PoliticalClaims.au

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Expansion - Governor-General Amendment

The public is being urged to have input on plans to expand the Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve. The islands are located in the Southern Ocean, about 4,000 kilometres south-west of Western Australia, and are the only volcanically active islands in the sub-Antarctic.

Ocean Protection Global Comparison - Countries with 50%+ Designated Protected Waters

Learn how marine protected areas could help marine life recover – and even combat climate change

National Geographic on Global Ocean Protection Commitments

Giving the ocean space to recover promises to help declining fish populations recover, restore habitat, and help save the climate, according to a new plan to save the seas.

Conservation Groups Welcome Albanese Government's 30% Highly Protected Commitment

An alliance* of 27 leading environment groups has welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement on World Oceans Day to achieve 30 per cent of Australia’s oceans in highly protected areas by 2030. “We welcome the Albanese Government’s commitment to fully protect 30% of Australia’s oceans in highly protected sanctuaries,” said Christabel Mitchell, Oceans Director, Pew Charitable

75% of Australia's Marine Protected Areas Given Only 'Partial' Protection

Partially protected areas don’t have more wildlife than unprotected areas. They consume conservation resources and occupy space that could otherwise be allocated to more effective protection.

The Ambiguous Role of Partially Protected Marine Protected Areas in Australia: Results from a Systematic Literature Review

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an important tool in helping to protect biodiversity in the oceans. Recent ratification of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) has ensured that globally we are committed to effectively protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, in MPAs. In Australia there is considerable interest in the potential benefits that partially protected areas (PPAs) may provide. However, a consistent definition of a PPA is currently lacking, and urgently needed to conduct quantitative analyses of PPAs. We conducted a systematic literature review to understand the current knowledge surrounding PPAs and their potential benefits. We define a PPA, characterise PPA implementation in Australia, and present results for the outcomes of PPAs in terms of ecological, economic, and social indicators. Our review suggests that although 45% of Australia’s marine environment is within MPAs, 61% of MPAs provide only partial protection. The Northern Territory (100%), New South Wales (81%), and Queensland (79.8%) have the highest percentage of MPAs that are partially protected, compared to Tasmania which has the smallest percentage of partially protected MPAs (13.12%). Tasmania also has the smallest percentage cover of MPAs (6.49% state waters). Most PPA management plans did not contain quantifiable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to be able to effectively monitor the progress of these PPAs against the stated outcomes. We find the benefits of PPAs to be ambiguous: PPAs generally provide benefits when compared to ‘open’ ocean, however this is not a consistent result. There are no PPAs that provide greater overall benefits when compared to fully protected MPAs. Only one state (South Australia) and the Commonwealth (Australian Marine Parks) are collecting publicly available baseline data to facilitate quantitative monitoring of PPAs. Contrary to fisheries management, there were no plans of action if the declared MPAs and PPAs failed to meet their declared objectives and goals. Some PPAs within Australia appear to be incompatible with conservation priorities according to the recent “MPA Guide” classification framework. This study highlights the need for clearer management rationale and plans for PPAs in Australia, as these comprise the majority of MPAs in Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Australian Marine Parks Overview

Australian Marine Parks help conserve marine habitats and the marine species that live within and rely on these habitats. These marine parks also provide places for people to watch wildlife, dive, and go boating, snorkelling and fishing. Importantly, they create jobs in industries like fishing and tourism, and provide us with food and energy.

A New Chapter in Ocean Protection - Conservation Groups on Paper Parks

Australia announces expansion of subantarctic marine park but scientists say some areas are not receiving enough protection

Australia's Marine (Un)Protected Areas: Government Zoning Bias

Australia needs to drop the deception that square kilometres say anything meaningful about conservation.

Australian Government Misses Rare Opportunity to Safeguard Globally Important Penguin, Seal and Albatross Feeding Grounds

An alliance of 27 environmental groups today welcomed the expansion of Australia’s Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve near Antarctica but said the Albanese Government had missed a rare opportunity to protect key feeding grounds for penguins, seals and albatross.

Conservation Evidence on Fishing Cessation in MPAs

Just 2.8% of the World's Ocean is 'Effectively' Protected

Governments are falling far short of a pledge to conserve 30% of the ocean by 2030, according to a new report published ahead of COP16.