The aim of this project is to help increase the effectiveness of coastal, estuarine and marine (CEM) conservation and management actions across South Australia by providing a range of information and training services. In order to ensure that these services are appropriate, a survey of people involved in CEM conservation and management was undertaken. The survey identified the highest priority information and training needs, as well as current sources of information and training.
Services
Access to up to date, relevant information was a major issue for the large majority of respondents. At the time of the survey, the three main sources of information were:
- the Australian' GovernmentNatural Resources Management (Coastal and Marine) Facilitator
- Regional Liaison Officers
- the Marine Coastal Community Network's (MCCN) weekly national and international 'Wetstuff' email news, monthly 'State E-News', and quarterly 'Waves' magazine.
However, with the change in funding arrangements under the Australian Government's Caring for our Country program, funding for all three ceased on 30 June 2008. This clearly created a significant gap, which this project has sought to fill through the establishment of a fortnightly email news service entitled 'C-News'. Cliick here for the latest edition.
A web-based resource service is also being established to provide access to a variety of information and resources relating to the priority topics identified through the survey. Click the links below to access this information:
integrated coastal zone management
'at risk' coastal and marine species
impacts of climate change on CEM ecosystems
introduced coastal and marine pests
stormwater and wastewater management
clarification of the roles and responsibilities of NRM Boards in relation to CEM
In addition, training and information events related to the above topics/issues are being developed. In order to make this training available to as many people as possible, they will be delivered as 'live' on-line presentations. The first training session - on coastal vehicle access - is planned for November.
