NT Government shows some ‘bight’ with new marine park proposal

Media Release
The Wilderness Society Inc.
16 March 2012

The Australian Marine Conservation Society and The Wilderness Society today welcomed the NT Government’s announcement of a new marine park in Limmen Bight to be declared by July 2012.

“The Territory Government has taken another important step today towards safeguarding the Top End’s precious sea life,” said Mr Jess Abrahams, Northern Marine Campaigner for the Australian Marine Conservation Society in Darwin.

“The declaration of an 88,000 hectare marine park in Limmen Bight will help protect important reefs and sea grass meadows which are critical breeding and feeding grounds for a myriad of fish species as well vulnerable dugongs and endangered green sea turtles.”

“The science shows that marine life is best safeguarded in highly protected marine reserves. Critical areas in the Limmen Bight Marine Park must be effectively safeguarded in ‘sanctuary’ zones under the park’s management plan.”

“The new Limmen Bight Marine Park, only the second marine park in NT waters, is a leap forward for the protection of Top End sealife and sea country,” said The Wilderness Society’s Northern Australia Campaigner, Gavan McFadzean.

“We whole-heartedly support Limmen Marine Park being jointly managed by Aboriginal Traditional Owners who have a unique role to play in caring for sea country,” said Mr Jess Abrahams.

“Limmen Marine Park will help protect sea life in this corner of the Territory, but more marine parks are needed in key areas such as Bynoe Harbour and along the Arnhem coast, if the NT is to establish its long promised world-class network of marine protected areas.”

“This encouraging announcement by the NT Government paves the way for the Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to create a greater Limmen marine reserve in adjoining Commonwealth waters through the current North Marine Bioregional Planning process,” concluded Mr Jess Abrahams.

Comment:
Jess Abrahams, Northern Marine Campaigner, AMCS: 0407 043 457