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7 September 2007, University of Queensland
Bay rezoning needs sound science: marine
experts
 UQ
marine experts want more scientific analysis included in the
rezoning of the Moreton Bay Marine Park and less politics
and scaremongering.
Public input is being sought now on the rezoning of the Park
which could change how people access and use the Bay.
Less than one percent of the Bay is currently within a protected
green zone but there has been strong opposition to further
protection.
UQ ecology and mathematics Professor Hugh Possingham, a Fellow
of the Australian Academy of science and member of the Park's
Independent Expert Scientific Panel, said the Queensland Government
needed to stick to the principles determined by the science
panel.
“It is important that the areas chosen for protection
are based on sound scientific principles and relevant socioeconomic
data,” Professor Possingham said.
“The panel has advised the Environment Minister that
most of the international scientific literature points to
protecting between 20-40 percent of all marine systems in
no-take areas.
“The expert panel developed guiding principles for
the review and the State Government must ensure they use these
principles to rezone our Bay.”
Professor Possingham's research group designed the “Marxan”
computer program which designed Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park protection areas. The package is the most widely used
reserve design software in the world, now used in more than
70 countries.
UQ Moreton Bay Research Station research and education manager
Dr Kathy Townsend, a rezoning Stakeholder Advisory Group member
and expert on many aspects of the Park, said only 0.5 percent
of the Park was fully protected.
“Stakeholders have been fully engaged by the Environmental
Protection Agency [EPA] throughout the review process,”
Dr Townsend said.
“However, I fear that objective science may be disregarded
as pressure on the EPA and Environment Minister from interest
groups increases.
“I call on the Environment Minister, Lindy Nelson-Carr
to involve her scientific advisors more fully,” Dr Townsend
said.
“All the stakeholders despite their backgrounds, have
one common goal: to maintain the health of Moreton Bay.
“Science cannot, and should not, play a backseat in
a process as critical as this.”
Dr Townsend oversees many scientific investigations about
the health and diversity of Moreton Bay each year at her research
labs on North Stradbroke Island.
Recommendations from the Independent Expert Panel can be
viewed here.
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