The state government has invited public  feedback on its draft Ramsar Management Plan for the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland.

The draft plan provides a framework to protect and maintain the ecological character of the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland.

This is critical for the environment, First Nations, local communities and economies, the overall health of the Murray-Darling Basin and the success of the Basin Plan. 

The Coorong is one of South Australia’s most iconic natural assets and is recognised as a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ under the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar 1971).

The Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland Ramsar site provides significant environmental values that underpin the recreational and economic benefits of the region, such as tourism and commercial fishing.

The site is of great cultural importance to the Ngarrindjeri and First Nations of the South East as their spiritual, social, cultural, and economic practices come from the region's lands and waters.

Since the original Ramsar Management Plan was developed in 2000, there has been significant progress in both environmental management practices and scientific investigations of the site. 

The revised draft plan incorporates takes account of this, along with the experiences, knowledge and learnings from the Millennium Drought.

All feedback will be considered when finalising the draft Ramsar Management Plan, which will be released later this year.

Consultation closes 24 May; full details and a survey can be found on the state Your Say website.