Thursday 29 September 2011

Ecolibrium - Endangered species threatened

: The endangered Humphead or Maori Wrasse.

: John Williamson (above) and Tim Winton (below) have given their support to marine park in the Coral Sea.

by Xanthe Rivett

Australia’s territorial waters cover an area twice the size of our land. Under international convention we have both the rights and responsibilities to these waters.

Recently, Threatened Species Day marked an opportune time to acknowledge and celebrate some of the marine species and rich diversity that we have responsibility for in our waters.

In Australia’s Coral Sea 341 bird and animal species are included on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and over half (51%) of these species show declining population trends.

Five Red List species are taken commercially within the Coral Sea: the Humphead or Maori Wrasse (endangered), Bigeye Tuna (vulnerable) and Yellowfin Tuna, Albacore Tuna and Striped Marlin (near threatened).

Other species on the IUCN Red List that are found in the CSCZ include 46 species of sharks and rays, 24 seabird species and 26 species of whale and dolphin, including endangered blue, sei and fin whales.

The endangered scalloped hammerhead shark is found in the Coral Sea as well as the largest fish in the world—the whale shark—which is listed as Vulnerable.

Right now the federal government is considering the future of the Coral Sea within Australian waters.

The federal government has recognised the value of the Coral Sea by declaring a Conservation Zone over the entire area, but this does not change existing uses, and it’s a temporary measure.

We need the government to go further and create the world’s largest permanent marine park. By protecting the Coral Sea we can make this area a safe haven for the 341 IUCN red-listed species which live there and safeguard its biodiversity for the future.

Prominent Australians have added their support to the creation of a Coral Sea Marine Park. Protect our Coral Sea Ambassadors; John Williamson, Jesse Martin, Pat Rafter, Tim Winton, Kristy Hinze, Akira Isogawa and Isabel Lucas have all added their voice in a new video being released to coincide with Threatened Species Day, urging Australians to help protect our Coral Sea.

“Under the ocean there are hundreds of threatened species, so I am 100% behind a huge marine park in the Coral Sea." said musician John Williamson.

Tim Winton said, “The Coral Sea is one of the world's last great refuges for marine species and right now we have a historic opportunity to turn it into one of the world's greatest marine parks, but we need your help. Please, sign up, and help us protect the Coral Sea.”

For more information on how you can help protect our Coral Sea go to www.protectourcoralsea.org.au.

Xanthe Rivett is the Cairns & Regional Outreach Manager for the Protect Our Coral Sea Campaign.

Have your say!

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Caitlin Weatherstone, 05-10-11 11:03:

This marine park will be a great asset to Queensland as it will be the largest marine park in the world! Pete, it is not about 'closing the coral sea to all', it is about closing the coral sea to those who are causing its demise; it will be a no-take zone, not a no-go zone. Divers/snorklers/photographers/sightseekers from all over the world will be able to come to the Coral Sea Marine Park and enjoy its wonders. Pete, the '3 million pigs in Cape York' is another issue all together and they will and cannot ever be eradicated, whereas we can actually put a holt on some of the degradation occurring in the Coral Sea by making it a marine park whilst it is a pristine environment, instead of waiting until there are no fish left to do something about it. Shellie, there are many groups out there dedicated to conserving the Daintree rainforests and there are systems in place to reduce the runoff from land to the reef... the Great Barrier Reef is in trouble because of this runoff, whereas the Coral Sea is over 100kms from the coastline.

Steve Ryan, 03-10-11 09:43:

Shellie and Pete are right that feral animal control doesn't get the funding it deserves. But I fail to see how this reduces the value gained in protecting areas so deserving of protection as the Coral Sea. Unless highly protected, the species mentioned in the article are likely to become as rare (or absent) as they are in the unprotected oceans surrounding the Coral Sea. Even the 33% protection offered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is not enough to prevent sharks and other key predators from becoming increasingly scarce.

Shellie Williams, 01-10-11 18:55:

Now that makes too much sense Pete! Maybe we could send copies of 'Animal Farm',for some spring reading to all those in power...by the way who is in power? Aren't PEW an american mob? Come on Tim Winton...we love your books, but if you are serious about marine sustainability in the Coral Sea, how about our adjoining Daintree...being quietly wiped out by feral imports. Time for common sense to return and prevail, is my say on the matter...

pete ryan, 29-09-11 17:42:

Sounds like the PEW mob are at it again wanting to close the coral sea to all ,here is a idea if the govt and green groups were fair dimkin about saving species put the funds up to wipe out the 3 million odd pigs between here and the cape not to mention feral cats wiping out native bird life but no one seems to care well no one in power does