The Reef Check Australia Coast to Coral Community Lecture series has started on the Gold Coast! Join us and friends at the Greenhouse Canteen and Bar Coolangatta for an evening of discovery, inspiration and appreciation of our local marine, coastal and catchment environments. Each month we have a new, interesting and engaging speaker.

This month whale extraordinaire Dr Olaf Meynecke will be sharing his extensive research and dedication to the protection of the marine environment!

Olaf graduated in Environmental Sciences from the University of Lueneburg, Germany  and began his PhD at Griffith University on the relationship between fish harvest and environmental drivers. During his research he developed advanced short and long term tagging methods.

After completing his PhD he continued his research in Marine Science with the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management on the Gold Coast. He now leads an international research project on the impacts of climate change on whales and also studies the health of humpback whales in south-east Queensland using drones. Olaf is CEO and co-founder of Humpbacks & High-Rises Inc - a not for profit research organisation dedicated to urban marine mammal research and protection.

Every year thousands of whales migrate along our shoreline. One of the most well-known species taking part in this annual migration is the humpback whale. Their migration patterns and behaviours have drastically changed over the years. These changes have been documented by citizen science based research undertaken by volunteer groups such as Humpbacks and Highrises. 

Olaf will present this exciting new research and outline the role that everyone can play to help improve our understanding and protection of the marine environment.

6pm: Event opens
6:30: Grab a seat (will go fast!)
6:45: Talk kicks-off
7:30: Tacos & good conversation!

Entry is $5 including a taco!

Please RSVP at our Facebook Event Page.

This initiative is hosted by Reef Check Australia, and proudly supported by Queensland Government Community Sustainability Action Grants, with amazing in-kind support from The Greenhouse Canteen and Bar Coolangatta!

Future talks will take place on the second Wednesday of each month.