THE MISSION
The Australian Sea Lion Recovery Foundation was established by the team behind Sea Lions: Life by a Whisker with the aim to raise urgent funds needed for critical research of the Australian sea lion. Narrated by Sam Neil, this IMAX film is a heart-warming journey of a sea lion pup named Otto, and the man that has dedicated his life to saving this endangered species.
Otto’s hero - Marine Park Ranger Dirk Holman made this film possible, opening the door to three eager filmmakers who wanted to introduce Otto to the world. Dirk is on the front line of Australian sea lion research and conservation, yet does the majority of his work completely alone.
Australian sea lions are the only listed Endangered marine mammal in Australia that is still in decline. Whilst they are a beautiful and charismatic species to work with, it is devastating to see their numbers declining year after year. With so many pressures on ocean ecosystems, we need to better understand the stressors driving their decline and the measures we can put in place to ensure the species survive and thrive in the future.
We simply can not stand by and let this adorable and important species shift onto the extinction list. At the Australian Sea Lion Recovery Foundation, we believe that with your support, we can change that and preserve this iconic species for future generations.
Otto’s hero - Marine Park Ranger Dirk Holman made this film possible, opening the door to three eager filmmakers who wanted to introduce Otto to the world. Dirk is on the front line of Australian sea lion research and conservation, yet does the majority of his work completely alone.
Australian sea lions are the only listed Endangered marine mammal in Australia that is still in decline. Whilst they are a beautiful and charismatic species to work with, it is devastating to see their numbers declining year after year. With so many pressures on ocean ecosystems, we need to better understand the stressors driving their decline and the measures we can put in place to ensure the species survive and thrive in the future.
We simply can not stand by and let this adorable and important species shift onto the extinction list. At the Australian Sea Lion Recovery Foundation, we believe that with your support, we can change that and preserve this iconic species for future generations.
AUSTRALIAN SEA LIONS
The only endemic species of seal in Australia, the Australian sea lions are among the rarest marine mammals on earth. Their population is estimated to be less than 12,000 individuals strong, and in 2020, they were officially listed as an Endangered species in Australia due to decades of unsustainable mortalities from human-induced threats.
Australians often confuse the Australian sea lion with the Australian fur seal. Both species were hunted extensively in the 1800’s for their pelts. The fur seal population is recovering - the Australian sea lion has not, and their population continues to decline.
Living in some of the most remote and extreme areas of the Australian coastline, the plight of the Australian sea lion is largely out of sight for many. They exist far from the consciousness of the majority of Australians. Consequently, they continue to disappear in silence. They are facing an unsustainable, consistent, and rapid decline across their entire range.
The only endemic species of seal in Australia, the Australian sea lions are among the rarest marine mammals on earth. Their population is estimated to be less than 12,000 individuals strong, and in 2020, they were officially listed as an Endangered species in Australia due to decades of unsustainable mortalities from human-induced threats.
Australians often confuse the Australian sea lion with the Australian fur seal. Both species were hunted extensively in the 1800’s for their pelts. The fur seal population is recovering - the Australian sea lion has not, and their population continues to decline.
Living in some of the most remote and extreme areas of the Australian coastline, the plight of the Australian sea lion is largely out of sight for many. They exist far from the consciousness of the majority of Australians. Consequently, they continue to disappear in silence. They are facing an unsustainable, consistent, and rapid decline across their entire range.
About the team
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Sarah Beard – Board Member, CEO, Founder
Sarah is an accomplished film producer, impact producer and non-profit leader whose career spans over 30 years in film and television. As an ocean conservation advocate, marine-themed stories have always been Sarah's passion. Her award-winning ocean conservation documentary Blue has been called one of the most significant environmental films of our time. She is currently an Impact Producer for OCEAN with David Attenborough with Minderoo Foundation. In addition to her film work, Sarah was recently the CEO of the global movement Take 3 for the Sea, tackling the marine plastic pollution crisis. Sarah has appeared on numerous panels advocating for ocean protection and sustainability. Amelia McCarten – Founder Amelia is a Writer, director, and underwater filmmaker. As a commercial, technical, and cave diver, Amelia is passionate about producing visually arresting stories that inspire hope, call for change, and highlight the need for a sustainable approach to the world’s oceans. Over the last 10 years, Amelia has directed landmark documentary series, giant screen films, and blue-chip feature films. Lisa Vehrenkamp - Board Member, Treasurer Lisa has over 20 years of experience in marketing and general management at global organisations. Her corporate experience culminated in two general manager roles for American Express in Asia, running both the corporate and consumer businesses there. Currently, Lisa is also president and Founder of Launchpad Partners, a consulting firm that provides digital marketing, personal branding, and business strategy to small businesses, charities, and individuals. Erica Griffiths - Board Member Erica has over 30 years of experience in environmental management, sustainable development and community engagement, spanning the public, private, and tertiary education sectors. With over 15 years of consulting in the resource industry, Erica has developed comprehensive community engagement programs and is adept at encouraging pro-environmental behaviour from within. Erica brings her structured approach to environmental management and education to ocean protection. |
.Dirk Holman – Board Member, Sea Lion Expert
Marine Scientist Dirk has been monitoring the species for over a decade, most recently as Threatened Species Campaigner with Sea Shepherd Australia. The complexities of consultation, design, implementation and management of State and Commonwealth marine parks have defined Dirk’s work in Australia. Historical and current research projects include southern right whales, Australian sea lions, mulloway, penguins, shearwaters, white sharks and other marine species. Claudia Chatti - Board Member, Impact & Partnerships Claudia is an impact professional and partnership manager with a background in wildlife documentary production. She currently works on the impact campaign for Ocean with David Attenborough with Minderoo Foundation, supporting marine sanctuary advocacy and the UN 30x30 agenda. Experienced in managing stakeholder partnerships across government, corporate and non-profit sectors, she holds a Master's in Documentary from the University of Edinburgh. Chelsea Tromans - Digital and Social Media Manager Chelsea brings over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and social media management to the Australian Sea Lion Recovery Foundation. With a background in journalism, storytelling sits at the heart of everything she creates. She is passionate about using her voice to amplify awareness of the threats facing Australian sea lions, helping to strengthen public understanding, support conservation efforts, and contribute to a safer future for this endangered species. Lucinda Hatswell - PhD Researcher Lucinda is a PhD Candidate with Flinders University and the Australian Sea Lion Recovery Foundation, investigating foraging behaviours and habitats to inform stronger protections and recovery initiatives for this threatened species. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biodiversity and Conservation and completed her Honours research assessing environmental DNA as a detection method for platypus. Lucinda brings a deep passion for Australian wildlife - particularly mammals and marine life - and has worked as a research assistant at Flinders University across a range of conservation projects. |
THIS WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE GENEROSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, EVENT COLLABORATORS AND IN-KIND SUPPORTERS.
