Environment

Watch out for whales  
Marine wildlife of WA's north-west

As part of an ongoing commitment to marine conservation, ExxonMobil has supported the production of a new guide to assist in identifying marine wildlife in the north-west of Western Australia.  The handy guide, produced by the WA Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), will increase knowledge about the distribution of threatened and other little known marine animals like the spotted dolphin and help to improve their management and protection.  The guide also provides useful tips on conserving marine life and keeping coastal islands pest free.

Copies of the guide are available from DEC offices in the region or can be downloaded from the Marine Parks WA website.

Download poster : Marine wildlife of WA's northwest. 

Western Port Seagrass Partnership

Western Port Bay has experienced significant declines in seagrasses due to water turbidity from catchment run off and erosion.  Western Port Seagrass Partnership was established in 2000 to develop a network of organisations to address issues associated with the decline of seagrasses.  Seagrasses are an important contributor to the nutrient and food cycle of the Bay and play an important role in maintaining the stability of mud banks and water quality.  Seagrasses are also important in the marine ecosystem (provide shelter and food for marine species) and contribute to the quality of the wetlands that has made Western Port Bay famous for its migratory birds and lead to its listing as a RAMSAR site.

ExxonMobil Australia has been a supporter of Western Port Seagrass Partnership research projects and is the major sponsor of a new DVD – Western Port Cherished and Challenged.  The 40 minute DVD covers the history of Western Port, showcases beautiful underwater and landscape photography and highlights the decline of seagrasses.  The DVD is available free of charge from the Western Port Seagrass Partnership website.

Tracking seals in southern waters

ExxonMobil's commitment includes support for the latest in satellite-tracking technology to assist in a long-term study of seals that gather on our Bass Strait platforms. The seal research, which is conducted by Phillip Island Nature Parks (PINP), has provided valuable data on the foraging and diving habits of Australian Fur Seals.  PINP has used the research to develop a DVD to help provide secondary school teachers with classroom activities and information about seals.    

Learn more about Phillip Island Nature Parks' seal study.

Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre

The Marine Discovery Centre at Queenscliff, on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, plays an important role in helping students to better understand and care for the marine environment.

ExxonMobil's support includes laboratory equipment, sponsorship of a series of posters highlighting the unique sea-life in Australia's southern waters and a set of marine habitat posters.

Sea Search

The Sea Search program is a joint initiative between The People and Parks Foundation, Parks Victoria and ExxonMobil. The program aims to involve the community in the scientific monitoring of marine parks and sanctuaries in Victoria.

The program has grown from four community volunteer groups in 2004 to 17 volunteer groups actively monitoring Marine Protected Areas across Victoria.  Volunteers are given training and a marine survey kit to collect scientific marine data on intertidal rocky shores, sub tidal rocky reefs and sea grass beds.  With our support Sea Search has produced community education resources, including a brochure on mangroves and a marine monitoring kit for schools.  

Learn more about Sea Search.

Peregrine falcons

ExxonMobil supports the Peregrine Falcon Conservation Program, in partnership with Birds Australia.  Peregrine falcons are an endangered species and are considered to be one of the rarest birds of prey in Victoria.

ExxonMobil's Altona refinery and Longford Plants are both regular hosts to peregrine falcons nesting on towers in the facilities.  Staff work with the Peregrine Falcon Conservation Foundation to place nesting boxes on the towers and to monitor and record progress of new chicks.

Learn more about the hatching of peregrine falcon chicks at Mobil's Altona refinery and Esso's Longford Gas Plant.

Dolphin Research Centre

The Dolphin Research Institute conducts research in southern Port Phillip, Western Port and the Gippsland Lakes to gain a greater understanding of the resident dolphin populations in these regions.

Waterwatch - Gippsland

We support a Waterwatch program where schools and community groups get involved in analysing and monitoring water quality of waterways and coastal inlets.

Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek - Altona

This dedicated group of volunteers is involved in the regeneration of parkland and reclaimed industrial land.