The Australian Greens have welcomed the release of a report which sets out a blueprint for establishing a network of marine sanctuaries in Australia’s South West Marine Bio-region.

“This report sets the benchmark that must guide the Federal Government’s approach to planning in the SW marine bioregion,” said Greens Marine spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert today.

“The research demonstrates that extensive marine sanctuaries are needed if we are to properly protect the biodiversity of the south west marine bioregional area.

“90% of species in the south west bioregion are found no where else in the world. 50% of the world’s whale and dolphin species use the area. The science shows that large marine sanctuaries need to be established in order to ensure protection of this unique biodiversity,” Senator Siewert said.

The University of Queensland blueprint Systematic Conservation Planning- A Network of Marine Sanctuaries for the South West Marine Region explores the widespread benefits which come from long term marine protection.

“This blueprint not only establishes the basis for marine biodiversity protection, it sets out a future for sustainable fishing, tourism and recreation which should support local industries, preserve fish stocks and protects our existing biodiversity,” Senator Siewert said.

“It is time to stop the scare campaign against marine sanctuaries we saw during the recent federal election and look at the science, not the myths.

“This report highlights that extensive marine protection is needed in our south west oceans, to protect our marine biodiversity and ensure fish stocks into the future,” concluded Senator Siewert.

Executive Summary of the Report can be found here
Full Report here

The boys and I have just returned from an overnight getaway to Tin Can Bay. We enjoyed some fishing and walks across the mudflats at low tide.

Exploring the mudflats at low tide has always been a highlight for us – watching the armies of soldier crabs scurrying out of our way, checking for little mudskippers and baby whiting in the tidal ponds and observing varieties of bird life we usually don’t see here in Noosa.

World Heritage Listing is rightly pending for this special and precious environment BUT it is under immanent threat from property developers who are wanting to “reclaim” this important area to build two massive marinas.

Tony Burke, the Federal Environment Minister, is currently considering approval for these gross developments. We need YOU to join with Bob Irwin and the Southern Sandy Straits Marine Environment Group to petition the Minister to stop this.

Quick and easy – just click here to sign the petition

http://www.marina.tincanbaydolphins.com.au

Please forward this email on to your friends and interested others.

Warmest regards

Steve Haines
Convenor
Noosa and Hinterland Branch
Queensland Greens
0421 00 1956

Noosa River

Queensland Greens spokesperson, Dr Libby Connors, said the latest deaths made the release of the Noosa Fish Health Investigation Taskforce report all the more urgent.

“We know the two veterinary scientists on the scientific sub-committee concluded agricultural chemicals were factors in the fish deaths,” Dr Connors said.

“The public has the right to be concerned about the delay in releasing the final report which was originally scheduled for April.”

Since the taskforce began its investigation:

* Sunfish Queensland has reported an increase in deformities in bream caught along the southeast coast
* The United States Environmental Protection Agency has commenced withdrawing endosulfan from the US market owing to concerns about endosulfan’s environmental harm
* The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) was revealed to have misrepresented chemical test results from the Noosa River

“In the midst of mounting local and international evidence, Australian agencies responsible for monitoring agri-chemical use appear to be in denial about the environmental harm and harm to public health caused by these chemicals,” Dr Connors said.

“We need to know what action, if any, the Queensland government is going to take in the face of this evidence of serious environmental harm.

“How many more fish deaths have to occur before the report will be released?

“The Noosa fish hatchery is clearly the canary in the southeast Queensland environment.”