WA World Ocean Day 2024

Here in Western Australia, we are fortunate to have nearly 13,000 kilometres of breathtaking coastline as our home. The ocean is more than just a backdrop - it's part of our history, culture, and way of life.

But the ocean faces challenges, both locally and globally. We need to take action to ensure this incredible resource stays healthy and vibrant for generations to come.

That's where you come in! We know many Western Australians share our passion for the ocean. 

On June 8, World Ocean Day, join The Jock Clough Marine Foundation at Gage Roads Brew Co to make a difference!

We'll be sharing ways you can take action in your everyday life, no matter your background or experience. 

Check out our website for more info on the event and how you can get involved.

Want to learn more about our speakers? Check out their bios below:

Welcome to Country, Emeritus Prof Dr Len Collard - Moodjar Consultancy

Len is a Whadjuk Nyungar Traditional Owner of the Perth metropolitan area. Len was awarded a Doctor of Education honors causa at Edith Cowan University and Emeritus Professor at the University of Western Australia in the School of Indigenous Studies in 2023. Len is currently a Director of Moodjar Consultancy working with stakeholders from government, commercial and non-profit sectors to share Noongar knowledge and culture, producing a positive impact for all sectors locally, nationally and internationally.

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz – Plastic Free July 

Rebecca is a change-maker, an experienced public speaker, TEDx speaker and sustainability professional who is motivated to care for people and planet. She is the co-author of “Plastic Free: The Inspiring Story of a Global Environmental Movement and Why It Matters”. In 2021 Rebecca was WA Australian of the Year Local Hero and is a Churchill Fellow. 

Dr Jordan Goetze – Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions  

Jordan is a marine ecologist working as a research scientist and leads a state-wide fish monitoring program across WA marine parks. Jordan’s research focuses on the assessment of fisheries and conservation management strategies and the ecology of marine fishes over broad scales. He has led an Australian-wide and global synthesis on fish, shark, and ray data to inform protected area design globally. This research has led to important management and design principles to improve conservation outcomes. 

Dr Taryn Foster – Coral Maker 

Taryn is the founder of Coral Maker, a coral reef restoration start-up developing technology to scale reef restoration. Trained as a coral reef scientist, her research focussed on climate change impacts on coral reefs. The technologies are now being tested at the Abrolhos Islands and Geraldton, and range from AI-driven robotic coral seeding and propagation, to mass production of stone products to scale coral deployment. 

Michael Wear - Tidal Moon

Michael is a Mulgana Traditional Custodian of Shark Bay in Western Australia and has spent 30+ years working on and around the ocean and supporting the creation of Indigenous jobs and livelihoods. Seeking to restore Indigenous cultural heritage by recreating Australia’s first export (sea cucumbers to Asia), Michael founded the Tidal Moon Sea Cucumbers Project in 2017. He united three Aboriginal communities, Mulgana (Shark Bay), Bayungu (Coral Bay/Exmouth) and Thalanyji (Onslow), to develop a viable commercial sea cucumber business to create economic opportunity, promote environmental stewardship, and provide a way for the younger generation to reconnect with and care for country. In 2023, BHP awarded Tidal Moon the breakthrough blue carbon grant to leverage Tidal Moon’s diving, cultural and scientific expertise to restore damaged seagrass beds in Shark Bay.

Dr Sahira Bell – Great Southern Reef Foundation 

Sahira is a marine ecologist, researching spatial patterns and resilience of marine ecosystems that are being impacted by climate change - but her roles in this industry go beyond just science. Sahira works directly with, and for, communities to promote their ocean values. This is a novel approach to marine science that combines traditional research with outreach but ensures her work contributes to meaningful and positive change.

Prof Alan Jamieson – Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre 

Alan has 24 years of experience in deep-sea science, technology and exploration. He is an authority on the hadal zone (depths greater than 6000 m) and has published >130 scientific publications and monographed the book The Hadal Zone: life in the deepest oceans. He has participated in over 80 deep-sea expeditions spanning every ocean and completed 25 deep-sea submersible dives from 500 to 10,700 m. He is currently Chief Scientist of the Research Vessel Dagon and the full ocean depth submersible Baku. 

Meet your MCs:

Jock Clough 

Jock, who inaugurated the first World Ocean Day event last year, has degrees in Marine Biology and Engineering and brings a unique blend of financial and marine science knowledge to the table.  

As chairman of the Advisory Board to the University of Western Australia’s Oceans Institute and a trustee of The Jock Clough Marine Foundation he is actively involved with marine science research and conservation. While a conservationist he believes in the pragmatic co-existence of human engagement with the marine environment. 

Dr Charlotte Birkmanis 

Charlotte, our WA World Ocean Day coordinator, is an experienced marine consultant and wildlife science communicator known as the ‘PR Manager’ for sharks and our oceans. A Max Planck Postdoctoral Scholar, she works on shark movement and behaviour, how predators regulate ecosystems and how media portrayal of sharks and other predators affects conservation. Charlotte is a ‘Superstar of STEM’ and ‘STEM Ambassador’ making science available to everyone through films, TV, talks, books, podcasts and radio, ensuring we can co-exist with wildlife, especially sharks. Charlotte spoke at last year’s event and is the Director of The Jock Clough Marine Foundation.