– CONSERVATION –

 

Jordan Askill supports conservation organizations to raise funds, awareness, and education for at-risk terrestrial and marine wildlife. He is a member of the Taronga Zoo Conservation Society fundraising committee for Zoofari and supports nonprofits, including Aussie Ark and The Sapphire Project. Jordan is currently working on a project to support Weedy Seadragon protection in the Great Southern Reef.


THE VAQUITA PROJECT


The Vaquita Project is a limited capsule collection of apparel and jewellery designed in collaboration by long-time friends: creative Jordan Askill and Double Rainbouu’s Mikey Nolan. In partnership with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the project aims to raise funds and awareness for Operation Milagro, Sea Shepherd’s campaign to protect the critically endangered vaquita porpoise in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. It is estimated that there are fewer than ten vaquitas left alive.
In July 2023, a vaquita calf was seen in the wild, which proves that wild vaquita numbers are strengthening with the dedication and support of Sea Shepherd’s actions. 

For more information visit: seashepherd.org/Milagro, doublerainbouu.com @seashepherdsscs @jordanaskill @double_rainbouu

Vaquita Project Image by James Giles. Featuring Joanna Halpin.

WHITE'S SEAHORSE BREEDING PROJECT

The White’s Seahorse is an endangered species found locally in Sydney Harbour and in our waters between Jervis Bay and Queensland. The White’s Seahorse, also known as the Sydney Seahorse, is one of three Seahorse species endemic to Australia.

The natural home and habitat for these creatures are sponge gardens, seagrass meadows, and soft corals. In Sydney, there has been a massive seagrass decline over recent years, causing remaining Seahorse populations to rely on manmade structures for their habitat. This is leading to further displacement and dramatic population decline. Scientists at the University of Technology Sydney are collaborating with organizations such as the NSW Department of Primary Industries and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and together have started to recover the White’s Seahorses by implementing a new breeding and conservation project. In this critical program, Seahorse babies are being born into custom-built tanks at Sea Life. The male gives birth to up to 100-250 young at a time, and the juveniles are then carefully re-introduced into the harbour. They are observed weekly by a team of divers and a UTS master research student.

For more information on the White’s Seahorse Breeding Project and to donate, please visit: https://www.visitsealife.com/sydney/whats-inside/seahorse-breeding-program/.


Inside the Whites Seahorse Conservation Program breeding facilities. Photographer: Alice Wesley-Smith.