OceanWatch Australia works on a broad range of projects to improve environmental practices, protect marine species, reduce by-catch, introduce sustainable technologies, change behaviours and restore marine habitats.
![WetFeet WetFeet](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/WetFeet-square-86226ae25f34bf5ad7eea58ebc539abf-5ffcfdc6448ad.jpg)
WetFEET
This program assists Australian inshore fishers in embedding best-practice environmental stewardship into commercial fishing and aquaculture operations.
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![wildfire-4755030_1920 wildfire-4755030_1920](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/wildfire-4755030_1920-square-6e53a750fc04c389f71a672c02ebd4e8-5ffd04b65f0b8.jpg)
Bushfire Recovery
OceanWatch has been working in the bushfire space since 2020 on several projects to protect fish habitats, restore damaged habitats and build community resilience to bushfires.
![IMG_2723 IMG_2723](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/IMG_2723-square-038baaae390d0454892db69559f7c2bd-5ffce56a95048.jpg)
![IMG_2723 IMG_2723](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/IMG_2723-square-038baaae390d0454892db69559f7c2bd-5ffce56a95048.jpg)
OceanWatch Master Fisherman
The OceanWatch Master Fisherman program is formal training and assessment for professional fishers, raising the standard of responsible fishing in Australia.
![IMG_4855 IMG_4855](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/IMG_4855-scaled-square-f45572518c81a4988b27fabbf0a74065-5ffcfdc644c41.jpg)
![IMG_4855 IMG_4855](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/IMG_4855-scaled-square-f45572518c81a4988b27fabbf0a74065-5ffcfdc644c41.jpg)
Living Shorelines
An innovative project that provides shoreline protection and habitat creation through the use of natural materials to restore functionally-extinct shellfish reefs in the intertidal.
![Testing survey methods, Clifton Gardens, Sydney Testing survey methods, Clifton Gardens, Sydney](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Testing-survey-methods-Clifton-Gardens-Sydney-square-b32cefae35d6d3cfa12d4ffe5a9d6c31-5ffcfdbe0c25c.jpg)
![Testing survey methods, Clifton Gardens, Sydney Testing survey methods, Clifton Gardens, Sydney](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Testing-survey-methods-Clifton-Gardens-Sydney-square-b32cefae35d6d3cfa12d4ffe5a9d6c31-5ffcfdbe0c25c.jpg)
Litter Free Estuaries
OceanWatch is tackling litter in NSW estuaries through the development of a Litter Free Estuaries Framework, which enables coastal stakeholders to take control of local marine litter issues.
![pledge-1024x759 pledge-1024x759](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/pledge-1024x759-1-square-d72188861e3388a49895fe031289a399-5ffcfdbe0c5c0.jpg)
![pledge-1024x759 pledge-1024x759](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/pledge-1024x759-1-square-d72188861e3388a49895fe031289a399-5ffcfdbe0c5c0.jpg)
Source Reduction
OWA seeks to further the understanding of where marine debris originates by playing detective on focus items, the process of which is documented in Source Reduction Plans.
![IMG_4730 IMG_4730](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/IMG_4730-square-f6327845e59bdb5a11682201ff908d25-5ffcff8c9420c.jpeg)
![IMG_4730 IMG_4730](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/IMG_4730-square-f6327845e59bdb5a11682201ff908d25-5ffcff8c9420c.jpeg)
Tide to Tip
Tide to Tip is a series of Australian oyster industry led clean-up events through which farmers can lead and participate in clean-ups in Australian waterways.
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![pexels-photo-831084 pexels-photo-831084](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/pexels-photo-831084-square-4a2355dd6665a5ff9f7b15820198287d-ryp87eqvszbn.jpeg)
East Coast Whale Entanglement Mitigation
The East Coast Whale Entanglement Mitigation Program has been initiated in NSW to respond to the issue of entanglement with NSW set fishing gear.
![](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/oysters-o-square-7249ee2f1b829efd17b055a925a014e3-ydlqvp5om6nh.jpg)
![](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/oysters-o-square-7249ee2f1b829efd17b055a925a014e3-ydlqvp5om6nh.jpg)
Circular Economy
Working with the seafood industry, our aim is to move waste practice away from a linear pathway (from use to landfill) towards a more circular economy.
![894841_508740315829357_794738131_o 894841_508740315829357_794738131_o](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/894841_508740315829357_794738131_o-square-fbe7311eee7df213ca8b7c97b3ece746-rf79d06t1hxn.jpg)
![894841_508740315829357_794738131_o 894841_508740315829357_794738131_o](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/894841_508740315829357_794738131_o-square-fbe7311eee7df213ca8b7c97b3ece746-rf79d06t1hxn.jpg)
Fisheries Identification Improvement
The Fisheries Identification Improvement Program links strongly with Australian Marine Park values and strategies in NSW offshore fisheries.
