04 Sep
2006 - Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Recovery
rates of fish in the Great Barrier Reef have increased
significantly as a result of marine protected
areas.
According to a study by the
Australian Institute of Marine Science and James
Cook University, populations of important fish
species — such as coral trout — are up to 50 per
cent more abundant in marine sanctuaries than
in reefs still open to fishing. Research done
on fringing reefs around the Whitsunday Islands
showed coral trout and stripy sea perch up 60
per cent.
“The results of the study demonstrate
what scientists and conservationists having been
saying for years, that creating marine sanctuaries
means fish can mature and populations can recover,”
said Richard Leck, a marine and coastal policy
officer with WWF-Australia.
“What is truly exciting about
this research is that not only are the protected
areas flourishing but there is very likely to
be a spillover effect to surrounding areas which
will benefit the whole ecosystem. This research
clearly shows that a network of marine sanctuaries
with a strong zoning plan is vital to ensuring
the sustainable future of the reef.”
Stretching for over 2,000km
along Australia’s northeast coast, the Great Barrier
Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system.
Under a 2004 zoning plan, strict protection of
the reef system rose from 4.6 per cent to 33 per
cent within the existing Marine Park and World
Heritage Area. The network of highly protected
areas is aimed at reducing pressure on the Great
Barrier Reef and enhancing its capacity to overcome
large-scale threats such as coral bleaching, which
is linked to climate change and global warming.
WWF is a strong advocate of
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). In the last few
years alone, the global conservation organization
has helped achieve protection for more than 200,000km2
of marine areas around the world, including the
Great Barrier Reef, which cover coral reefs, seagrass
meadows, mangroves, fish breeding grounds, and
deep-sea habitats.
“The results of the research
add to increasing data from Australia and around
the world showing that highly protected areas
boost fish stocks and conserve marine biodiversity,”
added Leck.
“We expect these benefits will
be foremost in the minds of government planners
in Australia as they embark on the next phase
of establishing a national network of marine protected
areas.”
END NOTES:
• According to WWF around 4,600
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were designated
in 2005, protecting around 2.2 million km2, or
0.6%, of the world’s oceans. WWF's Global Marine
Programme is working towards a network of effectively
managed, ecologically representative MPAs covering
at least 10% of the world’s oceans by 2020.
Charlie Stevens / Richard Leck
