Coral Sea commitment essential
24 Jan 2008
The Federal Government must move immediately to protect the entire Australian Coral Sea from the threat of climate change and unsustainable fishing, WWF-Australia said today.
To mark the International Year of the Reef tomorrow, WWF is calling on the Australian Government to include the magnificent Coral Sea within a Marine Park, and to support international efforts to build protection of reefs in our neighbouring waters.
"In the last few years, Australia has taken some major steps to protect its coral reefs - most notably in increasing protecting for the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo," said Dr Ghislaine Llewellyn, WWF Australia Oceans Program Leader.
"We should be justifiably proud of Australia's status as a global leader in coral reef conservation.
"However the job is far from done. We are keen to work with Australia's new government to ensure that our Coral Sea also receives a high level of protection."
The government's pledge should include a commitment to releasing a draft plan for the protection of the Coral Sea by the end of 2008.
The first International Year of the Reef was in declared 1997 in response to the increasing loss and threats to coral reefs throughout the world.
Despite the huge surge in global awareness about the plight of coral reefs, they face unprecedented pressure from climate change, overfishing and coastal destruction.
This is particularly true for reefs in South East Asia and the Pacific, and WWF believes Australia should play a far more significant role in helping conserving coral reefs in our region.
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste have recently committed to the Coral Triangle Initiative - a program that could benefit significantly from Australia's skills and expertise.
"WWF welcomes Minister Peter Garrett's support for the Coral Triangle Initiative at the recent Bali Climate Change meeting," said Richard Leck, Coral Triangle Climate Change Strategy Leader.
"WWF is keen to work with the government to start putting the flesh on the bones of this commitment."
More information
Dr Ghislaine Llewellyn, Oceans Program Leader, Sydney
0406 380 801
Richard Leck, Coral Triangle Climate Change Strategy Leader, Brisbane
0439 814 847
