Coordinated by the Coastwest Program on behalf of the WA Planning Commission, the awards recognise achievements in planning, management and protection of WA’s unique coastal and marine environments.

The region’s finalists are:

The Fitzgerald Biosphere Group and Friends of the Wellstead Estuary Group for the Wellstead Estuary Project;

South Coast Management Group for a strategy to guide the region’s coastal zone planning and management;

The Marine Futures Project, which collects data benchmarking marine habitats and the organisms that live in WA.

SCNRM chief executive Rob Edkins said the final ceremony would be held at the WA State Coastal Conference Dinner on October 8.

“It’s great to see recognition of South Coast groups and projects for their fantastic contribution over the past few years,” he said.

One of the achievements of the Wellstead Estuary Group was gaining protection for threatened species like the hooded plover.

“South Coast Management Group involves five local governments working together with communities to protect the entire coastline.

Mr Edkins said Marine Futures was a great example of how communities could work together with researchers, private industry and government to achieve successful outcomes.

“Initiated by SCNRM, Marine Futures is the largest Natural Heritage Trust project of its kind and has achieved beyond all expectations,” he said.

“It provides a valuable benchmark for future marine research, planning and management around the state.”