Ocean Sentry
(From news.com.au) Tasmania – Environment Tasmania marine campaigner Rebecca Hubbard said that, combined with the abalone virus scare, the state”s growing list of threatened marine species, and worsening climate change, the report pushed home the urgent need for marine reserves.
“Tasmania is not immune to the threats that are decimating the world’s oceans,” Ms Hubbard said.
“There is nowhere for Tasmania’s fish and marine wildlife to go to get away from these pressures, with only 0.06 per cent of our state waters protected.”
It recommended areas such as south-east Bruny Island be considered.
“Climate change impacts — such as sea temperature rise, invading pests like the long-spine urchins that are devastating our kelp forests, pollution, and over-fishing — are all combining to wear down the health of our marine environment.
The group urged the Government to create marine reserves before it was too late.
(By MERYL NAIDOO)
