Introduction
This submission is a response to the “Proclamation proposal for the establishment of marine parks in Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) (Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands)”. These marine park proposals have been co-designed with the residents of Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, in consultation with other stakeholders, and a draft released for public comment – a process we endorse.
The draft proposal for the marine parks received 15,244 public submissions. Most respondents (99%) strongly supported the marine park design, particularly the large sanctuary zones offshore. The draft proposal had 60 unique submissions and 15,184 campaign submissions. 85% of the unique submissions (51 submissions) supported the proposed offshore green zones, with 47 supportive of the government’s draft proposal, and 4 wanting increased sanctuary in the inshore area. There were 4 unique submissions from the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery concession holders and fishing representative bodies (2 each). These submissions did not support the large green zones offshore. The strong support for the large, well-protected marine parks in the Indian Ocean Territories highlights the public support for marine parks in Australian waters.
The proposed marine parks will help safeguard one of ‘the most unique and threatened marine bioregions in Australia’ [2], a region that, with the exception of small marine areas in the existing national parks, is not yet included in the National Reserve System of Marine Protected Areas.
Summary Report
The Pilbara epitomises endurance – over geological, evolutionary and cultural timeframes.
