Blue World is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Valerie Taylor Ocean Prizes. With a prize pool totaling $35,000, we aim to support a range of initiatives across NSW that focus on ocean protection and marine conservation engagement.
Over all winner of the 2024 Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize: Professor David Booth & Giglia Beretta
The great seadragon census. This project will assist in establishing seadragon abundance estimates around Sydney and further south, it will engage citizen scientists (eg SCUBA divers, beach walkers) in monitoring populations, and provide critical data to determine their threats and conservation status. We will overlay data on a georeferenced habitat map to determine and then sample un-dived reefs to develop an overall picture of seadragon abundance across the region.
Congratulations to all the 2024 Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize Winners
Great Southern Reef-White Rock Educational Resource Kit
The Great Southern Reef Foundation have received a grant to develop the White Rock Educational Resource Kit to accompany their film “White Rock,” focusing on the urchin crisis on the Great Southern Reef. The kit will be tailored for NSW schools and linking to national curricula.
Thomas Mesaglio and his team: The Fishes of Sydney Harbour
The team from UNSW, Griffin University and the Australian Museum have received funding towards the printing costs of an exciting new publication. The Fishes of Sydney Harbour will be the first comprehensive field guide to all 684 known fish species from Sydney Harbour, and the first major Australian fishes field guide illustrated largely with photographs from citizen scientists.
Steph Scott : East Coast Algae Project
East Coast Algae, from the far north coast, will produce a library of Microalgae micro-documentaries for use in schools. The resources will help safeguard students’ connection to nature in a climate critical and pandemic prone world. Micro algae can be fascinating and beautiful- we can’t wait to see the beautiful footage!
Gamay Rangers with Vanessa Pirotta and Macquarie University– Professional Development
This team collaborate on the’ Connect to Protect’ Project, which includes the Indigenous monitoring of marine mammals on Sea Country, Gamay, Sydney.
They have received some funding for two members, Bryce Liddell and April Allende to attend the Marine Mammals conference in Perth, later in the year, to share their research and for professional development.
Treading Lightly Citizen Science at Collers Beach
Have received full funding for their project, Citizen Science at Collers Beach, Mollymook: Engaging the Community in Marine Conservation.
The project will aim to document marine species, conduct beach clean-ups, and educate volunteers about ocean stewardship.
Friends of Kurrawyba- Campaign
From the Central Coast Community Environment Network – the friends have received funds to Campaign for ‘No take’ Aquatic Reserve at Terrigal Haven.
Izabela Sajdok – Grey Nurse Shark project
Izabela is an artist who will be supported to paint a Grey Nurse Shark mural on the central coast. Izabela says ‘ A mural creates a wonderful way to connect every person to the magical world below the ocean surface that many don’t have an opportunity to see. This will be the first mural in the new Blue Wall program.
Marine Education and Research- I-naturalist Project
Their events are designed to connect scientists to the community. Nicole McMahon applied for a small equipment grant- an underwater camera, which they can use to incorporate their studies of marine behaviour of stingrays and stingarees in Parsley Bay and Camp Cove, and their other marine education activities.
Underwater research group – dive club: Equipment Grant
The club plays an important role in citizen science in Sydney. They will receive an equipment grant to assist in the maintenance of their dive boat.
Friends of Bongin Bongin Bay- Campaign programming
They will receive funds to assist in their campaign for a no-take sanctuary, which includes an event at Global Nature Positive Summit and programs with the local schools and groups.
Jess Hamilton- Seaweed People Website
Jess produces this fantastic podcast. Jess has received funds to assist with a new website and support materials.
Kal Glanznig and Cooper Chapman – Young Blue Minds (A Surfers for Climate project)
Kal and Cooper have received funds to assist in the development of events and workshops to empower youth to become ocean stewards.
Surfers for Climate- Ocean Literacy and education event
Surfers for Climate have received funds to support an event, showing the connections between ocean and climate change. The event will be presented by environmentalist Tim Flannery.
Randwick Marine Life- field guide project development
Jen Mather and Dr Jamila Gurovich have been documenting the marine life at Wylie’s Baths for several years. They have received a development grant to work on a field guide that will integrate cultural information and illustration with science identification.
Matraville Public School- Marine Education grant
Matraville Public School is a multicultural school with 40 different language backgrounds, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. The school have received a Science Program grant, which will include an excursion to the beach and a Blue Wall- a mural, as part of a new initiative aimed at public schools.
About the prize
Valerie Taylor, a renowned diver, photographer, and trailblazing conservationist, has dedicated her life to protecting and inspiring support for our ocean and marine life. These annual prizes have been established to honour her achievements and ignite action for ocean protection and restoration.
Australians share a strong connection with the ocean. However, the marine and coastal environments are increasingly pressured by factors including climate change, marine pollution, species loss, coastal development and increased human activity.
We welcome your ideas to conserve our ocean, instill wonder and engage our communities in ocean stewardship, throughout the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
The aims of the Valerie Taylor Ocean Prizes
- To make a direct impact on ocean protection and restoration.
- To create wonder, inform and activate our communities to protect and care for our oceans and particularly NSW marine eco-systems.
The prizes are assessed according to the following criteria:
- The focus and potential impact of the project, with reference to the above aims.
- The feasibility and cost effectiveness of the project.
- Innovation and creativity of the project.
- Entrants’ potential to manage and evaluate an effective project.
- Partnerships, community engagement, collaboration, interdisciplinary approaches.
Judging
The Blue World Board once again welcomed Emily Jateff to the judging panel.
Emily Jateff is the Senior Curator of Maritime Trade and Industry and inaugural Curator of Ocean Science and Technology at the Australian National Maritime Museum, where she develops programs and collaborates with science, industry and community to create content for the museum’s public-facing activities in ocean sciences, technologies, climate change and sustainability. She leads the museum’s ten-year program in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Emily is also the Chair of Inspiring NSW.
Prize Announcements
The prize winners were announced in August 2024, as part of Science Week celebrations. Many thanks to the Australian National Maritime Museum team for their support of our gala announcements evening. Many thanks to Duncan Heuer and Matt McMahon for their performance and underwater video footage.
Many thanks to Wallaby Water for sponsoring our event.
Stay in touch
Follow us on Instagram @blue_world_bondi
Download the 2024 Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize guidelines
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