![L&F(2) L&F(2)](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/LF2-square-7fe2ed9ec67fa4b232e8a69b7fca9d95-61bbda9fa01cb.jpg)
![L&F(2) L&F(2)](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/LF2-square-7fe2ed9ec67fa4b232e8a69b7fca9d95-61bbda9fa01cb.jpg)
Loaves and Fishes
Loaves and Fishes is a free seafood barbeque which has aimed to build community knowledge, unity and support for sustainable Australian wild harvest fisheries.
![urchin urchin](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/urchin-square-8812ef17aea38b8ac52ded96fffba15b-5ffce56a9549b.jpg)
![urchin urchin](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/urchin-square-8812ef17aea38b8ac52ded96fffba15b-5ffce56a9549b.jpg)
Urchin Barrens
The initiative supports the recovery of biodiverse, kelp-dominated reef by selectively controlling urchin numbers, and encouraging the development of the sea urchin fishery.
![communities of practice communities of practice](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/communities-of-practice-square-8205de67838b9feeb05bff8e23d370d7-6007b9dcc6a99.jpg)
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Communities of Practice
Collectively sharing knowledge helps focus relevant monitoring and research of marine assets and guides best practice on-ground environmental interventions.
![photo-of-sea-turtle-2765872 photo-of-sea-turtle-2765872](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/photo-of-sea-turtle-2765872-square-ebbee0842771259d4ff19010db13f2b5-6007b9dcc6d7a.jpg)
![photo-of-sea-turtle-2765872 photo-of-sea-turtle-2765872](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/photo-of-sea-turtle-2765872-square-ebbee0842771259d4ff19010db13f2b5-6007b9dcc6d7a.jpg)
TEP Species
OceanWatch is developing best-practice training materials to minimise bycatch and potential interactions between commercial fisher operations and TEP species.
![2 (24) 2 (24)](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/2-24-square-82964bab757e0d9de87e1b0d3befb5b0-600105f5c7edd.jpg)
![2 (24) 2 (24)](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/2-24-square-82964bab757e0d9de87e1b0d3befb5b0-600105f5c7edd.jpg)
NSW Oyster Extension
This encompasses a variety of projects, which support the implementation of best practice, helps identify & mitigate environmental risks, builds industry capacity & improves communication channels and networks.
![DSCF3347 DSCF3347](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/DSCF3347-square-d3edf7ddbdde0ecca1203c516dac6caf-6007b9e582c88.jpg)
![DSCF3347 DSCF3347](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/DSCF3347-square-d3edf7ddbdde0ecca1203c516dac6caf-6007b9e582c88.jpg)
Master Harvester
The Master harvester is a formal training and recognition program tailor-made for the NSW oyster industry.
![giant tangler giant tangler](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/giant-tangler-e1456987744998-square-1f7283e3d8a13f0b24abc3324060eb04-604ec485623d0.jpg)
![giant tangler giant tangler](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/giant-tangler-e1456987744998-square-1f7283e3d8a13f0b24abc3324060eb04-604ec485623d0.jpg)
TAngler Bins
TAngler bins are designed as a practical environmental solution for the recovery of lost recreational fishing line that litters recreational fishing hotspots.
![Georgia 2 Georgia 2](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Georgia-2-square-e9ff8071b6acfc4cb8756e38e4320456-611deaf212d17.png)
![Georgia 2 Georgia 2](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Georgia-2-square-e9ff8071b6acfc4cb8756e38e4320456-611deaf212d17.png)
OceanWatch Responsible Diver
The OceanWatch Responsible Diver Program is a formal training and assessment tailor-made for the NSW Abalone and Sea Urchin and Turban Shell Fisheries.
![Capture Capture](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Capture-1-square-e7bc34c0a46d55a187b9f0b4992b7a59-618b01e624e71.jpg)
![Capture Capture](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Capture-1-square-e7bc34c0a46d55a187b9f0b4992b7a59-618b01e624e71.jpg)
Marine Pests Education
OceanWatch developed an Australian Marine Pests Database: a searchable archive of existing materials on marine pest education and awareness.
![1836857_673274396042614_3894511307670223306_o 1836857_673274396042614_3894511307670223306_o](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/1836857_673274396042614_3894511307670223306_o-square-6ccc045aec4a596af93fd740f937545e-5ffe43a97b28e.jpg)
![1836857_673274396042614_3894511307670223306_o 1836857_673274396042614_3894511307670223306_o](https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/1836857_673274396042614_3894511307670223306_o-square-6ccc045aec4a596af93fd740f937545e-5ffe43a97b28e.jpg)
Engagement for Success
The Engagement for Success project is investigating community engagement from a seafood industry perspective.