19/08/2005 - The secrets
of little known deep ocean territory off Western
Australia will be revealed during theAustralian
Government’s preparations for marine planning
in the region.
The Australian Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, said he
looked forward to the Government’s marine
planning in the south-west as he inspected
the findings on board the research vessel
the RV Southern Surveyor today.
The ship and its scientists have just returned
to Fremantle after 28 days at sea, probing
depths up to 1500m to gather scientific information
for the upcoming planning process, a voyage
that has provided a tantalising glimpse of
some of the natural riches and remarkable
marine species to be found in the region.
The south-west region is an area of more
than 1.3 million square kilometres of Commonwealth
waters from the mid Western Australian coast,
south around the Great Australian Bight to
eastern Kangaroo Island, off the coast of
South Australia.
Senator Campbell said he was pleased the Government’s
marine planning was moving west, following
similar exercises for ocean waters off the
south-east and north of the continent.
“Australia leads the world in offshore marine
planning and this is a great opportunity to
learn more about our oceans so we can manage
them sustainably in the interests of the environment
as well as the industries that rely on their
health,’’ Senator Campbell said.
“There is much that remains unknown about
our deep ocean habitats and its fauna and
I have commissioned marine science voyages
and other studies to help fill the gaps in
our knowledge. This planning process will
provide the first large-scale collections
of ocean floor creatures from the waters to
the west and south of Australia and will produce
the first detailed maps of the ocean floor.
“It is an exciting undertaking and I am encouraged
by the interest of the Western Australian
and South Australian Governments in the process.
We are hoping to forge a partnership with
the two States to make the most of our efforts
in inshore and offshore waters.’’
Senator Campbell said the remarkable marine
species recovered and sea floor images captured
during the scientific voyages were just the
start of the research needed for marine planning
in southwest waters. Other research commissioned
by the Department of the Environment and Heritage
included a socioeconomic analysis of marine
industries in the region and a review of Indigenous
peoples’ connections with the sea.
“We want to make sure that we keep using
our marine resources sustainably and progress
our conservation agenda with minimal or no
impact on the economic and recreational values
and activities so important to this region.
The south-west marine plan will help us achieve
that balance,” Senator Campbell said.
