Our Story

Protecting this part of a natural world has been our inspiraton since 2023. Our goal is to create a marine sanctuary zone for current and future communities to enjoy.

Become a Bay Keeper

Values

Positive
Professional
Proactive
Persistent
Principled

Mission

We are an ocean-loving community dedicated to preserving BBB through advocacy for a marine sanctuary zone. We are working with our elected representatives to safeguard our Bay by the end of 2027 and enable it to thrive for future generations.

Vision

To preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of Bongin Bongin Bay, ensuring its marine ecosystems thrive for future generations.

Benefits of a Marine Sanctuary Zone

A sanctuary zone provides full protection for marine environments by banning all forms of fishing, spearfishing and the collection of marine life. Local success stories like Cabbage Tree Bay (Shelly Beach, Manly) show how these zones can restore balance, boost biodiversity, and benefit marine species and be enjoyed by the ocean-loving community.

Things to know about sanctuary zones:

  • No fishing, spearfishing, or collecting of invertebrates like squid, octopus, or cuttlefish
  • Bigger fish lay far more eggs — a 30cm fish can produce as many eggs as 2,000 smaller ones
  • Fish stocks recover, supporting food source for larger species and marine birds
  • Ocean life spills over into nearby areas where fishing is allowed, taking a holistic approach to ecological balance
  • Clear rules make enforcement simple — no exceptions, no excuses
  • With time, the environment can restore its natural balance
Cabbage
Tree Bay aquatic reserve
Photo by Lara Gribbin

Who We Are

None of this would be possible without our incredible team, partners and supporters.

Meet our Steering Committee

Greg Pride
Beata Edling
Mark Buhagiar
Lorna Raine
Lisa Grauaug
Ian Coffey
Katie Frankish

Greg, Beata, Mark, Lorna, Lisa, Ian, Katie

Thanks to our Partners and Supporters

Honouring our traditional Garigal custodians

The Friends of Bongin Bongin Bay acknowledge the Garigal people of the Wannangine Guringai Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the earth and waters where Bongin Bongin Bay is located and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia. We honour their continuing culture and connection to land and sea. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect and recognition to all First Nations peoples.

Bongin Bongin Bay

Performed by Peter Colledge and his daughter Shani

Bongin Bay home to the Eagle Ray
Octopus and Cuttlefish
So many living things
Down, down below  

It’s their space
‘mongst the seagrass without a care
Life is good while left alone
We cannot dare destroy their home  

But their life is insecure
Without our help they will be fewer
To take them from their pristine space
Will leave us in a darker place

So let’s save Bongin Bongin Bay
So let’s save Bongin Bongin Bay