Help decide the fate of WA's marine wildlife

	Schoaling fish off Abrolhos Islands, WA. Natasha Tate

Western Australia is home to rich and diverse marine habitats – from the cool sponge gardens of the South to the tropical coral of the North – and an extraordinary wealth of wildlife including turtles, whales and dugongs. Less than three per cent of this natural beauty and diversity is currently protected, while international scientists recommend ten times this amount.

While often seen as indestructible, life in the oceans is under rising threat from global warming, over-fishing, mining, pollution and inappropriate coastal development. 90 per cent of the world’s big fish are already gone and two-thirds of the world’s coral reefs are dead or dying.

Against this catastrophic backdrop, the Government is about to begin a process that will decide the fate of WA’s incredible marine wildlife.

Thanks to the recent popularity and profile of the WA Marine Campaign (as well as a State election), the State Labor Government has promised to review the current multi-use marine parks and reserve system and introduce an entirely new approach to marine planning and management. This new system, if underpinned properly with the most recent marine science and sustainability principles, could revolutionise the way our State’s marine environment is protected, managed and utilised. It has the potential to not only keep our marine life in its natural state, but also to generate community involvement and ownership that is vital for managing our vast and world-class coastline.

This new system will be implemented on a region-by-region basis, with the first pilot program being trialled on the spectacular South Coast. One of the most biologically remarkable stretches of WA’s marine waters - tropical, temperate and sub-Antarctic species meet, including some of the rarest of all whales and the bizarre but beautiful leafy sea dragon.

Regional Marine Planning gives WA the opportunity to keep our marine wildlife in its natural state for generations to come - but we must act now.

There are plenty of ways you can help our campaign to protect WA’s magnificent marine environment – to find out how you can help, call us on 08 9420 7255, email wa@wilderness.org.au, or come into The Wilderness Society WA's Campaign Centre at City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi St, West Perth.

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