Protecting our marine and coastal environments

20th March, 2018

Perth NRM’s 2018 Coastal Forum focused on sharing knowledge about environmental change impacts and citizen science advancements to Western Australia’s coastal and marine environments.

The forum saw attendees from environmental groups, industry and state and local governments learn about the impact of climate change on fisheries, the new WA Coastal Zone Strategy, revegetation trials to investigate adaptations of coastal flora to a changing environment, and a new project for better identification of Carpobrotus sp.

Attendees were invited to participate in exciting citizen science programs for tracking marine life movements. The Redmap, Beachcombers Kit and Dolphin Watch citizen science programs sparked the interest of many participants who identified new opportunities for their group to learn more about marine and coastal environments by becoming involved in these high quality programs.

“Over time the community photos in Redmap will help scientists track if marine species are changing their usual distributions in response to changing seas and ocean warming”, explained Josh Brown from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Wide ranging discussions were had about how environmental changes will impact upon WA’s coastline and what steps can be taken to minimise the effects, through to the community’s response to the developing issue of marine debris and microplastics. Groups that are interested in learning about, conserving and protecting, the coastline can currently apply for Coastwest Grants 2018/19.

Perth NRM would like to thank the speakers for sharing their knowledge and time with us; Dr Nick Caputi, Michael Burke, and Josh Brown from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Fisheries section; Dr Holly Raudino from Marine Conservation at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Chris Lukes from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage’s Coastwest program; Dr Tomasso Jucker from CSIRO and Craig Wilson from Perth NRM.

Photo credit: Jamie Sorrell.

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