Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
Opinion: Martin Pritchard on Opposition marine sanctuary policy
Rare white-tailed humpback whale
Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard says Tony Abbott plans to freeze all marine park planning.
“This is a big step backwards in protecting threatened species like turtles and humpback whales, coral reefs and fish nurseries,” he said.
You can read his statement here:
MEDIA RELEASE – 27th July 2010
TONY ABBOTT THREAT TO FUTURE OF KIMBERLEY MARINE LIFE
Tony Abbott’s plan to freeze marine park planning around the country, including the internationally important Kimberley coast, shows that he’s completely out of touch with West Australian community sentiment. This is a big step backwards in protecting threatened species like turtles and humpback whales, coral reefs and fish nurseries, Environs Kimberley said today.
The Kimberley has one of the least spoilt coasts in the world. Its isolation has spared it from the impacts of industrialisation and damaging development until recently, but now it is in urgent need of protection from overfishing and disasters like the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
“Polling last week in WA showed that 80% of WA voters want our marine life protected. The Coalition’s policy announcement today that they will stop all action to look after our oceans flies in the face of public sentiment,” Environs Kimberley Director Martin Pritchard said.
“Marine sanctuaries off the Kimberley coast would protect the whale-watching industry and safeguard the fishing industry into the future,” Mr Pritchard said.
“If Tony Abbott’s Coalition gains government then the Kimberley will lose out. We need marine protection to provide economic opportunities and support local businesses without harming the environment.”
“We also need to draw the line on where oil exploration can occur. We need to learn the lessons from the Montara oil spill last year, as well as BP’s Gulf of Mexico disaster. A spill close to the Kimberley’s more than 2,600 islands and fringing coral reefs would be devastating and virtually impossible to clean-up,” said Mr Pritchard. “Mr Abbott says Man and nature must live together, but under his plans, nature is going to come off second best.”
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