News
OMER Expands Along the Great Ocean Road
The Otways Marine Ecosystem Resilience (OMER) Initiative continues to grow as surveys expand to new locations along the Great Ocean Road. OMER is a collaborative program led by the Conservation Ecology Centre (CEC) in partnership with Otway Ocean Care (OOC) and the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC).
OMER Update: Spring Survey Highlights, Project Progress & 2026 Plans
Another successful round of OMER surveys was completed in October and November, with CEC staff and an enthusiastic team of volunteers surveying Marengo, Blanket Bay, Skenes Creek, Parker Inlet, and Crayfish Bay.
These seasonal surveys form the backbone of the Otways Marine Ecosystem Resilience (OMER) initiative, which is building up-to-date ecological baselines for intertidal and subtidal ecosystems along the Otway coast.
Cultural Leadership, Marine Research & Citizen Science
The Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) is playing a pivotal role in building marine resilience along Victoria’s Otways and southwest coast through a pioneering research initiative that places Indigenous bio-cultural knowledge at the core of marine conservation.
Marine Monitoring underway
Over the past few months we’ve been developing survey methodologies, selecting study sites, building up our volunteer base and putting together training materials, field guides and maps for upcoming fieldwork.
Volunteer training in intertidal and subtidal survey methodology was held on 17 March
Writing Great Ocean Landscapes – Sunday 15 June in Jan Juc
Jock and Gregory will discuss their passion for South-West Victorian landscapes and seascapes and how they have shaped their writing, exploring their intoxication and some of the challenges they face with CEC ecologist and marine specialist, Dr. Kay Weltz. The conversation will be moderated by the wonderful Liz Waters, long-time friend of the CEC and champion of our ocean.