The Marine and Coastal Community Network was developed under the Ocean Rescue 2000 program (and is now funded under Coasts and Clean Seas). It is a national, non-government community-based network which aims to encourage and facilitate community support for the conservation and sustainable use of Australia's marine and coastal environments.

The Network has the following functions:

• To identify and facilitate liaison amongst community, industry and other user groups and individuals with interests in the marine and coastal environments; and

• To provide information to all spheres of government and facilitate community consultation and participation in marine and coastal initiatives.

• A non-government organisation, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (formally the Australian Littoral Society), is the national coordinator of the Network. The structure of the Network is based on the existing National Threatened Species Network, which was also established by ANCA.