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Marine & Coastal Links
The following is a selection of excellent marine and coastal websites nationally and internationally.
Marine and Coastal Conservation Sites
The Oceania Project (Australia)The Oceania Project, established in 1988, is a Not-for-profit, Research and Education organisation dedicated to Raising Awareness about Cetacea (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises) and the Ocean Environment.
- The Ocean Project (United States)
The Ocean Project is an initiative that draws on social research to create public awareness campaigns focused on the significance of the oceans and the role that each person plays in its conservation.
- The Community Environment Network
The Community Environment Network (CEN) was formed in 1997 as an over arching body to support individuals and groups in Lake Macquarie, Wyong and Gosford who are working for the environment.
- Shifting Baselines (United States)
Shifting Baselines is a "media project" that highlights prolonged decline in marine ecosystems. The project is a partnership between ocean conservation and Hollywood.
- SeaWeb Aquaculture Clearing House (United States)
To address the growing issue of fish farming in North America, SeaWeb established an information clearinghouse on aquaculture issues in 1998. This comprehensive site contains extensive information about the environmental impacts of marine farming.
- SeaWeb (United States)
One the world's best sites concerning marine conservation. SeaWeb is an independent, not-for-profit ocean information centre that reaches out to government officials, the media, and interested public.
- Reef Watch SA
Reef Watch is a community environmental monitoring project involving divers, snorkellers and beachgoers. Originally established in the 1990’s in association with the Scuba Divers, SARDI Aquatic Sciences and the Marine and Coastal Community Network, it is now , housed by the Conservation Council of South Australia and run by a community steering committee.
- Project AWARE Asia Pacific
Project AWARE Foundation is a nonprofit organization working with divers to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Get involved with coral monitoring activities, whale shark campaigns, international cleanups and more to make a lasting difference.
- Marine Life Society of SA
MLSSA aims to foster the study of marine life, promote education and public awareness of all life in the sea and to encourage the conservation and protection of South Australia's unique and beautiful marine environment. The MLSSA Photo Index contains images of SA's fish, marine invertebrates and plants.
- Illegal Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (UK & International)
This site provides background information on the key issues in the debate around illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, together with news stories, information on events, key documents and links to other relevant websites. The news section is updated two or three times a week, and documents and links added regularly.
- Great American Fish Count (United States)
An excellent site concerning this annual event in the USA that encourages divers and snorkelers to become involved in fishwatching.
- Fishers for Conservation
Fishers For Conservation Inc. (FFC) is an Australian based non-profit incorporated association educating, supporting and representing recreational fishers.
- EPBC Project
The EPBC Project is an information and advisory service that works to increase community understanding of the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).
- COMPASS – Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea (United States)
The USA’s COMPASS program communicates marine conservation science to policymakers, marine resource managers, journalists, and the public. The project is helping marine conservation science mature into a discipline that is less fragmented, better communicated, and better connected to and informed by policy.
- 102.7FM RRR FM's Radio Marinara
Melbourne’s Radio Marinara – Community radio for all things wet and salty. 9-10 am Sundays on 3RRR-FM 102.7.
- Australian Marine Conservation Society (Australia)
Australia’s only national group solely devoted to protecting the marine environment. AMCS is the host organisation of the Marine and Coastal Community Network and campaigns on issues including marine protected areas, fisheries, threatened species and land-based pollution.
- Carpentaria Ghost Net Programme
Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been lost accidentally, deliberately discarded, or simply abandoned at sea. They travel the oceans of the world with the currents and tides continually fishing as they progress through the waters. As they are unattended and roaming, they fish indiscriminately, not only catching threatened species but undersized and protected fish as well.
- Community Seagrass Project
The Community Seagrass Project is a NSW state government funded imitative through its Environmental Trust Program, and hosted at the CEN. The program aims at educating coastal communities about the importance of seagrass as a natural resource for the health of ecosystem functioning and water quality.
Marine and Coastal Science Sites
- Science Network Western Australia
ScienceNetwork WA is an online knowledge portal developed by Scitech in partnership with the State Government's Department of Industry and Resources. Recognising it can be hard to stay up to date on the latest advances in the world of science and innovation, ScienceNetwork WA provides articles on the latest scientific breakthroughs, news about upcoming events, stories focusing on science education, and profiles of our leading scientists and scientific organisations.
- Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (Australia)
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) was established by the Australian Government in 1972. The research of the Institute focuses on northern Australia and is selected to meet government priorities and policies.
- Australian Marine Sciences Association (Australia)
The Australian Marine Sciences Association promotes the marine sciences and encourages discussion and debate of marine issues. It is the largest and most broadly representative national professional body of marine scientists in Australia.
- CSIRO Marine Research (Australia)
The marine research division of one of the world's largest and most diverse scientific global research organisations. The site covers conservation management, estuarine and coastal waters, living marine resources, and the use of Australia's marine realm.
- OzEstuaries - Information about Australia's estuaries & coasts
OzEstuaries provides comprehensive information about Australian estuaries and coastal waterways. This information helps to generate a better understanding of coastal environments, the complex processes that occur in them, the potential environmental health issues and how to recognise and deal with these issues. OzEstuaries represents the collaborative efforts of more than 100 coastal scientists from a range of government agencies and universities.
Government Sites
- PILOT – Atlas of Australian Marine Fishing and Coastal Communities
Produced by the Bureau of Rural Sciences, this Atlas focuses on mapping and analysis of Australian wild capture commercial, recreational and Indigenous fisheries and their adjacent coastal communities. The Atlas is the first Australia-wide, comprehensive and authoritative mapping of fishing activities and their related coastal communities and provides decision makers with a valuable scientific resource to inform current and future marine and coastal planning initiatives.
