The Abyss Project aims to connect the Illawarra community with the incredible wildlife just off their coast. Photo: The Abyss Project.
A new Illawarra tour will take in the incredible sea creatures just off our shores to create connections with the environment and a passion for its protection.
The Abyss Project combines marine research, education and eco-tourism and was created by marine biologist and University of Wollongong PhD student Nathalie Simmonds.
Nathalie and scientific diver Carl Fallon founded the project in 2020 in Sydney and it quickly gained recognition and praise for its innovative programs which blended Western science with Indigenous cultural knowledge, before it closed due to the pandemic.
But when Nathalie experienced the Five Islands and wildlife that inhabited the oceans surrounding the Illawarra region, she saw an opportunity.
“I couldn’t believe that we had such documentary worthy wildlife in a beautiful nature reserve and no-one’s connected to it,” Nathalie said.
“I really just wanted to make something where we could visit the seal colony, we could be here during the northern whale migration and we could also have eyes on the migratory sea birds as well.”
The high-speed research vessel will guide a small number of people on an intimate, unforgettable journey of exploration with a ‘striking juxtaposition’ of the industrial coastline against the pristine islands.
But the tours are about more than just admiration, with Nathalie hoping to foster deep connections between people across the region and the animals that are right on their doorstep.
“As an environmental advocate I really believe that you need to have interactions to have intrinsic care and want to protect the environment,” she said.
“Yes, looking at whales from the coastline is a majestic experience but to have them come up next to the boat next to you and you see them and look into their eyes – you want to protect that animal for the rest of your life.
“It’s just instant connection that you can’t have elsewhere.”
UOW PhD student Nathalie Simmonds saw a unique opportunity to relaunch the initiative in the Illawarra. Photo: The Abyss Project.
The experience also focuses on education to foster environmental advocacy and conservation, and aims to spark wider conversations about what can be done to preserve our pristine coast and the environment more broadly.
“You can still have such a wonderful experience on a whale watching tour but I feel like I will be touching on deeper principles of climate change, fostering partnerships with ORRCA, how we protect our wildlife, who is protecting our wildlife, and why we have marine protected areas,” Nathalie said.
“I really want to educate the public to have this deep love, not just of whale watching or bird watching or the seals, but why they are so important to us as humans and where their roles in the ecosystem are and what they can do to protect the environment once they go home from the tour.”
This up close and personal experience could also have scientific benefits, with experts like Nathalie able to better assess the health and size of animal colonies, migration patterns and even identify individual animals that are photographed throughout the trip.
Although the relaunch is still in its early stages, connecting with schools to host specific educational experiences for young people, and engaging Illawarra’s Aboriginal community to explore the potential for cultural tours better explaining the significance of the Five Islands are also aspirations for future years.
Nathalie is even looking at potential business partnerships to boost the tourism impact of this experience and create greater offerings for visitors and locals.
“I am really hopeful that the people in the Illawarra will take this as an intrinsic part of their winter season and something that they look forward to having in the region and not having to travel north or south to have that experience.”
Eco-tours start through the winter season from 21 June, with only one 90-minute session each day.
To book tickets or to find out more visit the Abyss website.
