Ryan Pereira shares volunteer award honour with his Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters team

RYAN Pereira wishes every member of his team could have their name on his award.

The Ziggy Megne Volunteer for the Environment Award recognises his conservation work, but he believes the people working alongside him at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, home of Sea Shelter, deserve to share the honour.

“It wasn’t just me. We all did that,” Mr Pereira said.

“I wish everyone’s name could be on the actual award itself, which would be amazing.”

From cleaning up mangroves to rescuing and rehabilitating turtles, the team’s work covers both caring for individual animals and looking after the wider marine environment.

They also help with events and participate in research projects where they can.

Mr Pereira said being nominated was a surprise. He described winning as “surreal” and said the team was “over the moon”.

Support from the community also meant a great deal.

“It’s all humbling when you get that kind of support,” Mr Pereira said.

While pleased with the recognition, he remains concerned about gaps in knowledge of the local marine environment.

Mr Pereira wants to see more research to help understand changes in the bay and guide decisions about how it is managed.

He said the bay supported oyster farming, fishing and tourism, giving the whole community a reason to care about its health.

“We shouldn’t view it as a resource. We should view it as home,” he said.

The team is continuing its conservation work and welcomes people who want to lend a hand.

Help is needed on the rescue team, as well as from people with skills in finding and applying for grants.

Residents can also contribute through simple actions, such as picking up a few pieces of rubbish each day.

“We want our marine space to stay clean and healthy, so we’ll help where we can and do whatever’s needed,” Mr Pereira said.

By Althea GUINSBERG