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Dear Environment Minister Watt,
[YOUR OPTIONAL PERSONAL MESSAGE WILL APPEAR HERE]
The expansion of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Park is a positive step forward for the protection of the regions’ globally significant conservation values. I support the expansion of sanctuary (IUCN II) protection for the shelf habitat and a ban on mining and new damaging fisheries in the marine park as set out in the draft management plan.
I am concerned that the zoning for the park does not adequately protect key conservation features, such as undersea canyons, unique seamounts and the Williams Ridge. These areas have important seafloor habitats and support feeding grounds for species such as Antarctic fur seals, elephant seals, penguins, albatrosses and support a variety of fish.
The government’s own science report and an independent science report acknowledged the importance of these areas and that there was inadequate protection for important seafloor habitat, foraging areas for albatross and macaroni penguins, and for areas supporting an abundance and variety of fish. It also highlighted the global significance of these waters and the threats posed by climate change, pollution, fishing and invasive species. This was also recognised by a recent independent study which recommended protection for 6 key conservation features – five of which are not adequately protected in the zoning of the draft management plan.
I urge you to ensure the final management plan increases fully protected marine sanctuaries (IUCN II) for key conservation features prioritising protection for the southern canyons and Williams Ridge including the seamounts.
Please accept this as a submission to the consultation on the Draft management plan for the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME, EMAIL AND POSTCODE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE INCLUDED HERE]
Who can make a submission?
Anyone! This consultation is open to the public. We strongly encourage all ocean lovers to add their name.
What happens when you add your name?
Adding your name will send a submission to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water / Australian Antarctic Division regarding its consultation on the Draft management plan for the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve. You can learn more about the proposals and how your submission may be used via the consultation hub. Know that your submission will be read by real people and that taking this action has real impact.
What area is this consultation about?
Over the last few months, you may have heard about the Australian Government’s 60 day consultation into marine parks across a vast part of our offshore ocean. That consultation covered offshore (Commonwealth) waters around the Australian mainland, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. It did not include the Heard and McDonald Islands, which are managed separately. We hope to bring you more updates about the results of that consultation soon.
In the meantime, this current consultation is asking for your feedback on newly released plans for the marine park around the sub-Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands. The more of us that speak up, the more likely it is that fully protected marine sanctuaries are expanded to protect the penguins and seals that call these wild islands home!
What’s the difference between a marine park and a marine sanctuary?
Marine parks are meant to protect our ocean. Yet, more than half of our offshore Australian Marine Parks are open to damaging activities like industrial fishing, drilling for fossil fuels, and seismic blasting.
Marine sanctuaries are a type of marine park that act like national parks in the ocean. They fully protect marine life from damaging activities like bottom trawling, seismic blasting and drilling for fossil fuels. Recreational activities like snorkelling, surfing, boating, and diving are still allowed.
Scientific evidence shows marine sanctuaries lead to more fish, bigger fish and healthier ecosystems. They increase resilience to coral bleaching and climate impacts and help replenish surrounding waters. They are the heart of a healthy ocean.
Feature image: King penguins beneath Big Ben volcano on Heard Island. Image by Matt Curnock.