Conservationists have cautiously welcomed the Australian government’s decision to create a vast new marine reserve in the sub-Antarctic.
A 300,000sq km extension of the existing Heard Island and McDonald Islands marine reserve was signed off on Monday. It means that Australia now protects 52% of its oceans – more than any other nation.
The region covered by the new park is a hotbed of biodiversity, home to marine life found nowhere else on Earth. But while the move to protect it was welcomed by conservationists, many question why some key habitats were omitted.
“It’s good, but not great,” said Fiona Maxwell, national oceans manager at the Pew Charitable Trust, which campaigned for the extension. “The marine park will ensure the bulk of the waters around these islands will be free from mining and new, damaging pelagic fisheries.
“[However], the government has decided to leave important undersea canyons, highly biodiverse seamounts, and the Williams Ridge outside of sanctuaries.” This, added academics from the University of Western Australia, was a “missed opportunity”.
Image: Heard Island. Credit: Tristannew