As reported in the National cooperative approach to Integrated coastal Zone management (2006) the coastal zone is a vital asset to australia. Our unique coastal values and resources are an integral part of life for australian communities. Ensuring the ecologically sustainable use and development of the coastal zone is imperative moving into a future full of difficult management challenges.
In Tasmania, Australia’s island state with more coastline per unit land area than any other mainland state and more coastline than Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) combined, these challenges hold especially true. Tasmanian coastal values support a wide range of commercial and non-commercial pursuits. Coastal activities dependent on healthy coastal environments include commercial and recreational fishing; tourism; recreation; urban development; and aquaculture. Our Tasmanian coast also has important social, cultural and indigenous values, including recreation, coastal landscapes, amenity, sense of place, and access.
Economic, social, and industrial trends are placing greater pressure on coastal resources, threatening core values and presenting difficult resource use challenges. Tackling these challenges will require both awareness and action at the community level. Engaging, educating, and empowering the community on coastal values over the long term is the vision for the “Our Tasmanian Coast” campaign.
For more information or to donate to the “Our Tasmanian Coast” effort please contact Dr. Thomas Moore via email [email protected] or phone 0488 334 733.