WWF praises people power in spurring Australia marine parks decision

2012-11-16

Sydney, Australia - This morning, WWF congratulated the Federal Government of Australia on finalising the boundaries and basic layout of the world's largest network of marine parks. The conservation organisation also praised the high level of community support for the move.

"This is an historic moment for marine conservation in Australia. The establishment of this national network of marine parks is a world-first at this scale. It's an essential step forward for the protection of Australia's diverse and unique marine wildlife."

"Today's announcement is in line with scientific advice and has strong public support. We understand that in this phase, the government received 80,000 submissions which overwhelmingly supported the new marine parks. This latest demonstration of support builds on the waves of enthusiasm from hundreds of thousands of people all around the country over the past couple of years," said Paul Gamblin, marine spokesperson for WWF-Australia.

"Over a decade of effort, both Coalition and Labor governments have created the policies and momentum for this outcome, and we look to all parties for quick and effective passage of the parks' management arrangements early next year. These protections are overdue and our wildlife needs decisive action, without further delay." said Mr Gamblin.

While praising the overall plan, WWF also pointed to some areas that it believed had not yet received sufficient protection, such as coral reefs off North West Australia.

"Areas like those around the spectacular Rowley Shoals and Ningaloo Reef coral reefs do not receive the highest levels of protection available under this plan which means these critical features are still vulnerable to pressure from increasing oil and gas exploration, and possible spills.

Unfettered growth of industry in these areas puts at real risk the whales, dolphins, turtles and sharks that rely on these coral reefs. There is still an opportunity to adjust the plan in coming months to give places like the Rowley Shoals and Ningaloo greater protection."

"However, as this national network stands, Australians can be proud of the role they have played in persuading government to take this action. It provides an outstanding foundation for the conservation of Australia's world-famous marine wildlife and habitats - from the iconic Coral Sea and eastern seamounts to the wild and diverse west coast and Top End."

For more information contact

Hamish Wyatt, Communications Officer, WWF-Australia, +61 414 544 911, HWyatt@wwf.org.au.

New reef mega-ports planned: Queensland Govt. ignores UNESCO on Great Barrier Reef

2012-11-01

Australia's snubfin dolphin and other marine life face new threats to survival after the Queensland Government revealed draft plans for massive industrial development along the Great Barrier Reef coast.

WWF-Australia today expressed alarm over the Queensland Government's draft plans to open up sites up and down the Queensland coast to huge new port developments and said the strategy pushed the Reef one step closer to being listed on UNESCO's 'World Heritage in Danger' list.

"Earlier this year, UNESCO delivered a 'show cause' notice to the Australian and Queensland Governments and requested that no new port development or associated infrastructure outside of the existing and long-established major port areas be permitted," said WWF spokesperson Richard Leck.

"The Queensland Government's Great Barrier Reef Ports Strategy puts them on a collision course with UNESCO, by flagging new ports in areas that are currently undeveloped or at a very small scale.

"The Queensland Government agreed that any port expansion will be concentrated in areas where long established ports already exist, such as Gladstone Harbour. But today's announcement that new ports are set to be green-lighted around 6o kilometres north of Gladstone flies in the face of the Government's earlier commitment to UNESCO.

"The Newman Government's plan confirms Port Alma and Balaclava Island within the World Heritage Area are earmarked for future development, effectively creating a Gladstone to Rockhampton mega-port.

"The proposed development sites are located within Keppel Bay and the Fitzroy River Delta which is home to the recently discovered Australian Snubfin dolphin and four species of turtles. An independent scientific report confirms that the Balaclava Island development would have a disastrous impact on these threatened species.

"The last thing Queenslanders want to see for the Great Barrier Reef is the type of massive, unfettered development that occurred in Gladstone Harbour being repeated along the coast.

"WWF is keen to work with the Queensland Government to ensure that a plan is developed that avoids this fate and keeps the Great Barrier Reef from being listed as 'World Heritage in Danger'."

For more information contact:

Daniel Rockett, Senior Media Officer, WWF-Australia, 0432 206 592, drockett@wwf.org.au

WWF - The Great Barrier Reef ecoregion

WWF praises people power in spurring Australia marine parks decision

New reef mega-ports planned: Queensland Govt. ignores UNESCO on Great Barrier Reef