It’s been a busy and exciting few months for UCF, with our work continuing to grow both at home and abroad. Board members and UCF supporters from Australia joined the annual Saving Philippine Reefs Expedition, seeing firsthand the long-term conservation work we continue to support, while we’ve invested further resources into Australian projects that complement our existing efforts and expanded support for new local initiatives. From strengthening marine conservation, community livelihoods and ocean literacy to supporting projects that are delivering some remarkable outcomes, including the world-first discovery of a glowing shark in Western Port, our reach and impact continue to grow. There’s plenty happening beneath the surface, and we’re excited to share a few of the highlights.
Projects Update
PROCOM Tour- Philippines
During the latest quarter, the ProComTour project continued helping coastal communities turn ecotourism into both a sustainable livelihood and a tool for conservation. Forty community members from three local organisations received training in ecotourism product development, business planning, pricing and marketing, while another 17 community leaders completed financial management and bookkeeping training. Detailed business plans are now being developed for initiatives including a mangrove river cruise, an established mangrove ecotourism site and giant clam viewing within a Marine Protected Area, with conservation, carrying capacity and financial sustainability built into their design. The project is also attracting strong local investment, including PHP 200,000 committed for a mangrove boardwalk and a further PHP 2 million funding request to expand community ecotourism facilities in Argao.
Ocean Literacy Portal – Australia
The Portal continues to expand its reach, with UCF funding supporting the completion and launch of its Victorian content, promotion to teachers, development of a national funding strategy and engagement with state and federal governments.
Recent work has focused on adding NSW resources, growing social media engagement, strengthening partnerships with the Blue Schools Network and promoting the Portal at major science, marine and teacher conferences. Website traffic also grew in Q2 2026, reaching 782 visitors and 894 sessions, highlighting increasing awareness of the Portal while identifying opportunities to encourage deeper engagement with its growing collection of ocean education resources.
NMCLAP – Phillipines
During the latest quarter, 33 Marine Protected Areas across Cebu were assessed, with many achieving or maintaining institutionalised management status, while scientific monitoring recorded encouraging coral recovery, healthy fish populations and green sea turtle sightings in several sanctuaries.
In Oslob, local fisherfolk helped design three proposed new MPAs covering 93 hectares of marine habitat, while eight MPAs in Badian gained their first comprehensive management plans. A community mangrove nursery is also supporting 2,730 native seedlings, alongside continued work to strengthen sustainable fisheries, conservation financing, local enforcement and community-led management across the region.
New Projects
Western Port Down Under
Western Port Down Under is a bold marine social impact campaign shining a light on one of Australia’s most significant yet overlooked marine environments. Building on UCF’s seed-funded Melbourne Down Under, which generated more than $5 million in free media coverage, the campaign combines a documentary, Living Book, schools program, tourism discovery trail, community screenings and an interactive Legacy Portal to bring Western Port’s extraordinary biodiversity and science to life.
By giving schools, communities and conservation groups access to compelling stories, imagery and resources, the project aims to inspire exploration, build pride of place and turn greater awareness into lasting stewardship of Western Port.
Dive in to find out more →
Ocean Guardians in Action
We’re training volunteer divers to join Australia’s Reef Life Survey Network, equipping them with the skills to monitor reef fish, seaweeds, invertebrates and habitat health using world-leading scientific methods. By expanding this network of citizen scientists, the project will strengthen long-term marine monitoring and provide the critical data needed to detect biodiversity loss, invasive species and the impacts of climate change.
Dive in to find out more →
NEWS
Philippines Makes Waves in Marine Conservation
The Philippines has surpassed several key marine conservation targets ahead of schedule, establishing 64 Marine Protected Area Networks nationwide and strengthening protection of globally significant marine ecosystems. At the 2026 Our Ocean Conference, the country also committed to new initiatives spanning marine spatial planning, fisheries science, coral reef recovery, blue carbon ecosystems and coastal resilience, reinforcing its growing leadership in ocean conservation.
Lights. Camera. Biofluorescence.
The Western Port Down Under team made a world-first discovery in Melbourne’s own backyard, becoming the first to observe and film biofluorescence in the Swell Shark (Cephaloscyllium laticeps). Captured using specialised underwater lighting, the footage revealed the shark glowing vivid green, a hidden spectacle invisible under normal conditions. The discovery attracted national media attention and is a powerful reminder of just how much remains to be discovered beneath the surface of Western Port.
An Honour Worth Celebrating
A huge congratulations to UCF Board Member Professor Grahame Coleman, who was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for his significant service to animal welfare science and human psychology. This prestigious recognition reflects Grahame’s outstanding contribution to research and the advancement of animal welfare over many years. We’re incredibly proud to have his knowledge, experience and commitment helping guide UCF and our work.
Saving Phillipines Reefs 2026 – Sumilon Island
In May 2026, CCEF’s international volunteer team returned to the waters around Sumilon Island, Oslob and Boljoon to survey coral, fish, seagrass, invertebrates and other indicators of ecosystem health, including the Philippines’ first MPA, established at Sumilon in 1974. While the full results are still to come, early observations suggest strong local stewardship across most surveyed reefs, despite evidence of recent typhoon damage. The findings will contribute to CCEF’s remarkable long-term dataset tracking decades of change in these important marine ecosystems.
Sea Smarts
Who Else Is Down There?
Think we know what’s living in our oceans? Think again. Scientists with the Ocean Census identified an incredible 1,121 previously unknown marine species in just one year, yet it’s estimated that up to 90% of ocean species remain undiscovered. Even Australia’s Coral Sea recently yielded more than 110 new species. From ghost sharks to bizarre deep-sea worms, we’re only beginning to meet the neighbours.
Make a splash
Want to help power real world conservation outcomes? You can now directly support our projects and impact work through our dedicated support page here:
https://unicoconservationfoundation.org.au/ucf/support
