Tasmania’s conservation council, Environment Tasmania, has launched a new effort focused on one of the States’ most unique and prized assets – Our Tasmanian Coast.

“Our Tasmanian Coast” is steering a course towards a well managed and sustainable coastal environment in which Tasmania’s diverse coastal values are protected, conserved, and restored, underpinning the economic, social, and environmental health of our communities. Our priceless coastline urgently needs our care to counter challenges from pressures like climate change, pollution, loss of public amenity, and inappropriate development.

“Our Tasmanian Coast” is looking for coastal champions, like you, to help look after our Tasmanian coastal lifestyle. You can sign up to get more information or check out OurTasmanianCoast.org .

Get your Falls Festival Memories at DigitalTasmania.com

“Nowhere Else on Earth: Tasmania’s Marine Natural Values” by leading marine consultant Dr. Karen Parsons is the first comprehensive collation of marine life research and reveals around ninety per cent of Tasmania’s marine life is unique to our region.

photo:ThomasMoorePhotography.com

Tasmania has a spectacular coastline and diverse marine environments which form an integral part of the lifestyle of many Tasmanians. Our coastal waters have natural values that are of global conservation significance on the basis of high biodiversity, unusually large numbers of unique species found nowhere else, and rare ecosystems within pristine underwater wilderness areas that rival World Heritage-listed lands.

For the first time, a report has been collated to summarise what we know about Tasmania’s natural marine values and showcase the remarkable and diverse marine life in our waters. It examines what makes Tasmania, including the mainland coast, offshore islands and spectacular subantarctic Macquarie Island, ecologically unique. Twenty six High Value Sites are identified for their remarkable features.

Download a colourful report summary full of fantastic images and information (PDF)

Download the full report (PDF)

Footage courtesy of Eaglehawk Dive Centre

Medium : Fine Art Photographic Works
Date : on until 1st February 2012
Location : The Dunalley Waterfront Café 4 Imlay Street Dunalley
Photographers: Duncan Giblin, Jimmy Emms, Stuart Gibson, Jasmin Latona

The Hindu God Varuna, originally a sky god – whose name means “the one who covers everything.” Varuna represents natures order in the universe against the forces of chaos. The early Hindu belief was that the Indian god of the sea, Varuna, lives in a celestial ocean, watching the deeds of folks down below.

Throughout the ages the sea was always seen as mysterious, a gateway to the divine. In a ritual known as the ‘Varuna Yajna’, followers of Varuna appeal to the god of water to invoke the deity for peace and prosperity.

With the mystery and power of the sea in mind, a passionate group of professional photographers have provided select images, that to them, represent the battle between order and chaos of the sea and its meeting place with us, the coast. The domain of Varuna is explored through each photographer’s personal connection with the ocean.

[editors note] // you’ll all be headed that direction over the next little while for lots of good reasons – so stop in and check it out.

View Stuart’s images on The Collective

When: 6pm for a 6.30 start, Thursday, 11th August

Where: Dechaineaux Theatre, UTAS Art School, Hunter St, Hobart

Cost: $5

Drinks & nibbles available from 6pm.

Environment Tasmania, Ocean Planet, Surfrider Foundation and the Australian Maritime College present the 3rd and final Oceans Winter Film Series for 2011.

Featuring:

>> Ocean Planet shortfilm
Drop into the unique and astonishing beauty of Tasmania’s marine environment.

>> Transparent Sea
Follow a life changing 36-day surfing, sailing, enviro odyssey chasing whales down Australia’s east coast.

>> Marine debris discussion panel
Join in a Q&A with experts about this challenging problem and what we can do about it.

>> Castles in the Sky
Be reminded of all the reasons you love the oceans in renowned surf-film maker Taylor Steele’s latest inter-continental epic.

Here are some of the changes that you will see:

• Coastal Waters forecasts will be provided individually for each coastal zone, with an
improved layout for easier reading.

• Coastal Waters forecasts may report 2 swells.

• Four new forecasts will be provided for the Derwent Estuary, Storm Bay, Channel
and Frederick Henry & Norfolk Bay. These forecasts will provide wind and wave
information for the next four days. Warnings will now be issued for these areas.

• Marine wind warnings will now be issued for today and tomorrow, and included in the
forecast. A statewide summary will show warnings for coastal and local waters.

• Four day forecasts and a small craft alert service will be provided for the inland lakes
on the Southwest plateau and the Central Plateau.

For more information: http://www.bom.gov.au/NexGenFWS/index.shtml

Download the info Brochures
Forecast improvements for TAS [PDF, 1.4Mb]
District forecast improvements [PDF, 605Kb]
Hobart & Launceston forecast improvements [PDF, 837Kb]
Marine service improvements for TAS [PDF, 937Kb]
Local Waters forecast improvements for TAS [PDF, 448Kb]
Wind Warning improvements for TAS [PDF, 963Kb]

Tasmania has some of the world’s most unique and diverse marine environments, with
around 90% of our marine life found nowhere else. Yet even though Tasmanians identify
strongly as islanders, many have never experienced this magnificent environment.

Tasmania’s Unique Marine Environment from Rebecca Hubbard, Marine Coordinator with Environment Tasmania.

Join Oceanplanet as we tour Tasmania’s Unique marine environment. For more info on how to get involved please visit our website at www.oceanplanet.org.au

Over a thousand copies of the film will be distributed through schools, community groups
councils, and events around the state, to increase awareness and support for a healthy
marine environment.

The film was made possible through funding from an NRM South Naturally Inspired grant,
which is supported by the Commonwealth Government Caring for our Country program.

Online services are always changing so if you have links you like send them along or post them in the comments for consideration.

See you in the surf or on the water.