Jessica Meeuwig writes in The Conversation (21.9.17) about a statement on behalf of marine researchers from around the globe, asserting that Australia’s reputation as a global leader in marine conservation is being put at risk by plans to strip back sanctuary areas within marine parks.
‘We, the undersigned scientists, are deeply concerned about the future of the Australian Marine Parks Network and the apparent abandoning of science-based policy by the Australian government.
‘On July 21, 2017, the Australian government released draft management plans that recommend how the Marine Parks Network should be managed. These plans are deeply flawed from a science perspective.
‘Of particular concern to scientists is the government’s proposal to significantly reduce high-level or “no-take” protection (Marine National Park Zone IUCN II), replacing it with partial protection (Habitat Protection Zone IUCN IV), the benefits of which are at best modest but more generally have been shown to be inadequate.’
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