“Help The Kelp” – Experts Meet To Find Solutions To Local Reef Health

A one-day conference in Narooma on 17 June is going to look at ways of dealing with threats to the health of south coast shallow rocky reefs. According to Nature Coast Marine Group spokesperson, Bill Barker, “This is a positive move. The challenges affecting these reefs are not well understood. Less productive bare areas known as urchin barrens appear to be spreading and the kelp forests that underpin the health of the marine environment appear to be declining. Climate change/ocean warming, historical overfishing of urchin predators and pollution are issues that need to be looked at, along with what can realistically be done to redress the balance. Maintaining ocean health has clear implications for our local community: it is important for the local economy and is needed to sustain the environment for its own sake and for future generations.”

The conference will bring together scientific experts from universities and government, marine estate managers, people working in the abalone, urchin and kelp harvesting industries, Indigenous representatives, conservationists, recreational fishers, ecotourism operators and concerned members of the community. They will review the science and first-hand experience. The various stakeholders will be able to present their perspectives and aspirations. In brainstorming sessions, they will seek to develop solutions for the restoration of kelp forests in southern NSW. Bill Barker added “while there will be an appropriate focus on culling urchins, the NCMG believes that natural controls should also be fostered.”

The Nature Coast Marine Group is hoping that the meeting will produce a roadmap that includes proposals for action and research that bring in all stakeholders in a cooperative approach. Bill Barker said “We hope to see a commitment from the NSW government to support sustained action over the longer term with the objective of promoting the health of our reefs into the future, for the benefit of the environment and the local economy. The role of the Batemans Marine Park will be important in bringing all stakeholders together and facilitating cooperative action.”