Surfrider Foundation SA – Strategic Advice for Coastal Action
Provided strategic advice translating coastal science into community-led monitoring and advocacy, aligning Surfrider programs with South Australian priorities to improve engagement, inform policy, and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
Location: South Australia
Client/Sector: Surfrider Foundation Australia (SA Chapter) – Community / coastal advocacy
Challenge:
South Australia’s coastal ecosystems, particularly nearshore reef and seagrass habitats, have experienced long-term degradation driven by cumulative impacts from land-based discharges, including stormwater and historical wastewater inputs. While extensive scientific work (e.g. ACWS and ACWQIP) has identified causes and prioritised actions, there remains a gap between technical monitoring and community engagement, limiting public understanding, advocacy momentum, and tangible action.
Aquatic Assessments Role:
Aquatic Assessments provided strategic advice to support the establishment of Surfrider Foundation’s SA Chapter, aligning national Surfrider programs with South Australian environmental priorities. This included:
Translating key findings from ACWS and ACWQIP into actionable, community-relevant initiatives
Identifying alignment between Surfrider programs (e.g. Blue Water Taskforce and Rise Above Plastics) and SA coastal management strategies, particularly around stormwater impacts and pollution pathways
Recommending an integrated monitoring approach combining water quality (stormwater) and plastics surveys to enhance both scientific value and public engagement
Advising on governance elements including data management, QA/QC frameworks, and program design to ensure credibility and impact
Proposing corporate social impact partnerships to support program delivery, increase visibility, and create sustainable funding streams
Outcome:
The advice provides a clear, place-based roadmap for Surfrider Foundation SA to implement meaningful, science-aligned action. By integrating community-driven monitoring with targeted advocacy and corporate partnerships, the SA Chapter is positioned to strengthen ocean literacy, influence policy outcomes, and contribute to long-term improvement of coastal water quality and ecosystem resilience.