Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve is 20 years old!
Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve turned 20 in March 2022. In a slightly belated celebration, Northern Beaches Council is holding Day at the Bay at Shelly Beach on Sunday, 5 May 2022, starting at 10am.
Come join in the activities including:
- Smoking ceremony and First Nations dance performance (10 – 10.30am)
- Kids’ art
- Marine talks and walks
- Meet the Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay volunteers
- Display of winning underwater photographs from the UNDERWATER! 2021 Photography Competition
- Live music all day
- Learn more here
The Aquatic Reserve was declared on 31 March 2002 after more than ten years of persistent and challenging consultation among state and local government and community groups. It is particularly special because it is also a no-take zone meaning you are not permitted to fish by any method, mine, destroy marine life or collect dead or alive organisms including empty shells. Read more about the history here.
The result to date is the fabulous biodiversity we swim through every day.
Many of your fellow swimmers are part of Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay (FoCTB). You might also like to join as a supporter or volunteer
What do FoCTB volunteers do?
- Educate visitors about the biodiversity of Cabbage Tree Bay
- Increase public awareness of conservation issues within the reserve
- Provide visitor information services which encourages appreciation of the reserves values
- Participate in relevant Northern Beaches council events to promote FOCTB
- Keep an eye out for illegal poachers/fishermen/people gathering from rock platform
- Inform Fisheries of illegal activity
- Update blackboard with information from divers and snorkellers (what they have seen)
Follow FOCTB on the Web, Facebook or Instagram
FoCTB volunteers
See you on Sunday after the swim!
Water temp:18.6
Winter swimming
The Winter swimming season is finally here! Although the water temperature may be a little colder than you might like, there are several advantages of swimming in winter, including flat seas, good visibility and no bluebottles. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that you can also qualify for a WINTER BADGE by swimming a minimum of 20 times between 1st June and 31st August. You must also swim in at least 7 different weeks. If you manage to do all of your qualifying swims without a wetsuit (or other thermal enhancing equipment), you will also qualify for the coveted WWW badge (Winter without wetsuit). Start now, and don’t forget to log your swims to qualify.
B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 14th June 2022
The speaker at our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday June 14th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, will be one of our swimmers, Dr Caroline West. Caroline, one of Australia’s best-known doctors, will explore the science behind memory improvement and what we can do to keep the brain young – simple steps that may really surprise you. Caroline is well known for her extensive medical media work in print and TV which includes reporting and producing for Ask the Doctor, Catalyst, Beyond 2000, Good Medicine and 60 minutes. Most recently she has been posted in Broken Hill working with the Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Service as well the Flying Doctor Service.
The cost of the dinner is great value at only $30 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.