A new life for old infrastructure
December 8, 2021
Man-made Aquatic Structures
About the Program
Man-made marine structures are inhabited by a diverse array of marine life, and are used by recreational and commercial fishers, scuba divers, snorkelers and tourists. As a consequence, these structures have a range of economic and social values reflecting the different user groups.
In Western Australia, it is estimated that there are in excess of 7400 man-made marine structures. These include shipwrecks, jetties, marinas, harbours, seawalls, boat ramps, navigation aids and markers, tide stations, artificial reefs, oil and gas platforms, wellheads and oil and gas pipelines.
In the coming years Western Australia, and other states will plan, seek regulatory approval, and build new infrastructure which will be installed in the marine environment. This may be in the form of new ports, offshore renewable energy, subsea cables and aquaculture facilities.
Marine habitat restoration and enhancement is now being openly discussed as a viable option for improving marine and estuarine ecosystem services. The planning and approvals processes for these projects need to take into consideration the hopes, aspirations, and concerns of all the stakeholders.
Collaborative science
Report
Recognising the need to better understand the impacts of artificial structures, research, funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and Chevron, assessed the values and benefits associated with these structures, examining stakeholder attitudes towards their installation or removal.
The published report, Enhancing the Understanding of the Value Provided to Fisheries by Man-made Aquatic Structures, is the result of a collaboration of researchers and subject experts across the WAMSI partnership.
Taking into account the hopes, aspirations, and concerns of all stakeholder groups, it suggests future installation of marine man-made structures will need to meet the social and environmental values and expectations of the community.
Resource
News
Latest updates
Webinar: The Value Provided to Fisheries by Man-made Aquatic Structures
January 5, 2021
This webinar provides an overview of identified economic and social values associated with different types of structures and discusses the issues and opportunities associated with people’s values and perceptions.
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