“Ningaloo felt like the final frontier for Now You See Me, remote, wild, and unlike anywhere else. But even here, we witnessed the devastating effects of climate change.
We didn’t set out to document coral bleaching, but were compelled to share this part of our story. Witnessing it in person, trying to make sense of it was heartbreaking. It's so important people realise what we stand to lose.”
– Sarah Gittoes
The Xanthe Project fosters creative pursuits to deepen connection to the marine world, including the film series NOW YOU SEE ME. The collection of short films, created in collaboration with our Creative Director Sarah Gittoes and filmmaker Alice Wesley-Smith raises awareness of the challenges facing Australia’s most endangered marine life and ecosystems.
From the looming industrialisation of places like Exmouth Gulf, to recent coral bleaching events in the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo, and the devastation of our underwater forests in the Great Southern Reef, our oceans are in crisis.
Strong nature laws are among the most powerful tools we have to protect fragile marine habitats and wildlife.
We have the opportunity to reform Australia’s national environmental law, to strengthen protections, stop habitat destruction, support species recovery, and ensure healthy oceans for future generations.
Our Nature Law Petition is closed, and we have handed over 2,446 signatures to the Federal Environment Minister, calling for stronger nature laws to protect Australia’s marine life and ecosystems.
Thank you for joining us in advocating for our oceans.
Next, we’ll wait to hear when the Australian Government introduces new legislation, and we’ll continue to share the beauty and challenges from beneath the waves.
Australia’s coastlines are home to some of the world’s most extraordinary marine life, from the iconic megafauna of Ningaloo to the surreal kelp forests of the Great Southern Reef. Through Now You See Me, our ocean conservation film series, we’ve captured what makes these ecosystems so precious.
But they’re under threat. Iconic natural places like Exmouth Gulf Ningaloo’s nursery face growing pressure from industrial activity and climate change. Without urgent action, we risk losing them forever.
Strong nature laws are the most powerful tools we have to safeguard fragile ocean habitats and wildlife. Australia’s national environmental law the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) was created to protect our unique wildlife and natural icons.
More than 20 years on, we have a crucial opportunity to modernise it, to strengthen protections, stop habitat destruction, support species recovery, and secure healthy oceans for future generations whilst supporting sustainable development.
Join SARAH & SEBASTIAN in calling for laws that:
Yes. While petitions are not legally binding, they are a vital way to demonstrate widespread public concern. When presented to elected representatives, like the Federal Environment Minister they can trigger debates, inquiries, or even legislative change. A petition with thousands of signatures sends a clear, collective message that cannot be ignored.
With reforms to Australia’s national nature laws on the horizon, we are handing over our petition Wednesday, 22nd October to the Federal Environment Minister, Senator the Hon Murray Watt.
Your privacy is important to us. When you sign, your name may be shared publicly to demonstrate collective support (e.g., as part of the final submission to the Minister), but your personal contact details will not be shared or sold. They are used only for the purposes of this campaign, such as confirming your signature or providing updates if you opt in. You can request to have your information removed at any time.
Beyond signing the petition, you can help protect Australia’s oceans by supporting our Xanthe Project partner the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS). We encourage you to also get involved with their initiatives:
You can write to your local MP to call for urgent action. Every action helps build momentum for real, lasting change.
For World Ocean’s Day 2024, SARAH & SEBASTIAN debut The Great Southern Reef, the 4th short film in their Now You See Me series. The film highlights a confluence of threats facing the southeast coast's vibrant marine wildlife and vulnerable enclaves due to climate change and overfishing. Watch the full film here.
SARAH & SEBASTIAN is honoured to present Now You See Me, Sharks and Rays, the third film in our short film series illuminating the Australian shark and ray species that are in desperate need of protection. Watch the full film here.
SARAH & SEBASTIAN is honoured to present Now You See Me, a series of short films, which aims to drive awareness around the challenges faced by Australia's most endangered marine life. The first film in the series shines a light on Australian sea lions, Australia’s only endemic marine mammal. Watch the full film here.
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