Harliquine snake eel
Photo © Meg Green

In 1998 the Beattie Government made an election promise to deliver border to border marine parks for Queensland. While there have been some extensions to Queensland marine park network, Wildlife Queensland is concerned that the Government is not moving quick enough to fill in the gaps.

'Ten years is long enough. It's time the Government made a significant contribution to achieving that election promise and protect and effectively managed our marine environment' said Des Boyland, Campaigns Manager for Wildlife Queensland.

There is currently no marine park protection in the Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria including the Western Cape.

To press these issues Wildlife Queensland had a meeting with Hon Kate Jones Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability.

'The meeting with the Minister was positive. We are now aware that the Government is currently undertaking marine planning in the Gulf' said Fiona Maxwell Community Conservation Officer for Wildlife Queensland.

Wildlife Queensland hopes that it is more rapid than actions of the past. 

'The biodiversity values of the Gulf and Torres Strait are immense. Torres Strait is the most important dugong habitat in the world. The Wellesley Islands of the southern Gulf support the largest crested tern colony in the world and provide vital habitat for marine turtles, dugongs and dolphins. Crab Island of the Western Gulf supports the largest flatback nesting site in northern Australia' stated Ms Maxwell

Wildlife Queensland appreciates the Traditional Owners of the Gulf and Torres Strait have a deep connection to the land and sea. These people must be involved in any marine park declaration and management strategies.

Bottlenose Dolphins
Photo © Meg Green

The waters of the Gulf and Torres Strait also provide some of Australia’s most important fisheries.

'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' stated Ms Maxwell

'Further more the seven million dollars that the Commonwealth Government is to provide annually under the next Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities Program for the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait will assist in filling some of the gaps and should be commended' continued Ms Maxwell

'The Government states that currently 73% of the Queensland coast is within marine protected areas. However unlike national parks, marine parks are multi-use areas and often small percentages are designated for conservation purposes' said Mr Boyland

'It is therefore vital that the Government not only fill in the gaps and extend the marine park network but also enlarge protective zones within our existing marine parks where science indicates such action is necessary' continued Mr Boyland

Scientists recommend that at least 20-30% of each marine habitat be fully protected in marine national park zones.

More Information:

• Marine Parks along the Queensland Coast - June 2010
• Discussions on marine park promise - May 2010
• Call for action on border to border marine parks along Queensland coast - April 2010

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, call us on +61 7 3221 0194 or send us an email.