COASTAL MANAGEMENT GEOGRAPHY What is Coastal Management Coastal

COASTAL MANAGEMENT GEOGRAPHY

What is Coastal Management? • Coastal management is about managing development along the coastline in a sustainable way. • Coastal management is very important in Australia due to our long coastline and love of the coastal lifestyle.

We must be aware: • The ocean is not a garbage dump for our waste products. • The ocean is not an infinite source of food. • The coastline has a delicate ecosystem and needs to be protected. • The public, governments and organistations must manage and protect our coastines.

Activity One. • Using an atlas and a piece of string estimate the length of the Australian coast. • Hint: The answer is less than 50, 000 km but more than 10, 000 km.

The Australian Coastline • The Australian coastline is estimated to be 36 735 kilometers long. • Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Australia is responsible for the management of 370 kilometers around the continent and territories. • Australia is therefore responsible for 16. 1 million square kilometers of ocean.

The Australian Coastline • • NSW VIC QLD SA WA NT ACT AUSTRALIA 1900 km 1800 km 7400 km 3700 km 12500 km 6200 km 35 km 36735 km

The State Of Out Coastline • Australia’s beaches are under constant threat from developers, storm water pollution, sewage, litter and oil spills. • There is evidence of beach damage, declining water quality and over fishing as well as a direct loss of coastal wetlands, mangroves and sea grass beds.

Human Impacts include; • Discharging effluent at or near our beaches at a rate of 3 billion litres per day. • Litter including plastic bags, food wrappers and cigarette butts. • One in five beaches is threatened by developments such as housing, tourist resorts, golf courses and marinas.

QUESTIONS • Explain why there is increasing concern about the state of Australia’s coastline? • Why is the Australian coastline more difficult to manage than those of many other countries? • Why do you think Australians have a preference for living near the coast?

PARKS VICTORIA • The main aim of Parks Victoria is to develop an outstanding park and waterway system that it protected and enhanced by people. • Conserving, protecting and enhancing environmental and cultural assets.

RAMSAR WETLANDS • Managing areas and/or functions within Victoria’s internationally important wetlands – or RAMSAR sites; listed under the Convention of Wetlands. • RAMSAR sites close to Melbourne include Port Phillip Bay and the Bellarine Peninsula.

Environmental Management Program • Establishing a range of projects that aim to improve the condition of Victoria’s parks and waterways.

Pest Animal M’ment • To control populations of animal pests where they threaten native species and ecosystems. • Pest species include foxes, rabbits, feral cats, pigs, goats and wild dogs. The aim is to reduce pest numbers and allow native species to increase.

Native Animal Management. • Controlling the number of native animals as increasing populations can have a negative impact on vegetation and other animals.

QUESTIONS • What are some of the difficulties Parks Victoria have in managing sites throughout Victoria? • What issues do Parks Victoria face in dealing with animals? • Why are seabed grasses so important in coastal ecosystems?