Hi, my name is Jo Hurford. I have joined the Top End team as a Marine Campaigner for the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

I have always had an affinity for and interest in the ocean, despite growing up in Bathurst, country NSW. After snorkeling in the Galapagos, I decided there was a whole other world to discover beneath the surface, and so I completed my open water dive certificate, assuming that would be enough. It wasn’t.

It was a magical night under the stars as supporters gathered together at the Rapid Creek foreshore for a Free Screening of Disney Oceans. 

The film took us deep into the world's Oceans, into the very waters that sustain all of mankind, exploring the harsh reality and the amazing creatures that live within. 

Thanks to our local scientists Rachel Groom and Carol Palmer, who spoke about some of our treasured local species and the need to protect them. 

And thanks to our many Top End Sea Life supporters who took action and signed postcards for better marine protection! 

It was great to see such an enthusiastic crowd at World Turtle Day! The weather was perfect and we had a very special guest appearance from a local, Australian endemic flatback turtle.

A big thank you to local turtle scientist Rachel Groom, Territory Wildlife Park, Darwin Aquaculture Centre and Sea Darwin for all your help. I look forward to seeing you all next year!

A big shout out to all the people who came to our Nightcliff Island celebratory paddle! 

It was great to see so many of you all in support of protecting our precious Ludmilla Bay from inappropriate development. It truly is a spectacular part of our coast and so close to Darwin city. 

Thanks to Fun Supplies for donating their time, energy and kayaks and stand-up paddle boards! Thanks to the Environment Collective for sharing their excellent knowledge of mangrove systems and MLA Natasha Fyles, who spoke about the importance of coastal and marine conservation and our environmental future in Darwin. 

If you missed the NT New column, you can read about it here.

Come along to our annual celebration of World Turtle Day on May 23rd. This year we will be celebrating at East Point opposite Lake Alexander. We will be kicking off the afternoon with fun face painting, followed by a fabulous turtle talk from local turtle scientist, Rachel Groom. There will be sand- turtle competitions and much more. So come along from 3PM. Bring the whole family and learn about everything turtle-y cool! 

Please RSVP here for this fantastically FREE event!

As the dry season kicks in, Top End Sea Life have got lots of fun and interactive activities coming up. Check out our events page for future events and activities. 

Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival is held on 2 May along the Nightcliff foreshore. Top End Sea Life will have a stall at the community village. We will be there from 2pm until dark! So come and say hello and get your photo taken with some local sea creatures! 

The Sea & Me

The Sea & Me, a new film documenting the extraordinary seas surrounding Australia and the inspiring people who look after it, has been touring the nation’s coastal communities. Here you can meet some of our marine caretakers in the comfort of your own home. 

Thanks to all the great Darwin folks who came and took part in our sell-out screening of The Sea & Me! Special THANKS to Darwin Museum, ECNT, our hosts Sea Darwin, Venture North, and Save our Marine Life and all our volunteers. It's great to see a community come together to support our precious ocean! A great night was had by all!

Thanks to all the people who managed to make a submission to the Commonwealth marine reserves review! If you haven't already done so, please take the time to make a submission today. Submissions are due 31st March. 

The Chief Minister has announced a extension of the moratorium on seabed mining in response to our media statement. We have called for the permanent ban because of the damage seabed mining would do to the marine environment.  Seabed mining destroys marine habitat including mangroves, corals and seagrass, and smothers fish feeding and nursery grounds. This habitat supports rich marine life such as fish, dugongs and turtles, and needs permanent protection from seabed mining.

HI! My name is Jacqui Taylor, a Darwin-born local! I am the new Northern Marine Campaigner for the Australian Marine Conservation Society. I’m based out of the Environment Centre NT and replacing Samantha Nowland. This is just a quick note to introduce myself and let you know that I’ll be updating you with news and issues facing our Top End Sea Life.

I recently took a boat trip up to the Vernon Islands and Glyde Point, a short boat ride from Darwin. What a magnificent part of our Top End, a place dripping with wildlife, birds, pristine mangroves and exquisite corals that encircle a series of intriguingly deep blue holes. Amidst many species of mangroves live a plethora of birds and fish. 

The commonwealth marine reserves review’s panel is coming to town. That’s right, after ten years of solid science, community consultation and submissions, the federal government is reviewing the country’s national network of marine reserves. On the 18th and 19th of March you are all invited to attend the two-day decision making process which will determine if these bioregional marine plans will be kept or thrown away.