THE Hastings-based Dolphin Research Institute has a grand plan to improve and maintain the health of Port Phillip and Western Port bays.
This week the DRI launches its “i sea, i care communities” project which, according to the institute’s executive director Jeff Weir “invites the five million of us living around the bays to commit to simple actions that will help to protect our marine treasures”.
“If we can get only a fraction of us always picking up after our dog, reducing what we allow to drip, drop or blow into streets which is then flushed into the bay, then we will make a difference,” Mr Weir said.
“i sea, i care communities is also about sharing stories about our wonderful bays and great things that many groups in the community are doing. It’s also about supporting the institute’s work through volunteering, citizen science and donating.
“We understand that no-one is perfect and the challenges for families and businesses with limited time and budgets.
“We will help with ideas and encouragement. By finding small steps that we can all take, together we will build a community that cares enough about bays to change how we live around them.”
To get involved go to www.dolphinresearch.org.au and select the “i sea, i care communities” link.
Bookings are also open for the cocktail function launch of “i sea, i care communities” and World Oceans Day 6pm Friday 8 June at the Portsea Village Resort on www.dolphinresearch.org.au or call 5979 7100.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 5 June 2018
