ANTARCTIC MARINE RESERVE TALKS CRITICAL FOR TASMANIA
The Tasmanian Greens today said CCAMLR talks underway in Hobart to create a marine protected area around the Antarctic continent were hugely significant for Tasmania’s future role as the world’s Antarctic gateway.
Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said that the failure of the talks would be a setback to the campaign to protect the Antarctic wilderness, and a missed economic opportunity for Tasmania.
“These international talks are enormously significant for Tasmania, because our role as the world’s Antarctic gateway depends on whether all nations can agree on the need to protect this fragile and pristine wilderness,” Ms O’Connor said.
“This last, untouched area is now threatened by the same commercial pressures that have inflicted enormous harm to the ecological balance of nearly every ocean on the planet.”
“The Southern Ocean circling Antarctica is a pristine environment that is rich with life, and there is already evidence that the global fishing fleet is eyeing it off as their next big target.”
“We need to continue to support the scientific work carried out in Tasmania, for all the enormous benefits it brings to the state and to the Antarctic ecosystem.”
“The Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre based here is world class and world leading, and conducts research and provides policy and decision makers with scientific information.”
“The Australian Antarctic Division, UTAS and the CSIRO have been long term and major contributors to environmental research, as well as Tasmania’s economy and our international reputation.”
Earlier on Tasmanian Times: China blocks marine park plan
• Christine Milne: Greens call on Government to continue to support marine parks for Antarctica
The Australian Greens today expressed disappointment at the failure of the CCAMLR talks to establish the largest marine reserve on the planet and urged the Australian Government to continue their efforts in the talks in Germany next year.
“Just this week in a briefing to Parliamentarians CSIRO acknowledged the limited understanding of the biodiversity of marine ecosystems and that is on top of the threats proposed by climate change and more acidic oceans on the food chain” said Australian Greens leader Senator Christine Milne.
“Now is the time we should be expanding marine reserves and ensuring that key marine ecosystems are protected.
“The Ross Sea and east Antarctica is one of the most unique and pristine areas on the planet, we should be acting now to protect this area” said Senator Milne
“Nations eyeing off this area for fishing because they have overfished their waters should not be allowed to undermine this important conservation initiative. Global overfishing and climate change make it even more essential that areas such as the Ross Sea are protected” said Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Marine spokesperson.
“The Australian Greens support Australia’s efforts to establish this important marine reserve and call on the Government to renew their efforts in talks in Germany next year” concluded Senator Siewert.
