10/06/2026
Guest Speaker – Program Manager Lea from Ocean Connect
Today we welcomed Lea from Ocean Connect, who shared the inspiring and important work their organisation has been undertaking since 2013 to help communities better understand and connect with our local marine environment.
Funded through grants and community support, Ocean Connect combines scientific research, community participation and local knowledge to collect valuable environmental data and promote stewardship of our coastal ecosystems.
Their work includes monitoring seagrass meadows throughout locations such as South Stradbroke Island, Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek. These surveys help researchers understand the impacts of climate change, severe weather events and cyclones on our coastal environments.
Members were fascinated to learn that seagrass meadows are a critical food source for dugongs, with an adult dugong consuming up to 40 kilograms of seagrass each day. The health of these underwater ecosystems is therefore vital to the survival of many marine species.
Ocean Connect also undertakes sea slug and sea hare surveys, using these species as indicators of reef and ecosystem health. Different species feed on different marine plants and organisms, providing researchers with valuable insights into the overall condition of local waterways and marine habitats.
Thank you, Lea, for providing such an engaging presentation and for highlighting the important role science, community involvement and environmental stewardship play in protecting the natural assets we are fortunate to enjoy on the Gold Coast.