Government making progress towards satisfactory South East Regional Marine Plan
21 May 2004
WWF-Australia today welcomed the Commonwealth Government's release of the South East Regional Marine Plan, as a "useful first step towards securing integrated management of all human activities in the marine environment covered by the plan."
The plan deals with an area that has multiple and often competing uses from the shipping, offshore oil and gas, fishing, transport and tourism industries as well as recreational activity.
Marg Moore, WWF's Senior Marine Policy Officer said, "The challenge now will be to develop and build the right level of management and marine habitat protection into this new framework."
The plan is one of the tools identified to deliver Australia's Oceans Policy, the other is the development of a system of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) nested within the plan.
Two MPAs in the Murray and Zeehan regions are currently being progressed. However, there is still a need to ensure that all habitat types are included in these MPAs and the right level of protection is afforded them. It is only through delivering this that Australia will be on track to meet the 2003 World Parks Congress targets of 20-30% strict protection for all marine habitats by the year 2012
Marg Moore said, "It is imperative that we obtain robust scientific advice, if we are to develop a comprehensive system of MPAs throughout the south-east marine region under this plan. Its ultimate success will rely on the engagement of all sectors working together to deliver this world first for the marine environment."
Notes to Editors:
Australia's Oceans Policy - launched by the Commonwealth Government in 1998, (The International Year of the Oceans) - signals acceptance of responsibility to care for and manage the marine environment in Commonwealth waters.
A National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas - a whole of government/s commitment to identify and declare a comprehensive, adequate and representative network of MPAs throughout the whole of Australia's marine jurisdiction.
Regional Marine Plans (RMP) - a tool for delivering Oceans Policy. Through consultation developing RMPs to eventually cover the marine environment. RMPs will provide a framework within which to build ihe integrated management of all the activities conducted throughout Australia's marine jurisdiction, and in so doing mitigate the cumulative impacts of those activities.
The IUCN World Parks Congress 2003 -Durban, agreed a target of 20 ? 30% strict protection for all habitat types by the year 2012.
For media enquiries call:
Andy Ridley, WWF Senior Manager Communications. Ph: +61 2 8202 1237, 0415 865 992 or aridley@wwf.org.au
