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In 2007, the Queensland Government will carry
out a 10 year review of Moreton Bay Marine Park. The review
will give each and everyone of us the opportunity have our
say about the future of the marine park.
Currently about 0.5% of Moreton Bay Marine Park is fully
protected in “green zones” which in Moreton Bay
are called “Protection Zones” or “Marine
National Parks” in other marine parks. These are places
where all marine life and their habitats are fully protected
from extractives activities (e.g. oil and gas exploration,
fishing). These would equate to the protection given to plants
and animals in National Parks on land.
Scientific recommendations suggest that between 20-50% of
all habitat types must be protected in our oceans if we are
to ensure the healthy and productivity of our seas.
Based on these recommendations, we want to ensure that the
health and productivity of Moreton Bay Marine Park is secure.
With increasing pressures on Moreton Bay, we want to see between
20-50% of each habitat type in Moreton Bay Marine Park fully
protected from harm in Marine National Parks.
Our call for protection is consistent with what marine scientists
are increasingly calling for around the globe.
The level of protection given to each habitat would reflect
its need. The more sensitive an area is to impact, for example,
the more protection it will need. The more important an area
is to the productivity of the Bay, the more protection it
will need.
Moreton
Bay still in the Balance Conservation input to
the EPA planning process
The Queensland Conservation Council and Australian
Marine Conservation Society commend these recommendations
to the EPA for consideration as part of the review of the
Moreton Bay Marine Park.
(218 kb pdf in new window)
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