These principles are intended for use by adaptation practitioners to help inform adaptation decision making. Practitioners in the context of this document mean those who are actively working in and applying the concepts of adaptation. The application and level of adaptation knowledge varies across different geographic scales, and different decision making contexts. Hence these principles intend to Marine Climate Change Adaptation Principles (GBRMPA / NCCARF) 4 guide thinking about adaptation. 

Each principle presents a different lens through which practitioners can view their day-to-day operations with respect to climate change adaptation. Practitioners are encouraged to think about what tools they have available at the moment (e.g. communication networks or policies), and who can
support them in the process. Maintaining ongoing communication with scientists and researchers, through channels such as the NCCARF marine adaptation network, will help in transferring existing and emerging adaptation knowledge into adaptive action.