Australia’s marine parks protect ‘places no one goes’ rather than fragile coastal zones, scientists say
Marine scientists are urging the Australian government to increase protections for coastal marine ecosystems, arguing that current 'no-take' zones are disproportionately located in remote areas. The call comes as a decadal review of marine parks begins, highlighting the need to protect biodiversity closer to the mainland.
Why it matters
Effective marine conservation is critical for protecting biodiversity against climate change and industrial pressures, but current policies may be prioritizing easy-to-protect remote areas over more vulnerable coastal zones.
A weedy sea dragon in Port Botany off Sydney’s coast. A group of scientists are calling for Australia’s coastal marine ecosystems to be better protected, saying many highly protected zones are concentrated in remote waters./iStockphoto A weedy sea dragon in Port Botany off Sydney’s coast. A group of scientists are calling for Australia’s coastal marine ecosystems to be better protected, saying many highly protected zones are concentrated in remote waters./iStockphoto Australian climate and environmental reporting Environment Australia’s marine parks protect ‘places no one goes’ rather than fragile coastal zones, scientists say Hundreds of experts write to environment minister calling for stronger protections for ‘unique and distinct’ marine ecosystems
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