Introduction

=Introduction to the Stage 4 Coastal Rock Platform Environment Project =

Strange as it may seem, harsh environments provide some of the most diverse and beautiful assemblages of living things. Our most spectacular wildflower displays occur on infertile Hawkesbury sandstones and the barren soils of S.W. Western Australia. Coastal rock platforms are a more difficult environment supporting even greater diversity. A fascinating world full of all kinds of animals and plants that survive pounding waves, salt and baking sun. To these difficulties can now be added humans. Are we doing enough to conserve these unique mega-diverse areas?
 * Between a Rock and a Hard Place. **

Rock platforms are great places to learn about nature. They are a treasure trove of biodiversity, accessible to everyone and as much a part of the Australian experience as the beach. Remember bravely probing sea anemones or pressing sea squirts into water pistol action? What about the warm rockpools and their gardens of multicoloured algae or the search for the bizarre creatures that inhabit this strange world?



The most popular rock platforms are being denuded. Crabs, octopus, sea squirts, sea lettuce and sea urchins are taken by people for food and bait. Other species are loved to death. Children like to collect starfish and seashells to take home. One man was seen to take a sack full of live limpets which were killed to line a swimming pool (despite numerous empty shells washed up on a nearby beach)! Fossickers who leave rocks upturned expose delicate animals to dehydration or predators. High tide rock pools become polluted when the fish or bait discarded in them decomposes.
 * Harmless activities? **

In the long term such activities are unsustainable. Rock platforms occupy a miniscule area right at our doorstep.With 86% of Australians living on the coast the human impact can be intense. Bag limits placed on the harvesting of some species are of dubious value. Even if they could be enforced we canÕt rely on them to protect our most popular rock platforms. For example if just one person taking the bag limit of cunjevoi from Terrigal every day for a year would remove 7300. The legislation allows an unlimited number of people to take this number regardless of existing stocks! These laws are not promoting ecologically sustainable harvesting. With increasing population pressure (and the influence of multiculturalism on our diet) rock platforms are seriously threatened. Sustainable harvesting may be possible if more rock platforms are protected. As most of these organisms release their eggs into the sea, protected areas can replenish surrounding areas.
 * Can we conserve their biodiversity? **


 * Conservation or Resource Management? **

Below high tide NSW Fisheries manage fish and invertebrates with high priority given to the needs of recreational and professional fishermen. This need to balance conservation and exploitation is reflected in the variety of Aquatic Reserves. They include Refuges, Sanctuaries, Multiple Use Areas and Intertidal Protected Areas. In an attempt to provide greater protection, the skills of the NPWS and Fisheries are being combined in a new independent authority - the NSW Marine Parks Authority. The only marine reserve on the Central Coast - Bouddi Marine Extension, is a forerunner of this type of collaboration.

(Information courtesy of the  Rumbalara Field Studies Centre who have been very helpful to our project - the students of year 8 science).