Coast Marine

The Coastal and Marine environments of the South Coast Region are among the most pristine and scenic in Western Australia.

Most coastal towns enjoy keen community group involvement in coastal management, through either the South Coast Management Group, government initiatives such as Coastcare or Coastwest or through programs run by local governments.

As understanding of the growing knowledge of our fragile and unique marine fauna species populations and their environments increases, the need for establishing action oriented projects and programs rises.

This knowledge is coupled with the increased demand for urban development and recreational opportunities in coastal settlements, which is also creating the urgent requirement for positive on ground NRM activity.

South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc. and its partners are focusing management efforts on the Region’s coastal zone and the marine areas.

NRM activity in the coastal and marine area will ensure that the community and all levels of government work together to plan and improve the quality of coastal and marine environments now and into the future.

We will foster important scientific research to fill knowledge gaps and make sure that community-initiated coastal and marine management, awareness raising, education and stewardship activities are supported.

SCNRM IconText - Marine.aiSouth Coast NRM Assets

060818_MG_1245.tifCoast and Marine

The communities of the South Coast Region attach a high value to coastal recreational areas and popular fishing spots. The coastal and marine environment of the Region are among the most pristine and scenic in Western Australia.

Priorities for coastal and marine activity focus on research and inventory to document coastal and marine environments, planning activities, on ground activities and building community capacity through education and awareness raising initiatives and community forums

Achievements to date include:

Documenting Coastal and Marine Systems and Communities

The Marine GIS Information and Resource Compilation identified and acquired GIS datasets and reports relating to marine environments and their use.

It has also provided a collation of aspatial information, compiling bibliographies of research on marine habitats and known marine environmental information across the South Coast Region from Cape Leeuwin to the South Australian border.

Fisheries Management – Fisheries Ecosystems and Stewardship

The Estuarine Fisheries Research Project has completed its sixth season of sampling (Autumn 2007) with samples being collected from the Broke, Irwin and Wilson Inlets, Oyster Harbour and Wellstead Estuary. Broad findings of preliminary analyses were presented to the Albany and Denmark communities and other stakeholders.

Regional NRM investment contributes to the Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officer Program and Volunteer Activity and Education Coordinator Position and Program.

Managing Impacts on our Coastal and Marine Environments

The implementation of High Priority Actions from the Southern Shores Project has culminated in:

The establishment of a program in the local pilchard fishery at King George Sound, Albany, to reduce the by-catch of fleshy-footed shearwaters (a protected migratory bird) has resulted in recorded observations of the bird habits, enabling solutions to problems that threaten both the shearwater population and the future of the local fishery.

South Coast Introduced Marine Pest Project

Assessment of the current status and future risks of introduced marine pest species occurrences in Albany and Esperance marine areas were conducted. This included a trial monitoring program in Esperance harbour area and linked with the State Introduced Marine Pest Project.