Protection for Barrier Reef
2003-12-03 14:14
Australia - Fishing would be outlawed on one third of Australia's Great Barrier Reef in a bid to protect its fragile marine environment and the multibillion dollar tourism industry it supports, the government announced on Wednesday.
"It is based on the best science from Australia and internationally and will become an important insurance policy for environmental protection as well as security for industries and communities that depend on the reef," Environment Minister David Kemp said in a statement.
Kemp's proposal would increase so-called high protection green zones from 4.5% to 33.3% of the reef or from 16 000 square kilometres to 114 000 square kilometres. In these areas tourism would be the only industry allowed, and all fishing would be banned.
The Great Barrier Reef stretches for almost 2 000 kilometres along Australia's northeast coast. It is the largest chain of coral reefs and islands in the world, and one of Australia's most popular tourist spots.
According to the government, tourism linked to the reef is worth A$4.3bn each year, dwarfing the recreation and commercial fishing industries that are currently permitted in the area.
But there have been concerns in recent years that overfishing is depleting the colourful marine life that swims around the reef _ that ranges from sharks and turtles to tiny orange and white striped clown fish such as the animated star of movie blockbuster Finding Nemo.
Although some of the damage to the reef is blamed on fishing, environmentalists also say global warming and soil swept down rivers from farms after heavy rain also is having a devastating effect on the coral.
Global warming is believed to be to blame for coral bleaching _ when colourful reefs turn white due to rises in sea temperature -while soil swept into the ocean can form a smothering blanket over the coral.
Opposition parties have signalled support for the proposal, meaning it should get parliamentary approval and come into force by the middle of next year.
- AP