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Mon, 09 Dec 2024
By Tangalooma Island Resort
Once the largest whaling station in the southern hemisphere, Tangalooma Island Resort has since been transformed into a paradise of family-friendly adventure known for its huge array of fun activities across land and sea. However, its location on the stunning western beaches of Moreton Island / Mulgumpin comes with a huge responsibility; to care for and protect the waters of the Bay and the breathtaking array of marine species who live there. From playful dolphins and curious turtles to gliding rays and breaching whales, the bay is a sanctuary for wildlife and it was here that the first seeds of the EcoMarines were planted.
This story starts in the 1990s when a young PHD student, Mark Orams, (now Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at the Auckland University of Technology) needed a quiet space at the Resort to do some of his research surveys and was given permission to start using an unused conference room.
From there, together with one of the Tangalooma directors, Trevor Hassard, the Tangalooma Marine Education Centre was born. The centre created a space aimed at educating visitors about the marine ecosystem to foster a sense of environmental responsibility among the guests.
With demand for the educational program from local schools, and recognizing the power of the program, the Tangalooma Mobile Marine Education Centre (TMMEC) was launched to bring marine conservation lessons directly to schools. This program quickly grew, igniting a passion for the ocean in young minds, inspiring them to become future environmental stewards.
In 2014, as demand for the program grew, and recognizing the passion young people had for protecting their natural surroundings, Tangalooma Island Resort launched the Tangalooma EcoMarines, with the goal of educating and empowering students to take action within their schools and local communities, fostering a culture of sustainability which would extend far beyond the bay.
The Tangalooma EcoMarines was launched with just four schools, with early ambassadors quickly contributing ideas to protect their local environment, including Bulimba State School’s creation of a “Wrapper Free Wednesday” rap to inspire waste-free practices within their school. By involving students in shaping program activities, EcoMarines cultivated a unique, youth-led approach to conservation that both empowered and educated.
In 2022, following huge growth of the EcoMarines across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and into Far North Queensland, the Tangalooma EcoMarines transitioned into the independent EcoMarines Foundation. This pivotal change allowed the program to expand its reach far beyond Brisbane, including schools, communities, and corporate partners all across Queensland. Now with over 230 participating schools, the program empowers a generation of EcoMarines to lead initiatives like recycling, reducing food waste, and creating wildlife habitats.
Today, the EcoMarines Foundation stands as a testament to Tangalooma Island Resort’s vision and commitment to sustainability. The resort proudly continues to support the foundation, witnessing the profound impact that education and community involvement have on the protection of marine ecosystems.
In May 2024, Tangalooma hosted a record-breaking number of EcoMarines ambassadors on their annual Ambassador Training Days. This milestone event exemplified how far the program had come in fostering a new generation of sustainability-minded advocates. As we look to the future, the impact of the EcoMarines will continue to ripple through Queensland's communities, leaving a lasting legacy of environmental awareness and action.
About the author
Tangalooma Island Resort
Take the world's 3rd largest sand island…add a splash of sunshine, balmy sea breezes, a dash of discovery and a handful of adventure, and you've got Tangalooma Island Resort. An island oasis, just a 75 minute cruise from Brisbane.
11 Feb 2025