Stewardship by the Sea With the WSL Pros

Coastal Rehabilitation at Gas Bay

The world’s best surfers teamed up with local environmental groups for a coastal conservation event last week.

The WSL One Ocean event, held at Gas Bay - a popular local surf break and beach - involved essential dune brushwork by WSL surfers, the Shire, Nature Conservation Margaret River and their new youth marine stewards. Other participants included local groups Margaret River Coastal Residents Association, Surfing Western Australia, Tangaroa Blue, Great Southern Reef, Cowaramup Bay Boardriders and Salty Sisters. Coastal pathways were better defined through the brushing and closure of some unnecessary trails to protect coastal vegetation.

The Shire manages scenic southwest coastal areas including Gracetown, Augusta and the stretch from Margaret Rivermouth to Gas Bay. Through our Friends of Reserves program, we support volunteer coastal groups in environmental restoration efforts. Among them, the Margaret River Coastal Residents Association has been actively safeguarding coastal reserves along this stretch of coast for 25 years and meet weekly. 

On-ground works include upgrades to beach access, fencing to protect dune areas, signage, weed control, community education and working with cultural custodians Undalup and Karri Karrak to protect cultural sites.

Thank you to World Surf League and WSL One Ocean for showcasing the hard work of the local community groups and the Shire. And special thanks to all the WSL surfers who participated: Bettylou Sakura Johnson, Brisa Hennessy, Cole Houshmand, Isabella Nichols, Jacob Willcox, Reef Heazlewood, Liam O’Brien, Molly Picklum and Ryan Callinan.