Photo © Meg GreenBackground
In 1998 the Beattie Government made an election promise to deliver border to border marine parks for Queensland. Since this announcement, there have been some extensions to Queensland marine parks, however there are a number of gaps remaining that require immediate attention. Wildlife Queensland is concerned that the Government is not moving fast enough to fill in these gaps.
Conservation Issue
The major gaps in the Queensland marine protected area network are:
- between the NSW border and southern tip of Moreton Bay Marine Park (MBMP)
- between northern tip of MBMP and southern tip of Great Sandy Marine Park (GSMP)
- between the northern tip of Great Barrier Reef Coastal Marine Park (GBRCMP) to the NT border.
The Queensland coast can be considered as 14 bioregions: Carpenteria, Wellesley-Karumba-Nassau, West Cape York, Torres Strait, East Cape York, Ribbons, Wet Tropical Coast, Central Reef, Lucinda-Mackay Coast, Mackay-Capricorn, Pompey-Swains, Shoalwater Coast, Southern Shelf Embayment and Moreton. A bioregion in essence means a geographic area characterised by a combination of physical and biological characteristics, for example, terrain, climate and ecological communities. Currently there are four coastal bioregions (Carpenteria, Wellesley-Karumba-Nassau, West Cape York and Torres Strait) that are not represented in a marine park all of which are in the Gulf and Torres Strait. The Government must act on their 1998 election promise and protect and effectively managed these bioregions.
The biodiversity values of the Gulf and Torres Strait are immense. The coastal zone within the Gulf of Carpentaria is recognised for its diversity, high species abundance and importance to high numbers of protected species. Large parts of the coastline are dominated by mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes which provide significant habitats for an array of commercial and non-commercial species. The Wellesley Island Group of the southern Gulf provides nationally significant feeding, resting, breeding and nursery grounds for marine life including protected species such as brown boobies and lesser frigatebirds, streaked shearwaters, green and flatback turtles, spotted bottlenose dolphins and dugongs. Crab Island of the Western Gulf supports the largest flatback nesting site in Australia.
Torres Strait is the most important dugong habitat in the world. The region provides a multitude of habitats and niches for highly diverse Indo-pacific marine life and acts as a migratory corridor for many species moving between the Coral Sea and the Gulf. Extensive seagrass beds occur in the western and northern areas, forming critical habitat for resident dugong populations. The clear waters and coral reefs to the east, above the most northerly tip of the Great Barrier Reef, provide rich fishing grounds of which the Traditional Peoples rely on.
Currently there are significant knowledge gaps of the Gulf and Torres Strait ecosystems. An opportunity exists to conduct baseline research and monitoring in these areas before further human expansion and developments affect them. This baseline data is vital in monitoring the effectiveness of marine protected areas and determining the impacts of climate change. An increased research effort will also benefit the Governments capacity to monitor the sustainability of fisheries working in these areas.
Wildlife Queensland recognises that indigenous peoples of these areas have a deep connection to the land and sea. There is a need to document and integrate indigenous knowledge with conventional management practices. Indigenous peoples must be involved in marine park declaration and management strategies. Wildlife Queensland strongly supports the rights of these peoples and does not desire to prevent traditional hunting or cultural practices.
When opportunities present the Government boasts that 99% of the east coast is ‘protected’ in a marine park. Do not be fooled by such statements, the reality is that just over 70% of the entire Queensland coast is within a marine park and far less is fully protected. Unlike national parks, marine parks are multi-use areas and often only small percentages are fully protected in marine national parks. In Queensland we have 3 state multi-use marine parks.
- The Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (GBRCMP). GBRCMP is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) which has 33.4% fully protected in marine national parks.
- Great Sandy Marine Park (GSMP). Currently only 4% of GSMP is protected in marine national parks which is far short of what is scientifically recommended.
- Moreton Bay Marine Park (MBMP). In 2009 after strong lobbying from Wildlife Queensland and other conservation groups marine national park protection was increased from less than 0.5% to 16%. While a significant step forward it is still short of what is needed for this fragile area.
What is a marine national park?
Marine national parks are defined areas often within a multi use marine park where all marine life is protected. Within these areas people can swim, boat, snorkel, and dive but can not interfere with, damage, catch or remove marine life. Marine national parks are also referred to as green zones, marine reserves, marine sanctuaries or no-take zones.
Flatback Turtle
Photo © Meg GreenWhat are the benefits of marine national parks?
Marine national parks provide:
- recovery zones for species in decline
- buffer zones against damaging events such as storms
- nursery grounds for fish to reproduce and foster healthy off-spring
- a line of defence against invasive pests
- a place for the public to visit and enjoy the wonders of what’s below the surface
- a submerged classroom for learning and an intact laboratory for scientists
- an insurance policy for recreational and commercial fishers to secure future fisheries
- an economic opportunity for adjacent towns and communities
- the protection of biodiversity for future generations to enjoy
Individual marine national parks should be sufficient in size to adequately protect identified conservation values and reflect ecosystem linkage and connectivity of the surrounding system. They must follow the CAR system: comprehensive, adequate and representative - but they should also incorporate connectivity and resilience to mitigate climate change. Adequate buffer zones must be provided around marine national parks.
What is Wildlife Queensland doing?
Wildlife Queensland is campaigning for border to border multi-use marine parks in Queensland state waters that incorporate a comprehensive, adequate and representative network of marine national parks. Urgent attention must be given to protect and manage the marine habitats of the Gulf particularly around the Wellesley Islands and the Western Cape. Wildlife Queensland calls for existing marine national parks to be enlarged where science indicates such action necessary in order to adequately protect conservation values.
Wildlife Queensland Sunshine Coast Branch is part of an alliance of conservation groups campaigning for marine park protection in the gap between the Great Sandy Marine Park and Moreton Bay Marine Park.
More Information:
For more information on WPSQ's campaigns, email or phone +61 (7) 3221 0194.
Last Updated June 2010 |
