Moves to save coastal rock platforms
Our coastline is an ever-changing thing.
The huge swells, pounding seas and extra high tides of recent weeks are a part of the oc~an currents' winter cycle.
Beaches are eroded during winter, only to be rebuilt during the summer cycle.
Still, for the crabs, sea snails and other creatures living in these areas such conditions present a daily struggle for survival.
And as if these factors were not enough to contend with there is increasing pressure from humans, both directly and indirectly.
Of major concem to many is the collecting of organisms from the rock platforms, and although 'bag Iimits' have been established they are often ignored or not understood.
This situation is about to be addressed by Project Aware, a marine education and training program funded by CoastCare, working cooperatively with Gosford City Council.
"The community in general needs to understand the special nature of these areas in order to work together to properly protect them from over-exploitation," said project coordinator David Roberts.
"Organisms are taken from the rocks for a variety of reasons.
"Fisherman collect crabs and cunjevoi for bait.
"Many sea snails, urchins and octopus are collected by some people for food, and others take home 'souvenirs' of their holiday.
"All of these factors are depleting our rock platforms and limiting the biodiversity of these fragile areas," he said.
Project Aware has been operating successfully in Sydney.
Gosford will be the first to offer the program outside the metropolitan area.
The program consists of a number of workshops and field excursions led by marine biologists from Sydney University.
Topics covered will include the ecology of the intertidal area, the role of NSW Fisheries Department, conservation and protection of coastal marine habitat, multicultural issues, and leaming about the marine organisms themselves.
Volunteers will be given 12 hours of free training in return for 20 hours of working within the community to raise awareness of the issues.
Workshops commence on July 8 and will be held over the next four weeks at Avoca Beach, Copacabana, Umina (Ocean Beach) and Wamberal.
Twenty-five trainees are required for the program.
If you would like to participate you may contact Gosford Council's environmental planner Brad Sneddon on 4325 8847.
Jeannie Lawson operates Umina-based eco-tourism business, Harmony Visions, which already conducts rock platform walks at local beaches.
Her business will help sponsor the project with on-going assistance after the workshops.
Several walks are planned for the coming weeks.
For more information, phone her on 4341 4291.
The Environment
with Jeannie Lawson