Marine Science 2016 Edition

Page 468 Chapter 18 Figure 468.3 Student excursion to offshore island (Photo Len Zell) Figure 468.1 Snorkelling and diving are a great way to learn about the sea. (Photo Len Zell) Figure 468.2 Environmental organisations try to educate the public. (Photo Bob Moffatt) • data storage and analysis of information (using computer databases such as Geographic Information Systems GIS). Australia’s EEZ is vast and largely unexplored, marine ecology is a very complex subject, and marine research is time-consuming and very expensive. Quite often we don’t know enough to answer the planners’ questions. In these cases the precautionary principle dictates that they should err on the side of caution. Environmental education: Important for community support It is important that Australians know about the marine environment, and the threats to it. Care comes from understanding. Once we understand the consequences of our actions, we will accept the reasons for controls, and can even develop ourselves better ways of doing things. ESD requires the support of the wider community and possible sacrifices in life-style. Public environmental education, particularly in subjects such as the one you are currently studying now, is essential so that future generations are better informed. We live in the information revolution where we are bombarded with information by radio, newspaper and TV. The Internet is already a major source of information. The environment is frequently in the news. The sea is a popular subject on TV adventure stories and documentaries. Australians are becoming more environmentally aware. Public perceptions are being changed through education. Only a decade ago the shark was a feared man-eating monster. Now it is a graceful predator which should be preserved. Stakeholder involvement Environmental management generally involves regulating the behaviour of particular industry or community groups involved. These are sometimes termed stakeholders . It is now widely recognised that if stakeholders are to support a plan, they need to be well informed and actively involved. (In the past, governments generally passed laws, and then told people they must obey, or else! It was an unpopular approach, and not very successful.)