Coastal and Marine The coastal and marine theme includes the extensive coastal and marine areas of the South Coast region extending out to three nautical miles offshore. Key activities in the year under review include: Planning and On-Ground Activity Support Continued support for coastal community engagement activities and on-ground works is being facilitated by devolved grants available from South Coast NRM through the Southern Incentives 2010-2011: Southern Shores Coastal Grant Program. Eligible projects must implement actions in line with the guiding principles of the regional coastal strategy, Southern Shores 2009-2030. A total of 54 groups have been engaged: 21 in the devolved grant, 24 through the provision of technical, logistical and educational support and 9 others through support of projects attracting external investment. Through the Southern Incentives 2010-2011: Southern Shores Coastal Grant Program 9 grants were awarded in Round 1, 3 grants in Round 2, and 7 grants in a targeted approach. Individual project highlights directly funded by South Coast NRM through the Southern Incentives 2010-2011: Southern Shores Coastal Grant Program include standard hooded plover and shorebird signage around Esperance and Ravensthorpe areas, on ground works involving coastal community groups, partners and land mangers around Denmark, Parry Beach, Torbay/Muttonbird Beach near Albany, around Bremer Bay, Hopetoun and Esperance.   A number of local community groups have been successful in undertaking coastal projects around Denamrk, Albany, Bremer Bay, Hopetoun and Esperance with assistance from Coastwest 2010-11 and Caring for our Country Community Coastcare 2010-11 funding. It is this local action in each “patch” that collectively ensures that the entire coastline is actively managed and protected under the guiding principles of regional NRM and coastal strategies. Many school-based engagement activities have been run by the program personnel, including support for environmental monitoring of the coastal zone and practical action including marine debris clean-ups. Volunteers have been engaged through delivery of projects of the Southern Incentives 2010-2011: Southern Shores Coastal Grant Program Rounds 1, 2 & the Targeted Grant approach. Technical and logistical support is also provided to groups for ongoing restoration and rehabilitation maintenance work that does not require financial support. Other volunteers are supported by project personnel with projects which have attracted external funding. South Coast Management in partnership with South Coast NRM has continued to implement the regional coastal strategy, Southern Shores 2009-2030. South Coast Management Group with the support of South Coast NRM has delivered and published the proceedings from the second Vehicles in the Coastal Zone forum held in November 2010 and has established a Vehicles in the Coastal Zone Working Group for the South Coast Region. More information on South Coast Management Group activities can be found on its website www.southcoastmanagementgroup.org.au The Southern Incentives 2010-2011: Southern Shores Coastal Grant Program was recently showcased in August 2011 as part of a community event in Denmark facilitated by South Coast NRM and the South Coast Management Group. The event was a mix of presentations and practical field sessions and attracted over 120 participants from across the region and beyond. Engagement, Education and Awareness Raising Other activities keeping the Coastal, Water and Marine team busy this year include the Salty Summer and School Holiday Activities program held across the South Coast between Walpole and Esperance in January 2010 and across school holiday periods.  The events were well attended, with locals and visitors alike making the most of the beach-side activities on offer. People of all ages were involved, participating in kids’ games, guided beachcombing discovery walks, art activities and investigations in fisheries science and estuarine ecology. Partners in the program included the Department of Environment and Conservation, Department of Fisheries, Department of Water, WA Museum and South Coast NRM. Approximately 300 volunteers and youth have been involved in coastal and marine engagement, education and awareness raising activities across the region Other education and engagement initiatives that have continued to be supported by South Coast NRM during the year included the Albany Senior High School Marine Science Program, the Denmark Marine Science Program and the Esperance Bay Monitoring Project with the Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School, which has been operation for over a decade.