Campaigns 2008

Marine Parks – focus regions Kimberley and South Coasts

The Wilderness Society WA calls upon our Government to put in place international scientific targets of 30-50% protection for each marine habitat type, to give our marine life the best chance of surviving in an uncertain future. Creating a system of science-based fully protected Marine National Parks will help strengthen all of WA’s unique marine ecosystems and protect the beautiful areas that our children will be able to enjoy into the future.

The Wilderness Society WA calls upon our Government to create a system of science-based fully protected Marine National Parks to protect 30-50% of each habitat type along the coast of WA.

Kimberley Coast

The Kimberley coast of northern WA is internationally recognised as one of the last great unspoiled marine and coastal environments in the world. Comprising Australia’s most biodiverse tropical ecosystems, this area has unique and iconic conservation values. More than 200 islands provide remote and pristine ecosystems, both terrestrial and marine, for undisturbed nesting of seabirds and turtles.

Threats on this world-class marine area are far-reaching and include coastal, inshore and offshore marine ecosystems. Some of the proposals include drilling for gas on shelf-edge coral reef atolls, building an LNG plant on a coastal islands and developing a industrial hub for LNG processing including ports and infrastructure on the coastline.

The Wilderness Society calls upon our Government to halt development of the Browse Basin gas field until it can be shown that it will not cause serious local, regional and global environmental impacts. 

South Coast

The south coast of WA is the only coastline bordering the Southern Ocean and extends over 1500 kms from Augusta to the South Australian border. Physically, these coastal waters are very clear and nutrient poor and the limestone reefs and protected coastal embayments support highly diverse and endemic seagrass flora and fish communities. Compared to other temperate coastal areas in Australia, the south coast is relatively pristine with few coastal communities and associated urban and industrial developments.

Despite its high conservation and wilderness values, this coastline has no marine sanctuary zones except for two inlets (Walpole and Nornalup). The commercial wetline (handline and dropline) fishery is unmanaged and fishing pressure from recreational fishers is increasing with larger boats and better technology. The strong desire for “seachange” lifestyles and/or retirement is increasing demand for urban development.

Also, global climate change is an important threat to our marine environment and is already evident on the south coast of WA as rainfall patterns have declined in the both intensity and frequency.

PLEASE HELP!

Contact WA Environment Minister, and ask them to:

- Commit to a network of marine parks with 30-50% sanctuary zones, based on science

- Ensure that the economic benefits of the resource boom protect the lifestyle we enjoy and secure a healthy marine environment into the future

Contact The Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, and ask him to:

- Commit to halting development of the Browse Basin gas field until it can be shown that it will not cause serious local, regional and global environmental impacts.

- Ensure that the economic benefits of the resource boom protect the lifestyle we enjoy and secure a healthy marine environment into the future

Contact the Perth campaign centre on 08 9420 7255 to find out more about the 2008 campaign to protect our marine wildlife.