Aquatic pests and diseases are a key stressor, posing a significant biosecurity threat to the benefits we derive from the marine environment. The NSW Marine Biosecurity Awareness Project is delivering Initiative 6.9 of the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy. Funded by the Marine Estate Management Authority, this project aligns with the NSW DPIRD Aquatic Biosecurity general surveillance program and complements the NSW 5-Year Marine Pest Surveillance Plan 2022-26.
Informed by robust social research baseline data, this passive surveillance program aims to increase marine biosecurity awareness by engaging with general public and implementing targeted campaigns through meeting with key marine stakeholders. After establishing strong engagement with the general community, at mid-term, the NSW Marine Biosecurity Awareness project shifted its efforts towards stakeholders from the relevant industries and organisational groups. Follow-up monitoring and evaluation has also been undertaken, to evaluate the success of the campaign to date, by comparing baseline data with recent social research. This second phase of engagement is offering a range of crafted communication tools and engagement tools, tailored to match social and behavioural preferences based on previous experience and in this field. Outcomes to-date and future vision for partnerships will be discussed.