Published Thursday, 14 June, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Science helps guide the Moreton Bay Marine Park review
Marine Park world best practice has guided scientific recommendations by an independent panel tasked with giving advice on the review of the Moreton Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan, Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said today.
“When I announced the marine park zoning plan review in February this year, I said we would be seeking advice from scientists, user groups and the local community before we started to put lines on maps,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Scientific Expert Advisory Panel, chaired by Professor Paul Greenfield, has now handed in their recommendations which will be incorporated into the draft plan.
“The Panel has based their recommendations on world standards in marine reserve design to advise on the habitat types, scientific guiding principles and an analysis method to guide us in developing a draft zoning plan.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the recommendations included a minimum amount of habitat to be protected in no-take areas across 16 habitat types within the marine park.
“The advice is in line with those of the International Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which recommends at least 10% of each of the world’s ecological regions be effectively conserved in marine protected areas.
“Another key principle is that zoning should minimise impacts on users of the marine park including recreational and commercial fishers, boaties, and tourism operators.
“This advice tells us what we need to strive to protect the biodiversity within Moreton Bay Marine Park and at the same time seek to minimise impacts on people’s use of the area.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the EPA would be relying on the ongoing involvement of user groups, the community and key organisations such as the Stakeholder Reference Group.
“When we come to selecting habitats in need of greater protection we recognise that this selection must be justified – scientifically, economically, socially and culturally.
“These recommendations are a starting point for us.
“We will be relying on continued input from key groups and the community about the value they place on various habitats and what increased protection might mean for their use of different parts of the marine park.
“We are looking for an outcome that conserves the unique marine environment within Moreton Bay Marine Park while minimising any impacts on how people use this great area.”
Ms Nelson-Carr thanked the members of the Scientific Expert Advisory Panel for their time and expertise.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002
“When I announced the marine park zoning plan review in February this year, I said we would be seeking advice from scientists, user groups and the local community before we started to put lines on maps,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Scientific Expert Advisory Panel, chaired by Professor Paul Greenfield, has now handed in their recommendations which will be incorporated into the draft plan.
“The Panel has based their recommendations on world standards in marine reserve design to advise on the habitat types, scientific guiding principles and an analysis method to guide us in developing a draft zoning plan.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the recommendations included a minimum amount of habitat to be protected in no-take areas across 16 habitat types within the marine park.
“The advice is in line with those of the International Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which recommends at least 10% of each of the world’s ecological regions be effectively conserved in marine protected areas.
“Another key principle is that zoning should minimise impacts on users of the marine park including recreational and commercial fishers, boaties, and tourism operators.
“This advice tells us what we need to strive to protect the biodiversity within Moreton Bay Marine Park and at the same time seek to minimise impacts on people’s use of the area.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the EPA would be relying on the ongoing involvement of user groups, the community and key organisations such as the Stakeholder Reference Group.
“When we come to selecting habitats in need of greater protection we recognise that this selection must be justified – scientifically, economically, socially and culturally.
“These recommendations are a starting point for us.
“We will be relying on continued input from key groups and the community about the value they place on various habitats and what increased protection might mean for their use of different parts of the marine park.
“We are looking for an outcome that conserves the unique marine environment within Moreton Bay Marine Park while minimising any impacts on how people use this great area.”
Ms Nelson-Carr thanked the members of the Scientific Expert Advisory Panel for their time and expertise.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002