About Save Our Marine Life
Australia's marine life is globally significant, but under threat
Pollution, over fishing, entanglement in nets and destruction of important habitat are just some of the many threats to Australia's remarkable marine life. If this continues, we risk joining the unprecedented global collapse of marine life where two-thirds of the world's coral reefs are dead or dying and 90% of the world's large fish have been fished-out.
Australians claim the third largest area of ocean on Earth and have an international responsibility to conserve our oceans. The Commonwealth Government signed the United Nation's Convention on the Law of the Sea to manage the oceans surrounding our continent for both economic benefit and conservation. However, only four per cent of our 16.5 million square kilometres of oceans around Australia are protected, despite many of our marine species being found nowhere else.
The south west waters of Australia are unprotected
Many thanks to the photographers that support Save Our Marine Life: Glen Cowans www.glencowans.com, Clay Brice, Sue Morrison, Mito Paz, Andrew Halsall courtesy Wilderness Society www.halsall.com.au, Tim Nicol, Joshua Coates
On the east coast of Australia, steps have been taken to protect areas of our marine environment, but in the south west the story is very different.
Less than 1% of the 1.3 million square kilometre south west region is protected from threats.
The Save Our Marine Life Collaboration is an unprecedented alliance of Australian and international conservation groups that have come together to seek the establishment of a network of large marine sanctuaries in the south west.
Save Our Marine Life is using the latest scientific research to identify where these 'National Parks in the sea' should be established to protect vulnerable marine plants and animals from extinction and allow fish stocks to recover. There are numerous 'hotspots' in the south west where valuable fish and other marine species feed and breed.
A greater level of unique marine life than on the Great Barrier Reef
Western Australia's big blue backyard. » Click to enlarge
The south west region, from Eucla to Kalbarri in WA, is home to a far greater level of unique marine life than the Great Barrier Reef.
Up to 90 percent of the species found here are found nowhere else. Almost every week new species are being discovered - it is a truly extraordinary region.
Thousands of species of fish, seabirds, sharks, dolphins, turtles, seals, shellfish and whales live, breed and feed in these waters. The world's largest animal, the endangered blue whale, comes to feed just offshore from Perth - one of only two places in Australia this occurs.
One of the country's most valuable fisheries, the western rock lobster, has evolved in WA's clear, warm waters and a small colony of fur seals still survives after being all but wiped out by commercial sealing.
However this unique area is unprotected
Marine protection requires a network of marine sanctuaries
World-first research by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and James Cook University published in January 2009, found that a network of marine sanctuaries protects species from local extinction plays a major role in rebuilding numbers of threatened fish and other species. http://www.coralcoe.org.au/news_stories/marineparks.html
Australians value their coastline and marine life
The endangered leatherback turtle, the world's largest marine turtle, drifts with the Leeuwin Current feeding on jellyfish © Michael Patrick o'neill / oceanwideimages.com
Australians have a special bond with their coastline and their oceans. We all enjoy holidays on the coast, seafood barbeques, swimming and snorkelling at the beach, fishing, diving and surfing with friends. Our marine environment needs protection if it is to remain healthy and if we are to continue to enjoy what it provides us.
Its also important to remember that a healthy economy needs a healthy environment. Sectors such as Western Australia's $3 billion tourism industry and $45 million whale watching industry depend on unspoiled attractions to draw visitors from around the globe. Additionally valuable fish species such as dhufish and snapper - popular seafood on the West coast - are in decline with fisheries having to close.
A majority of people want much better protection
Public support for marine protection is high. Public polling conducted by Essential Research late last year found that 75 per cent of Western Australians believed there is not enough marine protection in place.
Please help make this possible by signing asking your Federal MP to support large marine sanctuaries today.
