Costal management/ Marine tourism

• Coastal erosion


  The loss or displacement of land, or the long-term removal of sediment and rocks along the coastline due to the action of waves, currents, tides, wind-driven water, waterborne ice, or other impacts of storms
• Natural causes of coastal erosion

  • Rising sea levels
  • Reduced sediment supply
  • Changes in wave climate
• Human-induced causes of coastal erosion

  • Sand extraction
  • Coral mining
  • Coastal development
  • Recreational activities
• Effects of coastal erosion

  • Loss of land
  • Increased flooding
  • Habitat destruction
  • Economic impact
• Accreting beaches

  Beaches gaining sand due to constructive waves and sediment deposition
• Accreting beaches

  • Cause: Constructive waves during calm weather carry sand up the beach
  • Effect: Beach widens, providing more area for habitats and human activities
• Eroding beaches


  Beaches losing sand due to destructive waves and erosion
• Eroding beaches

  • Cause: High-energy waves and storms remove sand, often depositing it offshore
  • Effect: Beach narrows, leading to habitat loss and increased vulnerability to storms
• Sea walls

  Protect shore-side structures from wave action
• Sea walls

  • Impact: Can increase erosion by reflecting waves; protect property but may damage beaches
• Groynes

  Trap sand to widen beaches
• Groynes

  • Impact: Cause sand buildup on one side and erosion on the other; alter natural sediment flow
• Breakwaters

  Protect harbors and coastlines by dissipating wave energy
• Breakwaters

  • Impact: Change beach profiles; effective in reducing erosion but can alter sediment distribution
• Sand bypass systems


  Systems that artificially transport sediment to maintain navigation channels and manage erosion
• Sand bypass systems

  • Impact: Prevents inlet clogging and maintains beach width; expensive and requires ongoing maintenance
• Artificial reefs


  Man-made structures placed underwater to mimic natural reefs
• Artificial reefs

  • Role: Protect coastlines by dissipating wave energy; provide habitat for marine life
  • Impact: Long-term erosion control; minimal environmental disruption; create new habitats
• Beach nourishment

  Adding sand to an eroding beach to restore its width and protect coastal areas
• Beach nourishment

  • Purpose: To combat erosion, protect coastal infrastructure, and enhance recreation
• Training walls

  Structures built along river mouths to direct water flow and prevent sediment buildup
• Training walls

  • Purpose: To maintain navigable waterways and reduce erosion at river mouths
• Whale watching

  State and territory governments are responsible for conservation and protection of whales and dolphins in coastal waters (out to the 3 nautical mile limit)
• Whale watching

  • Approach Distance for Whales: Whales can only be approached from side on, within 300m of the whale, boats must be at no wake speed and cannot approach closer than 100m. When leaving whales or dolphins, move off at a slow (no wake) speed to the outer limit of the caution zone (300m) from the closest animal before gradually increasing speed. Keep a lookout and avoid disturbance to mother whales or dolphins and their calves. If there is a sudden change in whale or dolphin behaviour, move away immediately at a slow steady pace.
• Ecotourism

  Tourism directed towards natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife
• The rise in ecotourism in Western Australia has resulted in increased interaction between the public and local wild species of large marine vertebrates such as whale sharks, whales and dolphins
• Ethical behaviors with respect to human interactions with large marine invertebrates would include such ideas as not causing any harm to them or impacting upon aspects of their lives such as food supply or habitat
• Whale sharks

  Exclusive contact of 250m radius
• Vessel operation within 250m whale shark zone


  1. Maximum 90 minutes

  2. Speed of 8 knots or less
• Vessel operation within 250m whale shark zone

  • Must not approach a whale shark closer than 30m
  • Vessels must display whale shark and dive flags while swimmers are in the water
• Swimmer rules

  • Same as whale encounters