Media release
10 May 2011
The Gillard Government will invest $9.7
million for the management of proposed marine
reserves and bioregional plans being developed
to protect Australia's marine life for future
generations.
Environment Minister
Tony Burke said the Government would continue
to deliver its 2010 election commitment
by working with communities to develop marine
bioregional plans.
"Finding room for
this funding in a responsible Budget shows
the strength of the Government's commitment
to ongoing management of Australia's marine
environment," Mr Burke said.
“For generations Australians
have understood the need to preserve special
areas of land as national parks but our
oceans contain many iconic, precious and
fragile sites which deserve protection too.
"Australia has
the third largest marine area of any nation
in the world and we need to protect it for
future generations.
"The fact is that
our marine environment is under long-term
pressure from climate change, marine industries
and pollution.
"That's why the
Gillard Government is working with communities
to establish a network of marine reserves
to drive a sustainable future for our marine
environment and to ensure our oceans stay
healthy and productive."
The Commonwealth has
sole jurisdictional responsibility for protection
and management of Australia's exclusive
economic zone beyond the three nautical
mile limit of state and territory coastal
waters.
The Government has committed
to the establishment of new marine reserves
that will form part of a National Representative
System of Marine Protected Areas.
As part of this process,
marine bioregional plans will be developed
for each of four identified marine regions
in the south-west, north-west, north and
east.
Draft plans for each
region are being developed, followed by
a three month community consultation period
before finalisation and implementation of
each plan.
The Government has released
a Fisheries Adjustment policy outlining
the principles that it will apply in determining
the forms of assistance available to industry
and fishing-reliant communities following
the establishment of a final network of
Commonwealth marine reserves.
+ More
Operation CETUS to protect
migrating whales
Media release
23 May 2011
The Gillard Government, in partnership with
state and territory agencies, will launch
an operation to protect migrating whales
from disturbance this migration season.
Environment Minister
Tony Burke said the Australasian Environmental
Law Enforcement and Regulators neTwork (AELERT)
would this week begin Operation CETUS to
enforce whale approach limits
The team, comprising
conservation and environment officers from
Australian federal and state agencies will
monitor boating activities, overflying aircraft
and people in the water interacting with
whales.
"We know that each
year migrating whales provide Australians
and visitors to our nation with a unique
opportunity to observe these majestic animals,"
Mr Burke said.
"But there is a
balance between watching whales and getting
in their way.
"It is vital that
whales are able to migrate, whether over
great distances or in localised areas and
that's why people need to observe whale
watching limits.
"Complying with
whale approach limits will ensure that the
safety of the whales is protected and also
contribute to their successful migration."
Australian conservation
and environment agencies developed national
whale watching guidelines in 2005 to better
manage interactions with whales while providing
people with an opportunity for a unique
experience.
The guidelines aim to
minimize the impacts of whale and dolphin
watching on individuals and populations
of whales and dolphins to ensure that people
know how to act appropriately when watching
whales and dolphins.
To report any suspected
offences contact your state conservation
and environment department. AELERT is a
network of environmental enforcement agencies
from all levels of government in Australia
and New Zealand who work together on environmental
law enforcement and regulation to protect
our environment.
For more information
regarding whale approach limits off your
coastline contact your state conservation
and environment department.
For information on AELERT
visit www.aelert.com.au and for specific
information relating to Operation CETUS
contact the federal environment department
on 02 6275 9880.
