MEDIA RELEASE
November 28th
Declare Marine Protected Areas NOW!
The Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) today welcomes the release of the blueprint for South Australian Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (SARSMPA) but calls for action under existing legislation.
The Minister for Environment and Heritage the Hon John Hill can immediately proclaim all nineteen proposed marine protected areas under the National Parks and Wildlife Act (1972), said Catherine Way , CCSA, Campaign Coordinator
It is not desirable to delay the proposed marine protected areas while developing new legislation prior to their roll out.
Protection should be implemented now and the areas can then be rolled into the new legislation.
With Australia facing unprecedented species loss both on land and in the oceans and with the implications of climate change we need to act now.
CCSA however highlights the Governments commitment to community nomination of marine reserves outside of the SARSMPA objectives, and the commitment to permanent high protection sanctuary zones.
These are two areas that conservation groups have been lobbying for, for many years, and a welcome inclusion to the blueprint. Ms Way stated.
The State Government announced the development of the SARSMPA in its Marine and Estuarine Strategy in 1999 and t he Australian Government is currently rolling out a national representative system of marine protected areas (NRSMPA) in Commonwealth waters. International scientific research supports developing marine reserves as the most effective way of arresting the decline of marine species and habitats, they provide safe havens that allow habitat regeneration, and provide our oceans with new generations of fish.
International calls are being made to all countries to accelerate MPA processes and arrest the alarming world-wide decline in fish and marine habitats, occurring in all oceans and climatic zones.
Contact: Simon Divecha 0417 879 439
