Saltwater connection

www.dwsnt.com.au

Darwin has many sea turtles that are injured by boats in the harbor itself and the surrounding harbors and water ways. There are also many birds that find themselves entangled in fishing lines in the mangroves and due to our massive tides often find themselves drowned. Crocodiles are a very real threat to human safety when working around mangroves and big tides mean there is often not time to wait for a boat crew to become available in a very under resourced environment. Having a small boat and trailer would allow DWS increase its capacity to respond to these types of rescues improving outcomes for injured marine life. Many of the young people DWS works with are from saltwater communities or have never been on the ocean at all. With a boat and having a local indigenous educator and mentor on board DWS could increase the engagement of youth at risk or youth involved in the justice system. It would allow mentors and DWS staff to take these young people out into the mangroves hunting or rescuing injured wildlife 7 days a week.