Marine Parks - Securing a Rich Tapestry of Biodiversity

Importance of Australia’s Marine Environment

The beauty of oceans and seas that encircle Australia’s coast is vast and varying climates and biodiversity within them.  Australia has a full range of temperature zones, from tropical to polar and a rich diversity within each of those zones.  Australia’s coasts are comprised of over 4,000 fish varieties, tens of thousands of invertebrates, as well as, numerous plants and micro-organisms.  Large areas have yet to be fully explored and new species are discovered often.  Nevertheless, scientists estimate about 80% of marine species do not exist elsewhere in the world.

Use of the NSW Marine Environment

In 2001, more than 80% of Australians lived within a 50km distance of the coast. The coast and sea are crucially important economically, recreationally and culturally.  This is seen through areas such as Tourism and Recreation, Fisheries (commercial and recreational), Aquaculture, Ports and Shipping, Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Mineral Exploration, Submarine Cables, Disposal of Waste, and Novel Use of Marine Organisms. 
Tourism & Recreation- Marine based tourism in 2002-03 was valued at $4.5 billion and accounted for some 82% of all jobs in the marine related fields.
Commercial Fisheries- In 2003, there were 1900 commercial fisheries that accounted for up to 2.3% of all jobs in NSW. 
Recreational Fishing- NSW has the most recreational fishers in Australia compared to any other State and spent an estimated $554 million in 2000 on their hobby.
Aquaculture- Aquaculture is basically fish farming and is developing at a rapid rate.  Aquaculture in NSW represents about 30% of fisheries production and was dominated by Sydney Rock Oyster production, valued at $33 million. 
Ports & Shipping- International trade with Australia is mainly carried out through sea freights and has steadily increased in the past 20 years.  There are three of the top ten ports of Australia in NSW: Newcastle, Port Kembla and Sydney.  Total imports and exports in NSW in 2005-06 were valued at nearly $62 billion.
Oil & Gas- While there is no current oil or gas production off the coast of NSW, estimates report that there are sizeable amounts of both between NSW and New Zealand.
Renewable Energy- Renewable energy from the marine environment comes in three basic forms: wave, tidal and wind.  Only one renewable energy source has been installed in NSW, a wave power device in Port Kembla.  However, other forms of renewable energy devices have been installed and proven to work around the world such as wind turbines in Holland and the UK.
Mineral Exploration- Just as with gas and oil, no mineral exploration is currently taking place off the NSW coast.  There are potential sources of sand, manganese and phosphates.  All mining and mineral exploration must have a valid Mineral Exploration License to operate.  There is, however, a company currently applying for one currently to actively mine sand.
Submarine Cables- These cables off the coast of NSW are Australia’s mechanism for communication and estimated to be worth $5 billion annually to the national economy.  There are three cables connecting Australia to Japan and USA.
Disposal of Waste- Previously, dumping at sea was thought to be a viable source for decreasing pressure on land-based facilities.  International law, based from the London Convention which Australia is a signatory, has shown the harsh impacts of dumping at sea and strictly regulated it.  However, dumping still exists as long as all permits are obtained and hazardous/toxic materials from previous dumping still remain in certain areas.
Novel Use of Marine Organisms- Bioprospecting is the acquiring of new species for new purposes like medical, commercial or agricultural.  Just as researches explore rainforests for new species, the marine environment is also beginning to be inspected and new species are found all the time, as well as new advances from old species.  Such can be seen with a certain type of sea snail that is currently being used to develop a new type of chronic pain treatment.

 

Threats to the marine environment

Development:  In 2001, 85% of the population in NSW lived within 50km of the coast and in 2004 the proportion of NSW coastline had increased from 4% in 1980 to 27%.  Coastal development affects the marine environment by disturbing and shifting habitats of terrestrial species, such as seabirds, and affecting coastal water quality due to run-offs of contaminated water from buildings and roads.
Pollution:  According to Australia’s State of the Environment Report 2001, maintaining and restoring water quality was the most critical environmental marine environment issue.  Pollution from industry; agriculture; spills/accidents from shipping; spills/accidents from land-based sources that reach the waters; vessel discharge; and run-off, as mentioned above, which includes: sediments, nutrients, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pathogens and other toxic chemicals.  The result of these various types of pollution is a reduced diversity, loss of pollution-sensitive diversity, and persistent chemicals in our coastal waters. 
Invasive species: Just as the (Cane Toad) has caused problems on terrestrial land, new/invasive species can have the same effect in the marine environment.  Where there are no natural predators to control populations, entire ecosystems can be threatened.  In most cases, the invasive species enters through human activity such as the release of ballast water (water carried in ships to provide balance and equilibrium when sailing.)
Fishing: Fish stock depletion is a major area of concern in many parts of the world.  Local fish stock assessments are made by data gathered from commercial fisheries compared against older data to assess if the intake of stock is higher, the same or lower than previous years.  Although few species of fish are considered to be over-fished in the NSW region, most available data shows that the other fish are classified as ‘fully exploited’ meaning they are fished at sustainable levels. 
By-Catch or Unintended Catch: Many protected species like turtles and sharks are often caught inadvertently through trawl nets and dredges.  These are known as ‘by-catch.’  Unintended catches are those that are caught by ‘ghost-fishing’ or caught by discarded fishing gear.
Shipping: Shipping fleets also impact the marine environment through many accidental means.  Collision with large marine animals, the introduction of invasive species, spills of hazardous materials and damage caused by anchors.
Climate Change:  Climate change increases the flow of warm water, as well as the overall temperature of the sea.  This causes unintended migration and distribution of species as well as habitats.  This causes the introduction of new species as well as the increased reproduction of older ones, like the jellyfish.

Benefits OF Marine Parks

Benefits cited in scientific studies that may result from the implementation of marine protected areas like marine parks and their sanctuary zones include:
· increases in the abundance, biomass, diversity and productivity of many organisms;
· reductions in the loss of threatened and vulnerable species;
· helping ecosystems recover from natural and human impacts;
· increased protection of important species and habitats;
· the provision of reference sites for the evaluation of threats to biodiversity; and
· improved engagement and education of the community concerning issues of marine conservation.
Moreover, the installation of sanctuary or ‘no-take’ zones has proven to increase the abundance and size of fish and invertebrate stock compared to those areas outside the sanctuary zone where fishing still took place, especially in species that were said to be heavily exploited. 
The increased abundance from the areas, in turn, creates a spill-over effect to other areas.  This means that as the levels of fish stocks rise in a certain area, when the numbers get too large, the fish will begin to ‘spill-out’ of the area.  This increased movement of fish can improve the quality of fishing in the surrounding areas.