Marine paper parks

Rebecca Hubbard, Marine Campaigner ENVIRONMENT TASMANIA INC. MR

Minister Llewellyn’s announcement to establish 14 paper parks in the spectacular south-east Bruny marine bioregion last night is a lose-lose decision for Tasmania’s marine environment and the community.

Media Release

Marine science ignored in lose-lose decision

Thursday 25th September, Hobart

Minister Llewellyn’s announcement to establish 14 paper parks in the spectacular south-east Bruny marine bioregion last night is a lose-lose decision for Tasmania’s marine environment and the community.

“The Tasmanian Government has comprehensively ignored all scientific evidence that demonstrates that no-take marine reserves are absolutely crucial to protecting the diversity of life in our oceans,” said Rebecca Hubbard, Marine Campaigner with Environment Tasmania.

“The Government has failed to accept the scientifically based recommendations of the RPDC and thereby ignored it’s own state Marine Protected Areas Strategy.

“Internationally, scientists recommend 30% of every habitat be protected and the Tasmanian Govt has embarrassed itself by refusing to protect just 1% of the nationally significant Bruny marine bioregion, which spans from Hellfire Bluff down to Southport.

“This decision is beyond compromise – it is an all out whitewash.

“The Government has wasted $500,000 of tax-payers money, immeasurable amounts of scientists, experts, and community members time, and produced a confusing, ineffective network of paper parks that will not improve protection for the threatened marine wildlife and habitats of this nationally significant and spectacular marine environment.

“Nobody will win from this decision, which will result in the further degradation of the south-east Tasmania’s marine environment. When fishers can’t find fish, children can’t experience the wonder of seeing sharks and huge schools of fish, and snorkelers and divers can no longer see corals and sponges, people will ask who failed to protect this environment.

“When all the kelp forests and the handfish are gone, will Mr Llewellyn put his hand up and say, it’s my fault – I had the chance to secure their future but I didn’t protect them?” concluded Ms Hubbard.

For more information:

Rebecca Hubbard, Marine Campaigner

ENVIRONMENT TASMANIA INC.