Surfers overlooked in Coastal Policy
(Perth, Australia - August 18, 2010) Surfers, the largest user contact group of the marine environment in Australia, have been continuously disregarded by government policy makers.
Considered to be at the frontline of the coasts, more so than recreational fishers and divers, the opinions of millions of surfers across thousands of beaches in Australia, are being undervalued. In WA Marine Park policy in particular, concerns go largely ignored.
"It's a great shame and a slight to the very culture which has come to symbolise so much of our national identity", said Brad Farmer, founder of the Surfrider Foundation, Ocean Care Day and National Surfing Reserves. Farmer made the comments while speaking in Perth today.
"Just this week, we see Mr Abbott weakening Marine Parks, while in WA, surfers are simply not consulted by DEC when it comes to coasts and marine issues. It does not matter if the next week's PM wears a bikini or budgie smugglers to the beach - the future of the coastal and marine environment hangs in the balance and a new 'Ministry of Coasts' portfolio will go some way to pulling back the tide of destruction Australia faces in decades to come."
Mr Farmer said he would call upon whoever became the next Prime Minister to establish a ‘Ministry of Coasts' in 2011-12. Australia has 37,000kms of coast comprising vast marine resources across some 10,685 beaches - the coast is one of Australia's greatest generators of income and pleasure. Australia has the world's foremost coastal lifestyle culture and the largest number of surfers per capita in the world where 90% of the population live on the coastline. "We have specific Ministers for Climate Change, Ministers for Lands - it is high time the marine and coasts where acknowledged appropriately at state and federal level with a Minister for Coasts", Mr Farmer said. "With climate change/sea level rises/demographic ‘sea change' - the coast now needs new and special attention with national focus and funding."
Mr Farmer cited the example in Western Australia, where after two years of lobbying, the Barnett-Grylls Government had not supported the establishment of National Surfing Reserves, while in other states and countries, the program had been a runaway success.
"Surfers - particularly those in Western Australia - are being short changed by their government."
Comments
More national surfing reserves, now that's something worth fighting for...
But a 'Ministry of Coasts'? Seriously? Do we really need another government department to waste a shit load of money and deliver nothing..???
So what exactly is a National Surfing Reserve? Restrictions on booogey boarders, SUPs, ocean going kayaks, etc? If so im all for it.
Ministry of Coasts eh? So, I guess we'd better push for a Ministry of Mountains next? Ministry of Deserts, Ministry of Sand dunes, Ministry of Going Down the Street for a Pie and some Durries? All these areas are grossly under-represented at all levels of government!
I'm with you pete. The further politicians can stay away from surfing the better. Politicians live to regulate and tax no matter what side they come from.
If there's an accident in the surf and someone winds up injured, there'll be complaints to the "ministry of coasts" and we'll get a reactionary response from public servants from canberra who'll come up with regulations for surfing to prevent that from happening again. THat'll be the start, to take care of the welfare of surfers. Good start but I doubt it'll stop there.
I admire surfrider and support their goals but crikey, keep politics and most importantly politicians, out of the surf.
I have to say that the Surfrider Foundation does some amazing work. They should be commended for what they have done by keeping important issues in the public spotlight. Things like; desalination plants, industries pumping toxic waste into the oceans, marinas being built that will destroy surf breaks, gas and oil rigs on the west coast, the list is huge.
People taking a stand and making their voices heard loud and clear is the best way to get results. I, like many other lost faith in government departments a long, long time ago. Perhaps Surfrider would achieve even more if they lobbied more of us surfers to get off our collective asses and do something to help.
I’m as guilty as the next guy of watching our beautiful coastline being destroyed and over developed but not doing anything to help groups like Surfrider stop this national disgrace from continuing…. Keep up the good work Brad and make sure you let everyone know where we can help you out….