We Demand Australian Marine Sanctuaries Remain Protected!

The Australian government has released draft plans that completely disregard and demolish the National Network of Marine Sanctuaries that were set up in 2012 by all sides of politics and supported by more than 750,000 Australians. The final network was supported by 70 percent of submissions, making it one of the most popular decisions of our time.

The current government’s plans include halving these established marine sanctuaries from 866,335km2 to 465,327km2 and doubling areas that can be exploited for commercial “sustainable” use. In other words, these protected marine sanctuaries will be open for commercial fishing, long lining, gillnetting, trawling and the oil industry “providing no damage is done to the seafloor”. The areas include Queensland’s Coral Sea, Lord Howe, Bremer Bay including a Southern Right Whale nursery, Geographe Bay, Perth Canyon, the Great Australian Bight, the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Kimberley.

Ignoring the Australian public, local communities, scientific recommendations and evidence, the Turnbull government continue to lift environmental protection zones across this country’s land and oceans. However, by law, they are obliged to ask the public to “Tell us what you think - have we got the balance right?”

We have until the 20th September, 2017 to submit our views and have our say.
https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/get-involved/have-your-say/

We take so much from our oceans and rarely give back. If you want yourself, your children and future generations to have healthy marine environments to experience and enjoy, we NEED YOU to stand up and be a voice of protection against this absurd and nonsensical plan.