About the Southern Sandy Straits
Marine Environment Group

Southern Sandy Straits Marine Environment Group Inc (SSSMeg) is a not for profit environment group concerned with the conservation and protection of the environment and ecology of the southern Great Sandy Strait region.

The group was formed in 2009 when we identified a need for a community action group focussing totally on the marine environmental issues in an area currently boasting such high levels of biodiversity and providing home to so many threatened and endangered species.

In addition to the current ‘Click and Save’ campaign our members participate in a number of hands on environmental monitoring activities including SeagrassWatch and MangroveWatch. The group is actively looking to further expand the ongoing monitoring and research activities.

Seagrass Watch at Kauri Creek

SSSMeg volunteers conducting Seagrass Watch survey in Kauri Creek

SSSMeg also respond to requests for public comment on marine planning issues at all levels of government including the Draft Queensland Coastal Plan, the Marine Mammal Review, the Gympie Region Community Plan, the Cooloola World Heritage nomination and so on.

We believe education is an important element of caring for the marine environment and participate in local events such as the Hervey Bay Seafood Festival, Tin Can Bay Seafood Festival and Lost Arts day with a view to providing information on the local marine environment and how we can care for it every day.

We are a 100% voluntary organisation with all funds raised by the group going directly into our environmental projects, including our current ‘Click and Save’ campaign.

As a local group we are able to give our 100% attention to the issues in our area. We see this as a strength with small community based environmental groups able to make a global difference by focussing on survival of threatened species within their area. If many small groups are able to do this then collectively we can ensure the survival of the species around the world.

Dwarf Minke Whale

Dwarf Minke Whale sighted in Tin Can Inlet - photo Gavin / Dolphin Ferry Cruise

This region is home to a wonderful variety of marine wildlife and they are the inspiration behind the current campaign as well as our long term goals.

As Bob Irwin says ‘We speak for those who can’t’

Join us or make a donation

Become a member of the Southern Sandy Straits Marine Environment Group by contacting us through our Contact page.

A donation will help fund our campaign as well as vital marine monitoring and research activities in our area. Please help us preserve our beautiful region as a safe haven for the dolphins, dugong, turtles and other rare species that call it home.

Southern Sandy Straits Marine Environment Group Inc (SSSMeg) has a Certificate of Sanction CP5405 (issued under the Collections Act 1966) from the Queensland Government Office of Fair Trading to conduct an appeal to raise funds.

SSSMeg is not an Australian Taxation Office authorised Deductible Gift Recipient.

Help with our campaign

Make a donation to help us place Bob's urgent letter (below) in newspaper advertisements around the country and on the web. As little as $5 will help us get closer to 1 million clicks! Safely donate via Paypal. As a totally voluntary group you can be assured that all funds go directly to our campaign and environmental work.

PROPOSED ADVERTISEMENT

Bob's Letter to you

Bob Irwin Very rarely does Bob Irwin ask for help. You all knew his son Steve - here is Bob's letter to you:


“Hi Everyone, I need your help. I need to show the world the amazing biodiversity and beauty of the Great Sandy Strait and what we’ll be losing, should the [proposed] marinas go ahead: the mangroves and the sea grass beds and the dolphins, dugongs and turtles will all be gone.

Enough Is Enough! This is no longer a local issue. These sea grass beds are the food source of the endangered dugongs and green turtles. The Great Sandy Strait has among the world's highest density of dugong, but their populations are dwindling worldwide; they are already extinct in the Maldives, Mauritius, and Taiwan. We need to make a stand and save some critical habitat for them now.

I will fight as long and as hard as necessary to preserve this pristine environment for our future generations - BUT - I can’t do it alone. I’d like to present the opinions of one million people (who also feel that the building of this proposed marina will wreck the biodiversity of this magnificent environment forever), to our State and Federal governments. This is the nursery for the Great Barrier Reef and the Pacific Ocean. This is where life begins, where it all gets started. We shouldn’t be interfering with it at all. We, as caring people, have to make sure we do our best to make sure this doesn’t happen.

Thank you for your support.”

Bob Irwin, November 2010.

'Click and Save' Tin Can Bay (in 3 seconds) at www.marina.tincanbaydolphins.com.au

Help fund our campaign and get some great books!

We must act now... Once they are gone, they are gone forever