MEROME Darvill of Blue Spirit Surf and Adventure Retreats is urging people to comment on the zoning of new marine parks between Kalbarri and Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
“The marine parks will be multiple use and will include marine sanctuaries where fishing and mining will be excluded but non-extractive uses such as whale watching and diving will continue,” she said.
“Australia claims the third largest area of ocean in the world and only four per cent of that area is protected.
“That protection covers less than one per cent of the South West, despite the fact that it is home to more unique marine life than the Great Barrier Reef.
“Up to 90 per cent of the South West’s marine life is found only in this area, with new species being discovered weekly.
“Not to mention the endangered Blue Whale visits and yearly whale migrations that we are fortunate to witness.
“It’s true fishing is a livelihood for some of us, but if we don’t give areas a chance to regenerate then it definitely won’t be a livelihood much longer.”
To comment on the marine parks, contact the Federal Government at SW_marine_plan@environment.gov.au , write to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 or at www.pm.gov.au/contact/index.cfm
For more information on the Save our Marine Life campaign visit www.saveourmarinelife.org.au
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