NSW Fisheries has been funded under Ocean Rescue 2000 to develop an ecologically representative network of MEPAs for the state. They have also been funded by the Resource and Conservation Assessment Council to conduct a series of studies about the fish resources of NSW rivers. Part of this work is to study the status of fish, the distribution of carp and other alien species and to provide a standardised survey structure for the rivers. Bioregional monitoring data can be validated by and integrated with regional and local studies which include a range of on-ground measurements such as plant and animal species diversity and abundance, animal species distributions or ranges, soil properties and other environmental variables. Examples of these studies include the Rangelands Assessment Program, waterbird and kangaroo population monitoring by NPWS, and surveys associated with major developments such as the deepwater ocean sewage outfalls.
Community participation is crucial to the conservation of biodiversity in the long term.
This can be achieved through existing programs such as Landcare and TCM, or through community education programs to increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity. SoE information compiled 1995.