Australia announces Coral Sea Conservation Zone
Updated
The Australian government has announced the protection of nearly one million square kilometres of ocean off its north-eastern coast, while it considers whether to set up new marine parks in the region. Earlier this week, it announced the establishment of the Coral Sea Conservation Zone in Australian territorial waters - bounded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. Environment Minister Peter Garrett says there'll be no impact on those who already use the vast area of ocean, and that existing fishing and cruising rights remain in place.
Presenter: Shane McLeod
Speaker: Peter Garrett, Australia's Federal Environment Minister; Elise Hawthorn, US-based Pew environmental group
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McLEOD: The Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett is just back from the Indonesia, where at the world oceans conference he's been hearing about fears for the future of the world's tropical seas. He's announced some of the steps Australia will take in protecting those waters. Standing before a tank filled with circling sharks at Sydney aquarium - he's released details of the Eastern Australia Marine Bioregional profile.
It's a key document in a long-running process the government has been following, to assess the protection measures in place for all of the waters that surround the Australian territory, and as it continues that assessment, the minister has decided that the waters of the Coral Sea need immediate attention. He's announced the establishment of the Coral Sea Conservation Zone.
GARRETT: This will enable a period of thorough assessment of the values of this marine environment and we welcome very much the involvement from all state pollies and the government in putting that assessment process.
McLEOD: The conservation zone will cover nearly one million square kilometres, stretching from the east of the Great Barrier Reef marine park out to Australia's territorial boundaries with Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. Those who are already allowed to do things in the waters - like fishing, scientific research or cruise shipping - will be allowed to maintain their rights.
Peter Garrett says the goal is to stop any expansion of activity while the assessment of the region is underway.
GARRETT: I'm confident that existing users will recognise that they have every opportunity to continue with the activities that they have been undertaking up to this point in time, so long as it's done in accordance with appropriate legislation. And I think on the part of the scientific community, there will be I think a recognition that we can see how important it is that we fully understand the range of values that an area like the Coral Sea has and I am very confident in the way in which we've made this decision enables us to properly and prudently access the values of this area, whilst at the same time, enabling those who had activities in that area up to this point in time to continue them.
McLEOD: The minister has been lobbied by environmental groups to take drastic steps to protect the waters of the Coral Sea. Some are arguing for all extractive industries, including fishing to be banned in the region. The Minister says the establishment of the conservation zone is an interim step, while various proposals are considered.
The US-based Pew environmental group is one that has been arguing for increased protection. It's spokeswoman, Elise Hawthorn, says today's announcement by the minister is a welcome step.
HAWTHORN: We think it is a wonderful announcement today. We're very happy that the minister made this announcement and we're just really supportive of anything that protects the Coral Sea. It is such an amazing, spectacular marine jewel that is part of Australia and it's got an extremely important heritage value as well, so we welcome today's announcement.
McLEOD: The minister has also won initial approval from recreational fishers in Queensland. They've recently expressed concerns that fishing could be banned in the region. And while they have yet to see the full details of today's announcement, they say they're happy the minister has decided to maintain the status quo.
Peter Garrett believes its the appropriate balance
GARRETT: It recognises that those who have existing activities are underway in the Coral Sea area can continue them, whilst we get a deeper and better understanding of the values of this incredible marine resource. So I think that we have done absolutely the right thing in recognition of how important this region is. In doing that, we're acknowledging that there are existing uses and those existing uses can continue.
