Rebecca Hubbard Marine Campaigner, Environment Tasmania
A report revealing over 400 oceanic “dead zones” released in this weeks Science magazine should be causing alarm bells to reach deafening point for the Tasmanian Government. Combined with the abalone virus scare, our growing list of threatened marine species, and worsening climate change, this new report pushes home the urgent need for marine reserves.
Media Release
Tasmania, not immune to oceanic collapse
Thursday 18 September
A report revealing over 400 oceanic “dead zones” released in this weeks Science magazine should be causing alarm bells to reach deafening point for the Tasmanian Government. Combined with the abalone virus scare, our growing list of threatened marine species, and worsening climate change, this new report pushes home the urgent need for marine reserves.
The report led by Robert Diaz of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, concludes that there are now over 400 “dead zones” in coastal marine systems in the world, affecting more than 245,000 square kilometers. A “dead zone” is created when excess nutrients enter the water, causing algal blooms, which consume large amounts of dissolved oxygen when decomposing. The resulting lack of oxygen makes it hard for fish and other marine mammals to breathe, resulting in massive die-offs. (http://www.vims.edu/deadzone/)
“This new report, combined with the current abalone virus scare in Tasmania, and our growing list of endangered marine life such as the Spotted Handfish and declining kelp forests, should be considered a very loud alarm bell for the Tasmanian Government,” said Rebecca Hubbard, Marine Campaigner with Environment Tasmania.
“Tasmania is not immune to the threats that are decimating the world’s oceans. Climate change impacts such as sea temperature rise, invading pests like the long-spine urchin that are devastating our kelp forests, pollution, and over-fishing, are all combining to wear down the health of our marine environment.
“There is nowhere for Tasmania’s fish and marine wildlife to go to get away from these pressures, with only 0.06% of our state waters protected. Unlike on land, where over 22% of our environment is protected in national parks and reserves.
“Marine reserves, just like national parks on land, allow activities like surfing, diving, and boating, without taking anything out. This gives our marine wildlife and habitats the space to exist with minimum human impact, and ensures they have the best chance of survival.
“The Tasmanian Government must act urgently to create a state-wide network of no-take reserves, including in the unique south-east Bruny Bioregion, to protect our precious marine environments, before it’s too late,” concluded Ms Hubbard.
Rebecca Hubbard
Marine Campaigner
Environment Tasmania
W: www.et.org.au
A: PO Box 1073, Hobart TAS 7001
