Focal
Point
2001
– A big test for marine conservation
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Focal
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2001 – A big test for marine conservation |
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This year is shaping up to be a big one
in the marine world. Now is our chance to increase fully protected
sanctuary areas in NSW waters. Sanctuary zones provide the same level of
protection as our land national parks, and are the only means of
properly protecting our marine environment.
Studies in the US have shown that for long-term protection to be effective, at least 20% should be zoned under sanctuary ‚no take status. New Zealand has been a leader in marine conservation with the successful establishment of fourteen fully protected reserves where no animals and plants can be removed. NPA and other NSW conservation groups support the 20% sanctuary target. The revision of zoning plans in the three NSW marine parks reaches a critical stage this year. The Marine Parks Authority will release draft zoning plans for both Jervis Bay Marine Park and the Solitary Islands Marine Park during the first half of 2001. This will be a chance to test government commitment to significantly expanding sanctuary zones, in contrast to the minute 0.05% granted over the last five years. The Marine Parks Act was strengthened in November last year with the passing of the Marine Parks Amendment Act 2000.NPA successfully negotiated twenty improvements to this Act, although we were unable to achieve some long-sought and important changes. Highlights of the changes achieved by NPA include a requirement that operational plans must be prepared within a year of zoning-plan adoption; the introduction of yearly and five-yearly reviews of marine park operational plans; assessments of conservation values before wrecks are removed; and improved rights to third parties during public consultation. NPA's new marine educational display is currently enjoying maximum exposure over the summer holidays at the Lady Denman Museum, Jervis Bay, thanks to Jack Soeters, who sits on the Jervis Bay Marine Park Advisory Committee. The display has generated substantial interest and local radio coverage. It includes a revised educational brochure. Additional funding is being sought to further refine the brochure. If you are interested in displaying the exhibition in your area or would like further information, you can contact the NPA Office on 9299 0000 or email me atmarine@npansw.org.au Miriam Vandenberg Marine Project Officer |
| It's a Numbers
Game
I am convinced that one of the main reasons for NPA's successes in achieving its aims is its committed membership of people who are willing and able to put pen to paper (or use a keyboard and modem) to make their views known in a reasoned and rational way. Reason and rationality do not always have great currency with some sections of the media, who seem at times to prefer more populist, emotionally based arguments, but I believe wholeheartedly that this is not the way to go. It may be easier to motivate people initially on the basis of an appeal to the emotions, but it is not for the long term.We will win our battles on the basis of sustained, critical and rigorous thinking, solid research, good science and finely honed communication skills. So, having described how we will get there, who is going to do all this? Membership is critical to our future, and green activists are more often made, not born! We need to seek out from within our community, and to draw into our Branches, those with the enthusiasm, knowledge and skills which will enable us to be aware of developments, to be persuasive in lobbying and proactive in planning Πand we need numbers, big numbers of members, who can write letters. Politicians can count numbers of constituents, pro and con, like you wouldn't believe.) We may need to educate before people understand, so if your new members are with us only for bushwalking, encourage them; but lead them to see that the areas they enjoy need protecting, and conservation is the other side of the bushwalking coin. Make your Branch a real focus of friendship, by having plenty of social activities. Build membership by appreciating and acknowledging members' talents, and don't shrink from letting them know that it is the total of many members working together that will, ultimately, keep us strong and effective. Beth Michie NPA Executive member |
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