A 28-Minute G classification documentary about the ecological and social values of the South West Capes Region

OCEAN WALKING The Lower South West of Australia

Presents a wide range of ecological and social values via satellite, aerial, terrestrial and underwater imagery, interviews and narration.

Colourful, macro-bio-diverse coastal and marine species are linked with a range of habitats -- the meeting of the Southern and Indian oceans, warm and cold currents, the unique geomorphology of the coastal ridge, coastal freshwater seeps, and the pounding on the 150K Naturaliste-Leeuwin headland of the ocean and strong winds.

Love of the sea and its creatures, the magic of discovery, stories of some coastal sites, and some management issues and options are voiced by residents of the region – an elder of the indigenous Wardandi people, an international surfer, a recreational fisherman-discoverer of wrecks, an artist-coast carer, commercial fishermen, an Olympian swimmer lover of wildness, and children engaged in underwater marine studies.

The bottom line of this production is that the Capes Region – the Naturaliste-Leeuwin Ridge, Geographe Bay to the North, and Flinders Bay and estuarine areas to the South -- are impacted by historical natural resource use and, more recently, by upward of a million tourist visitors annually.

The region will be protected by a system of marine reserves after a period of community consultation begun in Autumn 2003. Ocean Walking credit graphics and the inside of the video cover provide contact details for the Marine Reserves and Parks Authority of Western Australia, and for the Department of CALM MARINE Conservation Branch.

OCEAN WALKING MARINE LIFE In The Lower South West of Australia

Presents marine species recorded for the documentary Ocean Walking at localities ranging from Geographe Bay in the north of the Capes Region to Flinders Bay and the mouth of the Blackwood River in the south of the region.

This video is complementary to Ocean Walking, and identifies 167 species by their scientific and popular names; their locations are visually identified, and captioned (name, habitat type, and latitude and longitude).

All species and location captions are printed inside the cover of the video. This A4 sheet can be removed and copied; enlarged to A3, it provides a poster for teaching purposes.

REVIEWS

This is an important video that raises awareness of environmental and cultural issues in the Capes region. In doing so, it highlights an area that is familiar to many Western Australians and leads the way for schools to promote, in students, an awareness of their own local environment.

Mary Herrrington, School Matters, Edition 8, June 2003
Curriculum Materials Information Service, Education Department of Western Australia

Our Teaching Society and Environment Program students were awed by a new awareness of the incredible biodiversity that we live with daily, but totally take for granted. The uniqueness of the video (Ocean Walking) is that normally watching a film on biodiversity or natural wonders, the content is 'out there' - overseas, over east, or somewhere else in general. To watch a video with the intent of watching 'out there' - and then finding it to be 'in here', at home, with reflections of oneself all through it - was a really eye-opening experience. Students (and I) found it to be very powerful.

Sandra Wooltorton, Education Lecturer, Faculty of Regional Professional Studies, Edith Cowan University.

The marine environment of the region from Geographe Bay to the Capes and down to Hardy Inlet is spectacular. Not only is the area of ecological importance but it supports a wide range of activities from nature appreciation to commercial fishing. 'Ocean Walking' captures these values with vivid images, informative interviews and evocative music, raising our awareness of both the importance of the area's ecological and social values and the need to conserve them.

Dr. Jessica Meeuwig
Marine Planner, proposed Capes Marine Reserve

Both (videos) are fascinating, beautiful and informative. The first dealing with human issues relevant to the SW, apart from making me proud to be associated with my region, provides a really good introduction to the people-environment relationship and the need for us to understand it if we are to manage for the future. The second concentrating on marine plant and fish species in the alternative marine environments in WA is both educational and exciting for the lay viewer. It was a pleasant surprise for me to see the diversity of life supported in "our" South West.

Congratulations on a great project.

Dr Geoff Syme, Research Director, Water Security and Sustainable Communities. CSIRO, Wembley, WA