Join Dr. Pirjo Haikola for a guided snorkel tour and experience the underwater environment of the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. In this immersive event you will learn about the incredible marine environment in Port Phillip Bay and its ecological issues and opportunities.

Exploitation of marine resources are causing imbalances in our ecosystems. Many types of seafood and materials originating from the ocean are unsustainable. Sea urchins thrive in the changing ocean, which has few predators and too many nutrients. They devour the seaweed habitats, leaving behind underwater deserts. There are millions of sea urchins in Victoria alone, turning vast areas of a thriving marine ecosystem into a barren underwater landscape. We are the cause of the problem, but we can also contribute to solutions.

Access Requirements: Participants will have to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim 200m unassisted if over 14 years old or 100m from ages 8-13.

Participants will be provided with snorkelling items (masks, snorkels and fins) and full steamer wetsuits on the day.

Photos:  © Pirjo Haikola 

A guided snorkel tour of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary with Dr Pirjo Haikola.

Event co-presented by Pirjo Haikola and supported by Academy of Scuba. Waterfront is proudly presented by Centre for Architecture Victoria | Open House Melbourne, in partnership with Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and East Gippsland Shire Council. Waterfront is part of Melbourne Design Week 2021, an initiative of the Victorian Government in collaboration with the NGV.