Renowned coral scientist warns: WA reefs vulnerable - protection urgent
17 Nov 2004
Professor Terry Hughes, the world's most widely cited coral reef biologist, is warning that without serious protection from overfishing, Western Australia's coral reefs - including Ningaloo - could be in jeopardy.
Professor Hughes recommended that at least 35% of Ningaloo Reef be closed to fishing, and the other areas be carefully managed to minimise impacts.
Speaking at a standing-room-only lecture at the WA Maritime Museum, organised by WWF, Professor Hughes said, "It is not a matter of 'if' reefs like Ningaloo will be bleached from the effects of global warming, but when. So far Ningaloo has just been lucky."
"As a scientist, I'm prepared to set a precedent; there is more than enough scientific evidence to justify protecting areas of coral reefs from fishing. The argument that we need Ningaloo-specific data is like saying smoking kills the Dutch and New Zealanders, but not Australians."
Professor Hughes went on to say that WA's reefs are much more vulnerable to the effects of bleaching (where unusually warm water kills coral, turning it white) than those of the Great Barrier Reef, because they are isolated from one another.
"When corals on the Great Barrier Reef bleach they can be replenished by nearby reefs because the system is vast ? WA is very different. Scott Reef off the Kimberley coast has already been severely bleached and recovery so far has been very slow."
Professor Hughes' research, published in the world's most esteemed scientific journals, shows that reducing fishing pressure is highly effective at increasing coral reef's resilience to bleaching because of the ecological roles they play in promoting recovery.
"If you want to arm your reefs against bleaching so they can bounce back, the evidence is clear - create sanctuary areas and make sure fishing in the rest of the reef is sustainable."
Note to editors:
- Professor Terry Hughes available for interview today only (17/11)
- Spectacular footage of Ningaloo coral and wildlife available to the media
For further information:
Contact Paul Gamblin, Senior Policy Officer, Oceans and Coasts on 0410 221 508
or Virginia Dew WWF Press Office- (02) 8202 1290
