Busselton Jetty nominated for coastal award for excellence for education and conservation efforts

Busselton Jetty is being recognised for its groundbreaking marine education services, receiving a nomination for State award.

The organisation has been named as one of the finalists in this year’s Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence, under the education and engagement category.

The awards, presented as part of the WA Planning Commission’s Coastal Zone Management Program, recognise the work undertaken to enhance, rehabilitate and adapt to threats and pressures to the WA coastline.

Busselton Jetty Inc environmental manager Sophie Teede said she was “delighted” with the nomination.

“It is wonderful to gain recognition for the ongoing work that Busselton Jetty undertakes ensuring the jetty’s future remains secure through sustainably developing its ecotourism offerings,” she said.

Other categories in for this year’s awards include coastal champion, coastal planning, coastal management and adaption, education and engagement, coast design, and science and research, with winners to be announced next month.

Ms Teede said BJI aspires to be a leader of conservation, protecting and conserving the land and marine environments surrounding the jetty and Geographe Bay by directing significant effort to marine conservation and education.

Recent projects the BJI focused on included virtual education videos, school incursions, adopt-a-marine-creature initiatives, beach and underwater clean-ups.

The BJI hopes to continue to educate locals and tourists going forward, with a high-tech marine education facility planned as part of its $26 million Mk2 Jetty Village project.

With construction starting in October, the new facility is expected to be up and running in 2023.