Great Barrier Reef Festival with Coral Sea Marina

Overview

From the 30th of July to the 3rd of August 2025, Melissa White, Director of SeaKeepers South Pacific visited Coral Sea Marina in the Whitsundays to strengthen our partnership, deliver educational presentations, and inspire participation in citizen science. Over two presentation—one for permanent berth holders and local organisations, and another for yacht crew and captains—we showcased SeaKeepers programs alongside our partner, Citizens of the Reef, who shared their global initiative to document reef health through high-quality imagery. Across both presentations, around 30 attendees received educational materials, 10 Sustainability Kits were distributed, and 4 vessels signed up to participate in citizen science projects including Coral Watch, Seabed2030, and Citizens of the Reef. As part of the Great Barrier Reef Festival, we joined a local seagrass planting initiative from Reef Catchment and co-hosted a Family Day booth with Coral Sea Marina, engaging over 100 children and families through hands-on marine education activities and signing up 8 new Coral Watch participants. The trip highlighted the value of collaboration, community engagement, and education in driving meaningful conservation outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef.