A Sea of Hope | Protecting the Bight

The Great Australian Bight is a stunning marine sanctuary, where over a thousand kilometers of dramatic cliffs stand as a natural fortress, safeguarding the ocean's vibrant life. Among the most cherished visitors to these shores are the Southern right whales, a gentle giant whose presence is both awe-inspiring and ecologically vital.

You might not be familiar with this endangered species, but the Southern right whales are crucial to the health of our planet. These majestic cetaceans play a key role in carbon sequestration, oxygen production, and maintaining oceanic biodiversity. Their existence directly impacts not just the marine ecosystem, but also the air we breathe and the climate we experience.

However, the survival of the Southern right whales is increasingly jeopardized by human activities. One of the most destructive threats they face is seismic blasting—a technique used to explore the ocean floor for oil and gas. This method involves powerful bursts of compressed air that ripple through the seabed, disrupting natural behaviors for whales. Repeated and accumulated exposure to acoustic energy over an extended period of time could cause severe damage among whales and other marine species.

"To build a bridge of compassion and understanding for an animal like a Southern right whale that very few people even know about. You have to do a little more than just talk about it. You really have to create an emotional bridge, and we do that through film and photography," shares our co-founder Cristina Mittermeier.

In our latest episode, our co-founders embark on a multi-year expedition along Australia’s remarkable coastline to capture the beauty and resilience of the Southern right whales as they nurture their young in these protected waters. Accompanied by award-winning wildlife photographer Scott Portelli, Cristina and Paul aim to raise global awareness about the critical importance of these ocean leviathans and deepen our understanding of their underwater world.

Discover the extraordinary journey of the Southern right whales in our latest episode!