parks victoria technical series marine natural values study vol 2 ...
parks victoria technical series marine natural values study vol 2 ...
parks victoria technical series marine natural values study vol 2 ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Parks Victoria Technical Series No. 79<br />
Flinders and Twofold Shelf Bioregions Marine Natural Values Study<br />
Figure 53. Thornfish Bovichtus angustifrons in Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary<br />
3.1.5 MAJOR THREATS<br />
Threats to <strong>natural</strong> <strong>values</strong> were derived from lists of hazards and associated risks in Carey et<br />
al. (2007b). These were the result of a statewide consultative process to identify threats to<br />
MPAs. Through public and agency workshops, the <strong>natural</strong> <strong>values</strong> in individual MPAs and the<br />
threats that could affect them over the next 10 years, were considered and ranked to identify<br />
hazards. This list of hazards was then ranked (low, medium, high and extreme) by the risk<br />
posed by each hazard (Carey et al. 2007b). Seven hazards with the potential to be extreme<br />
were identified by Carey et al. (2007b). They are listed in rank order and the habitat or area<br />
at risk within the park is indicated in brackets:<br />
1. Introduced <strong>marine</strong> pests from recreational boats leading to impacts on relevant<br />
ecological communities (subtidal reef and soft sediments);<br />
2. Introduced species from commercial vessels (including secondary introductions)<br />
leading to changes in community structure (subtidal reef and soft sediments);<br />
3. Anchoring of recreational boats causing physical damage to subtidal reef habitats<br />
and communities (subtidal reef);<br />
4. Poaching of abalone in commercial quantities leading to decreased abalone<br />
populations and consequent impacts on subtidal reef communities (subtidal reef);<br />
5. Lack of ecological knowledge leading to inappropriate management and thus impacts<br />
on habitats and communities (all of MS);<br />
6. Increased sediment loads from catchment runoff from park/forest roads leading to<br />
decreased water quality (all of MS); and<br />
7. Increased sediment loads from catchment runoff associated with timber harvesting<br />
leading to decreased water quality (all of MS).<br />
107