Australia creates world's largest marine reserve network

The Federal Government is to create the world's largest network of marine reserves in the Coral Sea and adjoining Great Barrier Reef and will restrict fishing and oil and gas exploration in a major step to safeguard the environment and access to food.

Once proclaimed under national environmental law, the marine reserves are seen as being the final part of a Federal network of marine reserves, increasingthe number of marine reserves from 27 to 60, an expansion of the network to cover more than a third of Commonwealth waters.

The area will cover 3.1 million square kilometres of ocean including the entire Coral Sea, by far the largest representative network of marine protected areas in the world.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said the Government expects to pay an estimated $100 million to the fishing industry in compensation for the new restrictions on their operations that will take effect late this year.

Highly protected areas such as the Coral Sea off Australia's northeastern coast and the adjoining World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef will also be protected from oil and gas exploration. Both areas have shallow reefs that support tropical ecosystems with sharks, coral, sponges and many fish species.

The numbers of marine reserves off the Australian coast will be increased from 27 to 60.

Minister Burke said he wanted the reserves to set a benchmark for the world in environmental protection and food security the access to and consistent availability of food. The plan aims to guarantee future fish stocks by preventing overfishing.

Minister Burke stated "we have an incredible opportunity to turn the tide on protection of the oceans and Australia can lead the world in marine protection."

Minister Burke hailed in particular the protection of the Coral Sea, beyond the Great Barrier Reef, and the south-west region, including Perth Canyon, an underwater equivalent of the Grand Canyon, adding "it's time for the world to turn a corner on protection of our oceans, and Australia today leads that next step."

Imogen Zethoven, a Coral Sea campaigner from the Pew Environment Group, said the announcement was a "historic moment" in protecting the unique tropic waters beyond the Great Barrier Reef.

Australian Conservation Foundation Chief Executive Don Henry believes that the plan will make Australia a global leader in ocean protection but warned that the remote northwest region where an offshore oil and gas industry is already established had been left vulnerable to the threats of further energy exploration.

13th April 2010 - ILLEGAL SHIPPING ROUTES TO BE TARGETED