UQ researchers have today expressed their concern about the limited protection being offered by the draft Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning plan.
The draft plan, produced by the Queensland Government, offers protection to 10-15 percent of the bay.
The seven UQ researchers, from multiple UQ schools and backgrounds, argue that 30-50 percent of each identified marine habitat should be protected to create a successful, self-sustaining marine reserve, an argument which is backed by a number of scientific studies.
Group member Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director of UQ’s Centre for Marine Studies, believes more protection is required to ensure the Bay’s survival.
“With the increased pressures of climate change and population growth in our region, it is even more critical that we protect the maximum habitat within Moreton Bay,” Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said.
“The current rezoning target of 10-15 percent is based on studies done over 16 years ago and was proposed as an important first step for establishing a new marine reserve network.
“Moreton Bay is well established and should be a beneficiary of the latest possible scientific advice.”
Moreton Bay has been a marine park since 1998 and has only been afforded less than one percent protection since its creation.
The group argue that if 30 to 50 percent of Morton Bay is highly protected, the sustainable persistence of biodiversity and long term fisheries will benefit.
“Marine reserves have effects that stretch beyond their boundaries,” said Professor Hugh Possingham, who is Director of The UQ Ecology Centre.
“Research has shown that marine reserves increase fishery yields and repopulate exploited species through the ‘spillover’ of animals from inside the reserves and the export of juveniles to adjacent marine areas.”
Dr Kathy Townsend, who is Moreton Bay Research Station Manager, said increased protection was essential if Queenslanders wanted to enjoy the Bay in the future.
“Moreton Bay is a unique and special place, possessing enviable biodiversity and beauty. This zoning review is not about stopping people from enjoying Moreton Bay,” Dr Townsend said.
“It’s about putting measures into place which will allow even greater enjoyment in the future.
“With this zoning review, it is a timely opportunity to put good scientific based marine park management into practice.
“The changes made in this review will not be looked at again until after 2018.
“This is the important local marine issue, and we should all be concerned about getting it right,”
Other researchers who have expressed their concern over the draft plan include Professor John Pandolfi and Dr Catherine Lovelock from the Centre for Marine Studies and Associate Professor David Neil from the School of Geography and Environmental Planning.
You can have your say on the Morton Bay Marine Park draft zoning plan by visiting www.epa.qld.gov.au/moretonbay.
For more information about making a submission visit www.savemoretonbay.org.au
Deadline closes 5pm on March 7, 2008.
Media contacts
Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Centre for Marine Studies, The University of Queensland (07) 3365 2579
Professor John Pandolfi, Centre for Marine Studies, The University of Queensland (07) 3365 3050
Professor Hugh Possingham, The Ecology Centre, The University of Queensland (07) 3365 9766
Dr Kathy Townsend, Moreton Bay Research Station, The University of Queensland (07) 3409 9058
Dr Catherine Lovelock, Centre for Marine Studies, The University of Queensland (07) 3365 4333
Associate Professor David Neil, School of Geography and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland (07) 3365 6717
