Download Temperate East Marine Region National Park Media release

Temperate East Marine Region National Park
Media release: Minister Tony Burke's
Monday, 14 November, 2011
The Gillard Government today released the draft marine bioregional plan and proposed
marine reserves network for Australia's Temperate East Marine Region.
Environment Minister Tony Burke outlined details of the draft bioregional plan and proposed
marine reserves network for the Temperate East region that will be open for a three-month
community consultation period.
The Temperate East Marine Region covers approximately 1.47 million square kilometres of
temperate and subtropical ocean.
It is made up of Commonwealth marine waters starting from the southern boundary of the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to Bermagui in southern New South Wales, and also includes
the waters surrounding Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands.
Mr Burke said there was a unique opportunity for the government and community to work
together to take steps now to protect the region’s marine environment for future generations.
"For generations Australians have understood the need to preserve precious areas on land as
national parks. Our oceans contain fragile marine life which deserve protection too," Mr
Burke said.
“The Temperate East Marine Region has many unique features and is home to a large number
of protected species and species that occur nowhere else in the world.
“It is home to the east coast population of the critically-endangered grey nurse shark and
includes the southernmost extent of many reef building coral species.
“Several significant seamount ridges run parallel to the coast in this region, including the
extensive Tasmantid Seamount Chain. The Taupo Seamount rises roughly 4700 metres from
the ocean floor—twice as tall as Mount Kosciuszko.
“Scientists have recently discovered that these features support hundreds of species, including
some previously unknown to science.
"We know that Australians need our oceans to be healthy if they are going to keep providing
us with fish to eat, a place to fish, sustainable tourism opportunities and a place for families
to enjoy.
"The Gillard Government is working with communities to establish a marine reserves
network to support a sustainable future for our marine environment and ensure our oceans
stay healthy and productive.
"Through our initial consultation in the development of these draft plans, where possible, we
have avoided having an impact on local jobs or people who love to fish."
The marine reserves network being developed will have no impact in state waters. The
proposed networks of marine reserves are in Commonwealth waters which start 5.5
kilometres off the coast.
Mr Burke said the Government had worked with environment groups, the fishing industry,
recreational fishing groups and other marine users in the development of a draft bioregional
plan and proposed marine reserves network for the temperate east.
"Now there will be a further opportunity for communities to have their say in this important
process and I encourage people to get involved," Mr Burke said.
"We extended the 60-day consultation period to 90 days to ensure people have every
opportunity to provide feedback. The feedback and input the Government receives will assist
in finalising the proposal for a new marine reserve network and bioregional plan for the
Temperate East Marine Region."
There are nine proposed marine reserves in the Temperate East Marine Region and these are
broken down into six types of zones to secure conservation benefits and where possible
minimise impact on industries and people who like to fish.
The marine reserves network also incorporates the existing Commonwealth marine reserves
in the region.
During the three-month public consultation period, officers from the Department of
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities will be visiting coastal
centres in the Temperate East Marine Region. They will hold information sessions and meet
with representatives of various industries and stakeholder groups.
Public information sessions will be held in Bermagui, Ulladulla, Jervis Bay, Port Stephens,
Forster, Coffs Harbour, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. The consultation period will
close on 21 February 2012.
The Government’s proposals for the Coral Sea will be released soon.
For more information on the draft marine bioregional plans and the proposed Commonwealth
marine reserves in the Temperate East Marine Region, including details of public information
sessions scheduled across the region, go to
http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/temperate-east/index.html.
Below: Proposed Jervis Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Below: Proposed Hunter Commonwealth Marine Reserve