Ecotone Vol32 No4 - CAFNEC

Ongoing work for the
protection of the iconic
Coral Sea
BY MARIASOLE BIANCO
As many of you would be aware, the national network
of marine reserves recognises the value of our oceans as
the common heritage of all Australians and announces
Australia as a world’s leader in marine conservation.
During the recent public consultation period on the
final zoning over 83,000 people entered submissions
in favour of the marine reserve network.
However, the process for the effective
establishment and management of the national
marine reserve network, including the proposed
Coral Sea Marine Reserve, continues.
The next step, which we are expect to be very soon,
is the ‹proclamation› of the marine reserves that will
confirm the boundaries and zoning and make them
official – not just a plan. After the proclamation we will
enter in what it is likely to be the most crucial phase of
the process: the development of the management plan.
This means that, following the proclamation, there
will be two more rounds of public consultation
for the management plans when it will be
fundamental that we provide our input to ensure
that the iconic Coral Sea is effectively protected.
The ocean sustains all life on earth and it is
fundamental to act decisively to protect key areas of
our unique marine environment. The Coral Sea truly is
the jewel in the crown of the new national system of
marine reserves and we now urge the Minister for the
Environment to do all he can to protect this special
place into the future by developing a comprehensive
and effective management plan. So stay tuned and
celebrate the proclamation with us but remember that
the Coral Sea needs your input now more than ever!
The management plan will define all the
activities that will be allowed within the
reserve and how they must be carried out.
By Australian law, management plans are prepared
by the Director of National Parks with public input,
and approved by the federal Minister for the
Environment following the process outlined below.
1. The Director of National Parks
publishes a notice inviting public
comment for a period of 30 days on the
proposal to prepare a draft management
plan and then prepares the draft.
2.The draft management plan is released
for the public comment for a period of 30 days.
3. The Director of National Parks
provides the Minister for the Environment
with the second draft management
plan which takes into account the
public comments on the draft plan.
4. The Minister considers the draft
plan and if satisfied, approves
the management plan.
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5. The plan is then tabled in both
Houses of the Commonwealth
Parliment and comes into force
after 15 Parliamentary sitting days,
provided it has not been disallowed.