This week we spoke about the future of the Marine and Coastal Community Network. Here is some information about how to ensure the Future of the MCCN...

The Future of MCCN – Beyond our 15 th Year ….

It is that time again… MCCN's current Contract with the Australian Government ends in June 08.  Unfortunately – it is not clear if MCCN will be refunded.  A couple of matters then:

• Your copy(s) of Waves 14(1) has been mailed out and includes MCCN's Coastal Survey 2008. We encourage you to have your say on how to improve the future conservation and sustainability of our coasts and marine environments.  All responses will be treated confidentially.  If you are able, please complete the questionnaire by :date 15 April 2008 , return postage is paid.  You can also complete the survey online: Click here for MCCN Coastal Survey 2008

• April 2008 marks MCCN's 15 th year of successful operations.

A s a national non-government, non-profit communications Network focused on providing information, knowledge sharing and educational opportunities to Australians specifically in the coastal and marine arena, MCCN is well placed to move forward and expand our reach.

• You will be aware that MCCN has over this last 12 months refreshed and consolidated our existing communications services and initiated a new Asia-Pacific regional service - Currents . However, you will not necessarily be aware of our recent community engagement work in Victoria or successful science-forums in WA.  An overview of some of our other achievements are detailed at the end of this letter.

• If you consider MCCN should continue to provide such services and build on our achievements to help the Australian community better understand and find solutions to the challenges facing our coastal and marine ecosystems - please write a note to both Minister Garrett and Minister Wong expressing your support, as soon as you are able.

              While an email will be helpful, a written letter of support will be even more valuable. Addresses are:

• The Hon. Peter Garrett, AM, MP, Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts,  PO Box 6022 , House of Representatives, Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600; Email: Peter.Garrett.MP@aph.gov.au
• Senator, The Hon. Penny Wong,  Minister for Climate Change and Water, GPO Box 854, Canberra ACT 2601;  Email: Online Contact Form

On behalf of MCCN's National Reference Group and staff we would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your ongoing contribution to MCCN be it through information on your project activities, Government policy, new research, expert commentary, upcoming events for - Waves, our website or weekly and monthly E-News services.  It is your collective input that assists MCCN provide an informed, broad based and useful platform for knowledge sharing.

Regards, Fiona Mandelc

Happy Birthday MCCN : Some Highlights from the last 15 years

• creating, maintaining and managing an active national network and contacts database of over 10,300 participants, with active regional networks

• provision of weekly (Wetstuff) and monthly (State/region based) E-News services and recently Asia-Pacific (Currents) with information on Events/Research/Open for Public Comment

• Waves Magazine a cutting edge topical review published 3x a year - key themed issues - Marine Protected Areas/Sustainable Fisheries/Coasts/Climate Change/Indigenous Sea Country matters

• MCCN website ( www.mccn.org.au ) helping to inform engage and connect community to marine and coastal science resources across Australia and with a growing user base worldwide

• facilitating community awareness of, support for and regional workshop engagement on Australian Government marine and coastal policy initiatives, processes and programs, such as Australia 's Oceans Policy and National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPAs)

• developing and publishing numerous high quality communications products, targeting relevant community needs e.g.

* Taking NRM Beyond the Shore Guide for coastal regional organisations

* The Australian Marine Project Guide for recreational snorkellers and divers

* Coastal and Marine Contact Directories   - in hard copy and now on-line e.g. Blue Pages

• facilitating community briefings or workshops on key areas of interest to particular local communities e.g.

* Marine Protected Areas                           * Oil spill response plans

* Aquaculture                                               * Fisheries

* Invasive Marine Species Workshops   * Victorian Coastal Strategy

* Climate Change and the Marine Environment

• supporting or conducting forums which address specific sectors or multi-sector interest e.g.

* Bass Strait Forum                                     *Marine Tourism

* Exmouth Gulf Region and Kimberley Marine and Coastal Scientific Forum Series

• developing and supporting community engagement projects

* Dragon Search – community marine monitoring was initiated by MCCN (SA) in partnership with a range of organizations including the Threatened Species Network and Marine Life Society

* Reefwatch SA – began as a joint project between the MCCN, SARDI Aquatic Science Centre and the Conservation Council of SA and local scuba divers. Reefwatch SA is now a national award winning community engagement program

* Reefcheck – MCCN (NT) has initiated the use of this international model in NT

• maintaining extensive media work across Australia and remaining a trusted source of information and contacts for the Australian media e.g.

* regular participants in community radio programs in Melbourne , Adelaide , Perth , Townsville and Darwin

* media releases supporting activities such as International Year of the Ocean, Coastal Volunteers; Seaweek; Coastcare week

• award winning services - providing access to information, data, publications and resources via regular publication of the national magazine Waves and regional e-bulletins, as well as maintenance of the MCCN web page

* Winner 2006 Victorian Coastal Media Award

* Winner 2003 Gold Banksia Award

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