Life on the edge - The coast

Life on the edge--The coast

Most Australians live within 50km of the coast. What we do on the land affects the health of the ocean. For centuries we have dumped our waste at sea. Runoff from farms, and pollution from city streets and sewage have poisoned the marine environment. In NSW, 85% of coastal wetlands where fish breed have been replaced by urban development. Most of us eat seafood so it makes sense to take care of the ocean and our fisheries.

Pisces Marine Aquaculture snapper ready for market. A trial is underway to test the feasibility of full-scale commercial snapper farming, 3 km off the coast near Port Stephen, NSW. Photo by Powerhouse Museum (Marinco Kojdanovski)

Stormwater carries litter, oil, and heavy metals from city streets to the ocean. There are many initiatives to clean up our waterways including people working together in groups such as Streamwatch. Streamwatch is an environmental action network in NSW that enables communities to take care of local waterways. Schools and individuals regularly use kits to monitor water quality. They pass results on to industries, government departments, Catchment Management Committees (CMCs) and Catchment Trusts to help decision-making. The success of the program is based on co-operation between the diverse members of the community.

This handy little 'dog poo' bag shows what individuals and 'best friends' can do for their waterways!
Photo by Powerhouse Museum (Sue Stafford)