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Australia's dive industry calls for expanded ocean protections

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Australia's dive industry is campaigning for expanded marine park protections, including no-fishing zones in the Coral Sea.
  • The campaign coincides with a federal review of marine park protections, due to occur once a decade.
  • The dive sector, worth billions annually, argues for stronger protections to preserve marine breeding grounds and tourism appeal.

Australia's dive industry has launched a national advertising campaign urging the government to expand protections for offshore waters, particularly in the Coral Sea.

The sector is advocating for increased no-fishing and no-drilling zones ahead of a crucial federal review of the nation's marine parks. This review, which happens only once every ten years, will determine the future of 44 Commonwealth marine park protections.

We're not a bunch of greenies trying to save the planet. This is something that is extremely serious.

— Dr Terry CumminsDr. Cummins, president of Dive Queensland, clarified the dive industry's motivation for seeking stronger ocean protections.

Dr. Terry Cummins, president of Dive Queensland, emphasized that the industry's call for protection is not driven by environmental activism alone. "We're not a bunch of greenies trying to save the planet. This is something that is extremely serious," he stated. The dive tourism sector is a significant economic contributor, estimated to be worth around $4.2 billion annually.

These areas are breeding grounds for many different marine creatures that roam our oceans and eventually come right up to our coastline. People come from all over the world to see a turtle or a shark. And if they're lucky enough to see a manta ray or a whale shark, they go home excited about the preservation of the oceans.

— Dr Terry CumminsDr. Cummins explained the ecological and tourism importance of remote marine areas.

Cummins highlighted the importance of remote offshore areas, especially in the Coral Sea, as vital breeding grounds for marine life that eventually populates coastal waters. He noted that international visitors are drawn to these areas to witness diverse marine creatures like turtles, sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks, fostering a global appreciation for ocean preservation.

The federal government has committed to increasing highly protected marine areas to 30% of Australia's waters by 2030, up from the current 24%. This classification prohibits all fishing, drilling, and mining activities. Environment Minister Murray Watt is consulting with various stakeholders, including conservationists, fishers, and industry representatives, before a public consultation period begins.

We remain strongly committed to broad consultation throughout the review, and welcome all feedback during the process.

— Senator WattSenator Watt, the federal environment minister, commented on the government's approach to the marine park review.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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