26 September 2023

Ocean health in good hands of kids

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The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has launched a first-of-its-kind education strategy to help current and future generations become responsible stewards of the State’s iconic coast and estuaries.

Deputy Director General of NSW DPI Fisheries, Sean Sloan said the NSW Marine Estate Education Strategy would coordinate, develop and deliver education programs to promote a healthy marine estate to the NSW community.

“By focusing on sustainable use and building awareness of threats to the coast, our estuaries and marine waters, the strategy aims to build custodianship of this valuable natural resource, as well as provide tools to help care for it,” Mr Sloan said.

“The Education Strategy is a significant step to achieving meaningful and coordinated marine estate education while encouraging new partnerships with local government, coastal communities, schools and Aboriginal communities, who are all critical to its successful implementation.”

He said the overarching vision for the Education Strategy was “enhanced knowledge, sustainable use of and respect for the diversity of values derived from the marine estate”.

Mr Sloan said four objectives would guide the strategic implementation of this vision: Build awareness, knowledge and tools; Promote the wellbeing benefits of the marine estate; Foster informed decisions and responsible behaviours; and Facilitate opportunities for greater participation and involvement in marine estate management.

“Effective marine estate education requires a coordinated approach,” the Deputy Director General said.

“Partnerships among marine estate agencies, communities, schools, Aboriginal people, Local Government and other stakeholders are critical to implementing this Education Strategy,” he said.

“Together, we will focus on enhancing resourcing and building on successful programs to ensure meaningful interaction, maximise opportunities for implementation, and avoid duplication of effort.”

Mr Sloan said a curriculum-based primary school Marine Estate Agents program was being developed as part of the Education Strategy.

He said the program would feature lessons and learning resources to help raise awareness around threats to coastal waterways and help to influence behaviours positively.

NSW DPI’s 42-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.

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