In June last year Australia announced the creation of the world's largest marine reserve network ever established.
These reserve protections, covering more than three million square kilometers, will stop the most damaging types of fishing and industrial development in extraordinary marine habitats around Australia.
NSW Government measures to improve protection of the critically endangered Grey Nurse Shark do not go far enough to safeguard the species from extinction, the state's peak conservation group the Nature Conservation Council said.
Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson will introduce regulations that include banning baited hook fishing in key breeding areas for the species along the NSW coastline.
The NSW Government must heed new research confirming strong public support for marine reserves, according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
Polling released this week by Essential Media Communications has confirmed overwhelming support for the marine reserves recently announced for Australia’s Commonwealth waters.
With a sample size of 1000, the poll conducted on 20 and 24 June has shown a total of 70% support for the marine reserves, with just 13% disapproval.
The Temperate East Marine Region off eastern Australia are Commonwealth waters that extend from Fraser Island in the north, to Bermagui in the south and out to Norfolk Island in the east. They are now the subject of the federal government's bioregional marine planning process.
The Federal Government’s release of draft marine reserves in the Commonwealth waters far off the NSW coast is seen as a missed opportunity to establish much-needed protection for marine life by leading environment groups.
”We are calling for the establishment of a network of marine sanctuaries that meet international scientific benchmarks for protection. Unfortunately, this was not achieved in the current draft.” said Nicola Bowskill, from The Wilderness Society.
The NSW government’s Independent Scientific Audit of Marine Parks is a vital opportunity for securing a future for marine parks based on science, not politics. We need your help to make sure sound science guides the management of our marine parks now and in years to come. Make your submission online by 5pm Friday, 30 September.
Yesterday (23 June), without warning, the Shooters and Fishers' Party Marine Parks Amendment (Moratorium) Bill was passed in the NSW Legislative Council.
Once passed by the Legislative Assembly, a moratorium on new marine parks and sanctuary zones will be in place:
1. for the next five years; or
2. until the Ministers for Fisheries and Environment decide to lift the moratorium.
Please make a submission today and let the Government know you support stronger protection for grey nurse sharks. Submissions close on Friday, August 26 2011.
The NSW marine environment is under increasing pressure. Many species are now under threat due to over fishing.
The 'Nice Choice!' project has been developed to inform and educate consumers about how you can make better sustainable seafood choices.
The project aims to inform and educate the public about sustainable seafood by promoting alternative species that are currently undervalued at sustainable levels.
Internationally renowned singer-songwriter Jack Johnson has come out in support of the importance of marine parks for the conservation of Australia's oceans and the creatures that call them home.
“The beauty and vitality of our oceans is a constant source of inspiration for my music and life," Jack said.
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