EDITORIAL - APRIL 2004
In
this edition of Issues we look at oceans. Launched in December
1998, Australia's Oceans Policy is based on the concept that strong,
diverse and internationally competitive marine industries depend
on the long-term sustainability of a wide range of ocean uses. Therefore,
Australia's Oceans Policy promotes the ecologically sustainable
development of resources, while ensuring the protection of the marine
environment. This edition of Issues highlights how the demands
of different stakeholders are met. The Australian Conservation Foundation's
article Turn the Tide points out that ocean management is subject
to the vagaries of too many different agencies with competing interests
and demands. It argues that Australia's oceans are managed as if
marine industries occur in isolation from each other, but their
collective and cumulative impact is immense.
One strategy used to ensure the protection of our marine environments
is the establishment of marine protected areas. A marine protected
area (MPA) is an area of sea dedicated to the protection and maintenance
of natural and associated cultural resources, and biodiversity,
and is managed through legal or other effective means. MPAs include
marine parks, nature reserves and locally managed marine areas
that protect reefs, seagrass beds, shipwrecks, archaeological
sites, tidal lagoons, mudflats, saltmarshes, mangroves, rock platforms,
underwater areas on the coast, the seabed in deep water, and open
water. Articles by the Department of Environment and Heritage
and the Victorian National Parks Association look at the benefits
of the establishment of MPAs.
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One of the most significant marine industries in Australia is
the seafood industry. The commercial fishing industry ranks fifth
in value among Australian rural industries after beef, wool, wheat
and dairy. About 600 marine and freshwater seafood species are
caught and sold in Australia for local and overseas consumption.
In addition to commercial seafood production, it is estimated
that four million Australians fish for pleasure-making fishing
one of Australia's most popular recreational activities. But is
the industry sustainable? The Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences
recently released its 'Fisheries Status Report 2002-03'. The report
paints a bleak picture about our Commonwealth-managed fisheries.
In summary, of the 70 principal species classified, 16 were classified
as over-fished, 16 as fully fished, 4 as under-fished and 34 were
classified as uncertain. The Australian Marine Conservation Society
believes this report raises alarm bells about Australia's approach
to fisheries management.
The Australian Government has responded to the ongoing concerns
about the environmental impacts of fishing and the risk of over
exploitation of marine resources by incorporating ecological sustainability
requirements into Commonwealth environment and fisheries legislation.
An article by Environment Australia outlines these requirements,
but are they enough?
The Australian Marine Conservation Society believes the major
challenges ahead include reducing and constraining fishing efforts;
removing damaging fishing practices - such as trawling from sensitive
marine areas; reducing bycatch; minimising impacts on threatened
and near threatened marine species such as seabirds and sharks;
properly supporting the establishment of marine protected areas;
and designing fishing closures to help improve fisheries productivity.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society outlines in another
article sustainable seafood choices for consumers.
However, beyond all of these issues we also have cause to celebrate
the great natural asset our oceans are. Seaweek is an annual community
education campaign organised by the Marine Education Society of
Australasia (MESA). It is conducted each year to focus community
awareness, provide increased information and encourage an appreciation
of the ocean, its plants, animals and habitats. Seaweek aims to
promote safe, sensitive and sustainable use of the sea. The article
by MESA at the end of the magazine provides you with information
on how to get involved.
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