South West Australia marine plan fails international test
15 Oct 2007
WWF-Australia today criticised the Australian Government for failing to recognise Australia's international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity in its blueprint for protection of the South West marine region published today.
WWF is greatly concerned that the Government's blueprint entirely omits reference to the requirements for protecting marine and coastal biodiversity, which Australia is committed to under the Convention on Biological Diversity. This global 1992 agreement recognises that ecosystems, species and genes must be used for the benefit of humans, however in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity.
Two hundred countries are signatories to the UN Convention, which ratifies full protection of a network of marine protected areas that are representative of all ecosystem types.
"This Government appears to have selective amnesia when it comes to meeting its global requirements for protecting marine biodiversity, yet is very lucid when it comes to pledging to minimise impacts on marine industry," said Dr Llewellyn.
"Along with the proposed winding back of guidelines for seismic operations near whales and dolphins, and the green light this week given to Gorgon, we are seeing clear preference for maintaining access for oil and gas, and commercial fishing at the expense of safeguarding our marine environment for future generations."
The South West marine region, which stretches from Kangaroo Island, off South Australia, to Kalbarri, off the mid-Western Australian coast, is one of the nation's richest, with 85 per cent of its fish, 95 per cent of its molluscs and 90 per cent its of echinoderms (starfish and urchins) found nowhere else in the world.
It also is globally significant as a breeding and feeding ground for a number of threatened marine animals, including Australian sea lions, southern right whales and great white sharks.
"The South West marine region is a treasure-trove of marine species that are exclusive only to this area," said Dr Gilly Llewellyn, WWF-Australia's marine program leader.
"Just as with the Coral Sea - another global hotspot for marine life - conservation efforts need a backbone of ambitious targets that set a new global benchmark, not the weak set of goals and principles published by Government today."
This policy is full of loopholes, and aspirational, non-binding statements which fail to hold Government accountable for real action in the South West marine region. For example, statements such as 'the Government will aim to include some highly protected areas (IUCN categories I and II) in each region' will not drive efforts and government responsibility in the area.
In addition, the issue of climate change is not fully addressed in the South West marine region blueprint, yet the restricted range of many of these species will make them highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
"A network of fully protected marine areas provides a haven for marine species on the move due to climate change," said Dr Llewellyn.
"Climate adaptation needs to be a central principle and not an after-thought if we are serious about maintaining the resilience of the system."
More information
Dr Gilly Llewellyn, Marine Program Leader, WWF-Australia
Phone: 02 8202 1227
Mobile: 0406 380 801
Paula Schibeci, Press Office, WWF-Australia
Phone: 08 9442 1213
Mobile: 0406 381 137
