OceanWatch Australia Ltd is a national not-for-profit environmental company that works to advance sustainability in the Australian seafood industry.
OceanWatch's key activities involve:
-
enhancing fish habitats and improving water quality in estuaries and coastal environments;
-
working with industry and local communities to minimise environmental impacts;
-
introducing industry and communities to sustainable technologies and behaviours.
Since its establishment in 1989, OceanWatch Australia has managed and administered a broad range of successful projects to improve environmental practices, protect threatened marine species, reduce by-catch, introduce sustainable technologies, change behaviours and restore important marine habitats.
To achieve these positive outcomes, OceanWatch Australia works in partnership with the Australian seafood industry, federal and state governments, natural resource managers, private enterprise and local communities.
In 2013, delivering on an election promise of further developing Australia’s sustainable fishing sector, Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce recognised OceanWatch as the NRM organisation with responsibility for enhancing fish habitats and the marine environment.
OceanWatch Australia Corporate Plan 2015-2020
OceanWatch Australia 2022 Audited Financial Statement
MEET OUR TEAM
OceanWatch Australia employs a variety of staff in our office with specialised knowledge and training. Currently, we have 7 core staff members contributing to a range of environmental programs and community outreach.
Lowri Pryce
CEO
With a background in social and corporate partnerships, environmental management and program design, Lowri has a deep commitment and over 20 years experience in working with industry, community and governments to create positive, sustainable behaviour change. As Executive Officer she is responsible for guiding the company program and operations, and developing strategic pathways for integrating the marine sector into NRM.
Simon Rowe
Program Manager Environment
Simon has a passion for plants and the people that thrive off them. He has worked in rural Australia and overseas, loves a yarn and being outdoors. His job centres on assisting Primary Industry and community in the fields of Landcare and Natural Resource Management, post the “tide to table” program he ran for 9 years devolving $8m in on-ground works. He is a graduate of the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program and actively challenges the advancement of best-practice environmental restoration. OceanWatch Staff since 2005.
Laura Stoltenberg
Program Manager Aquaculture
Laura joined OceanWatch in 2021, she works predominately with the NSW oyster industry delivering extension services. In her time at OceanWatch Laura has also worked on the Tide to Tip clean-up initiative, and environmental best practice training for the NSW oyster industry. Laura has a background in marine biology and environmental science, recently completing her PhD degree from Southern Cross University, where her research focused on coral reef metabolism the and impacts of ocean acidification on reef sediment dissolution.
Dave Schubert
Project Officer
Dave loves working on ground with industry, and believes grassroots innovation is key, he worked for OceanWatch between 2010 and 2013 as a SeaNet Officer providing extension services for QLD fishers. Since then he has been travelling the high seas as a Scientific Observer for Australian Fisheries Management Authority. His role invloved collecting data on fish stocks in all of Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries, as well as involvement in numerous bycatch reduction trials, and threatened, endangered, and protected species mitigation projects. Dave is now back at OceanWatch and working closely with Queensland fishers in the development of two Codes of Practice.
Marina Colvee
Project and events Officer
Marina, armed with a Marine Science degree and a Master's in Environmental Management from UNSW, is driven by a profound commitment to marine stewardship. With a fervent dedication to science communication and educational initiatives, she strives to empower communities with knowledge about sustainable practices in the seafood industry. Her passion lies in bridging the gap between academia and industry, fostering a social license for the seafood sector through transparent communication and collaboration. Drawing from her background in marine science, Marina seeks innovative solutions that not only conserve our oceans but also enhance the sustainability and reputation of the seafood industry.
Kristin Hoel
Project Manager – Whale Entanglement Mitigation
Kristin values spending time in/on the water, and is passionate about promoting coexistence with our marine environment through tangible progress in human use and exploitation of our marine resources. She has a background in fisheries social science, with a MSc from James Cook University, and brings with her ample experience working with the fishing industry on contentious issues. She joins the OceanWatch team to collaborate with industry to find innovative and effective solutions that help mitigate whale interactions with Australian fisheries.
Nina Prokhorova
Accounts Officer
Nina has a diploma in accounting from TAFE Sydney and has more than 19 years of experience in accounting in the development and construction industry. She is the office fixer who keeps all the finances and bookkeeping of the organisation. OceanWatch staff since 2018