- Victorian Coastal Council
The Victorian Coastal Council is appointed under the Coastal Management Act 1995 as the peak body for the strategic planning and management of the Victorian coast, and to provide advice to the Minister for Environment.
- Victoria's Department of Sustainability and Environment (Australia)
The marine and coastal section within the site of Victoria's Department of Sustainability and Environment holds extensive information on the State's marine and coastal environment, management initiatives and policies.
- State of the Marine Environment Report
The State of the Marine Environment Report (SOMER) is the first comprehensive, scientific description of Australia's marine environment. It was undertaken primarily to provide baseline information for the proposed Australian Marine Conservation Plan. It has also provided information for the Commonwealth government's new national State of the Environment reporting program which will report in 1996.
- State of the Environment Australia
In Australia, State of the Environment (SoE) reporting occurs at both the national and state/territory level.
- Natural Resource Management
This web site, hosted by the Australian Government, provides information about the integrated implementation of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP) and the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) programs at the regional level. The NAP and the NHT are cooperatively implemented by the Australian, State and Territory Governments.
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Australia)
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is the principal adviser to the Australian Government on the care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
- National Oceans Office (Australia)
The Australian Government's executive agency for implementing Australia's Oceans Policy. The Office is soon to become part of the Department of Environment and Heritage.
- 'Save Our Whales' website
The new Australian Government website, launched in May 2006, includes a range of information products about whale protection and also information for children and teachers.
- Coastlinks Victoria
The Coastlinks site has been established to:serve as a single entry point coastal and marine portal for Victoria;improve awareness of coastal and marine values, issues, planning and management;improve sharing and access to coastal and marine information and databases for the community and Government agencies;facilitate coordination and ensure an integrated approach is taken in planning and managing Victoria's coast and marine waters.
- Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (Australia)
The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (formerly the Department of the Environment and Water Resources) develops and implements national policy, programs and legislation to protect and conserve Australia's environment and heritage and to promote Australian arts and culture.
Industry Sites
- SPC Fisheries Address Book 2008 (Pacific)
SPC Fisheries Address Book 2008 (Pacific)
Abridged from: SPC Website
Full text: http://www.spc.int
The SPC Fisheries Address Book 2008 is currently available. In addition to more than 1,300 addresses covering 50 countries, the address book includes Exclusive Economic Zone areas, and population estimates provided by the SPC Demography Programme.
Download as PDF (76 pages; 1.57MB download):http://www.spc.int/coastfish/news/Address_Book/Address_Book.pdf
- The Australian Association for Maritime Affairs
The role of the AAMA is essentially to generate greater public awareness of maritime affairs. It is not oriented to single industries or interests but provides a focal point for all those with an interest in maritime affairs, especially those people in business, tertiary institutions, the marine professions and the public service who are concerned with any aspect of Australia's maritime affairs.
- Australia's Clean Marinas Programme
The Clean Marinas-Australia Programme is a national, voluntary accreditation system for marinas, yacht clubs, boat clubs, slips, boatyards and associated industry operators across Australia. The Clean Marinas-Australia Programme has been developed to support Australia's marine industries in its endeavours to protect our coastal and inland waterways.
- Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (Australia)
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) is the representative of the oil and gas exploration and production industry in Australia.
- Australian Seafood Industry Council (Australia)
The Australian Seafood Industry Council (ASIC) is the peak body representing the commercial fishing, aquaculture and post-harvest seafood industries in Australia.
- The Australian Aquaculture Portal (Australia)
Information on industry associations, training, handbooks, and equipment. The site also tracks the latest media concerning aquaculture.
Marine and Coastal Image Sites
- Oceanwide Images (Australia)
Oceanwide Images online stock photo agency specialize in marine life photography from both tropical and temperate oceans.
- Marine Life Society of SA
MLSSA aims to foster the study of marine life, promote education and public awareness of all life in the sea and to encourage the conservation and protection of South Australia's unique and beautiful marine environment. The MLSSA Photo Index contains images of SA's fish, marine invertebrates and plants.
- SeaWeb's Marine Photobank
SeaWeb's Marine Photobank aims to advance ocean conservation by providing compelling, high-quality marine photos, images and graphics at no cost for non-commercial use as well as for media use. The photobank aims to literally shed light through photos on pressing marine issues and human-related impacts on the ocean ecosystem. The photobank houses nearly 1000 images from over 40 photographers.
Dive Sites
- Earthdive.com
Earthdive and its partner, UNEP-WCMC is harnessing the power of citizen science by asking scuba divers everywhere to give the world's oceans a much needed health check!
- Project AWARE Asia Pacific
Project AWARE Foundation is a nonprofit organization working with divers to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Get involved with coral monitoring activities, whale shark campaigns, international cleanups and more to make a lasting difference.
- Underwater.com.au
This is a comprehensive website containing information on diving, snorkelling, freediving and marine aquariums around Australia. Underwater.com.au are the website designers for this website.
Marine and Coastal Societies
- Australian Coastal Society
The formation of an Australian Coastal Society was first planned at the national coastal conference - Coast to Coast, in Hobart in 2004. The ACS was then formally established at the following Coast to Coast conference in Melbourne in 2006. A constitution has now been formally approved and the first Annual General Meeting will occur at the 2008 Coast to Coast conference in Darwin.
Boating Sites
- Yachting Portal
Providing the latest yachting stories, news and contacts in Australia.
- Boating in Australia
The latest boating and yachting news from around Australia.
- Wooden Boats
Showcasing the latest news, events, photos and links - all about wooden boats.
Marine and Coastal Education Sites
- Hunter-Central Rivers CMA – Rocky Shores Education Resources
The Rocky Shores Resource Kit was developed by Newcastle City Council as part of an education program funded through the CMA's Education Grants program in 2007.
Supported by the Australian Government 