Park mining ban welcomed by conservation groups - calls for Commonwealth to follow
The Australian Conservation Foundation, Conservation Council of South Australia, The Wilderness Society and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society today welcomed the announcement by the South Australian Government that mining (including petroleum pipeline access) will be banned in the SA waters of the Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP).
One of the largest Marine Parks in the world, the GABMP was established to protect the endangered Southern Right Whales which breed and calve in the Park, the rare Australian Sea-lion which breeds along the Nullarbor cliffs and many unique marine plants, animals and sediments that are found nowhere else in the world.
"Mining poses a threat to the endangered marine mammals, birds, fish and plants of the rough and isolated ocean seas of the Bight through seismic air-gun exploration, oil rig blowouts, shipping ballast pollution, long term hydrocarbon build up and tanker spills (both oil and toxic dispersants). The absorbent limestone cliffs of the Bight would be a sponge to the oil and dispersant chemicals, prolonging the impacts for decades", said Michelle Grady, Australian Conservation Foundation.
"The SA Government is to be applauded for recognising that mining should not be allowed in a Marine Park", said Dr Greg Ogle, The Wilderness Society.
However, at the very time that the SA Government is ensuring this a genuine sanctuary, the Commonwealth has the welcome mat out for mining, with petroleum exploration occurring right now in and adjacent to the Commonwealth waters of the Park.
"There is a 26% risk of a major spill from petroleum activities in Australian waters in any five year period, and a 49% chance from shipping. In the last 10 or so years Australia has had 5 significant oil spills. We cannot afford for this to be the fate of the Bight", said Margi Prideaux, Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society.
"The Bight is a nursery area for young endangered mammals, is increasingly important to SA's economy through the growing whale watching industry, and hosts recreational and commercial fishing. Mining in the Park makes no sense environmentally or economically given the environmental, tourism and fisheries costs of an oil spill", said Simon Divecha, Conservation Council of SA.
"With the Park's management arrangements to be reviewed this year, we call on the Commonwealth to follow the lead of the South Australian Government and make the whole Park mining-free", concluded Ms Grady.
Comment:
Michelle Grady, ACF Marine Campaigner 0438 123 536
Dr Greg Ogle, The Wilderness Society, Campaign Coordinator 0409 096 519
Dr Margi Prideaux, WDCS Australasian Director 0414 555 398
Simon Divecha, Conservation Council of SA, CEO 0417 879 439
