Ningaloo's Nursery

Introducing Ningaloo's Nursery, the final film in the Now You See Me ocean conservation series.

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Now You See Me

The Xanthe Project fosters creative pursuits to deepen connection to the marine world, including the film series NOW YOU SEE ME. The collection of short films, created in collaboration with our Creative Director Sarah Gittoes and filmmaker Alice Wesley-Smith raises awareness of the challenges facing Australia’s most endangered marine life and ecosystems.

“Ningaloo felt like the final frontier for Now You See Me, remote, wild, and unlike anywhere else. But even here, we witnessed the devastating effects of climate change. We didn’t set out to document coral bleaching, but were compelled to share this part of our story. Witnessing it in person, trying to make sense of it was heartbreaking. It's so important people realise what we stand to lose.”

– Sarah Gittoes

FILMS IN THE SERIES

Ningaloo's NurseryGreat Southern ReefSharks & RaysAustralian Sea LionsThe Reef
FILMS IN THE SERIES
Ningaloo's Nursery Great Southern Reef Sharks & Rays Australian Sea Lions The Reef

Nature Law Petition

From the looming industrialisation of places like Exmouth Gulf, to recent coral bleaching events in the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo, and the devastation of our underwater forests in the Great Southern Reef, our oceans are in crisis.

Strong nature laws are among the most powerful tools we have to protect fragile marine habitats and wildlife.

Our petition has closed and was delivered on Wednesday, 22nd October to the Federal Environment Minister, Murray Watt, calling for urgent, comprehensive reform of our national nature laws.

About Our Nature Law Petition

Australia’s coastlines are home to some of the world’s most extraordinary marine life, from the iconic megafauna of Ningaloo to the surreal kelp forests of the Great Southern Reef. Through Now You See Me, our ocean conservation film series, we’ve captured what makes these ecosystems so precious.

But they’re under threat. Iconic natural places like Exmouth Gulf Ningaloo’s nursery face growing pressure from industrial activity and climate change. Without urgent action, we risk losing them forever.

Strong nature laws are the most powerful tools we have to safeguard fragile ocean habitats and wildlife. Australia’s national environmental law the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) was created to protect our unique wildlife and natural icons.

More than 20 years on, we have a crucial opportunity to modernise it,  to strengthen protections, stop habitat destruction, support species recovery, and secure healthy oceans for future generations whilst supporting sustainable development. 

Join SARAH & SEBASTIAN in calling for laws that:

  • Enforce strong National Environmental Standards
  • Reject developments that cause climate harm
  • Fund habitat restoration and species recovery
  • Close loopholes that let nature be exploited
  • Guarantee First Nations leadership and community voices

Yes. While petitions are not legally binding, they are a vital way to demonstrate widespread public concern. When presented to elected representatives, like the Federal Environment Minister they can trigger debates, inquiries, or even legislative change. A petition with thousands of signatures sends a clear, collective message that cannot be ignored.

Our petition has closed and was delivered on Wednesday, 22nd October to the Federal Environment Minister, Murray Watt, calling for urgent, comprehensive reform of our national nature laws.

Beyond signing the petition, you can help protect Australia’s oceans by supporting our Xanthe Project partner the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS). We encourage you to also get involved with their initiatives:

  • Protect Ningaloo: Help stop industrial threats to Exmouth Gulf and the fragile ecosystems of Ningaloo Reef.
  • Strengthen Nature Laws: Join the push for strong, enforceable environmental protections under Australia’s national laws.

You can write to your local MP to call for urgent action. Every action helps build momentum for real, lasting change.

The Xanthe Project

A philanthropic initiative supporting ocean conservation.

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THE JOURNAL

Now You See Me, The Great Southern Reef—A Sarah & Sebastian Short Film

Maintenant vous me voyez, le Grand Récif du Sud – Un court métrage de Sarah et Sebastian

À l'occasion de la Journée mondiale de l'océan 2024, SARAH et SEBASTIAN présentent «The Great Southern Reef», le quatrième court-métrage de leur série «Now You See Me». Ce film met en lumière la convergence de menaces qui pèsent sur la faune marine foisonnante et les écosystèmes fragiles de la côte sud-est américaine, en raison du changement climatique et de la surpêche. Visionnez le film complet ici.

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