#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
STATUS OF MPAS AND REEF CONSERVATION
There is a major contrast between the high level of protection for reefs in Australian
waters, to virtually no protection in PNG waters. This should provide an opportunity to
transfer the experience for conservation to these coral reefs, which contain near
maximum levels of marine biodiversity, before they are damaged by increasing human
pressures. Unfortunately, the government structure in PNG is not favourable for
environmental conservation, with little national leadership to protect valuable resources.
The best chances to conserve the reefs lie in strong traditional ownership in most regions,
combined with the encouragement and support from major NGOs. The Worldwide Fund
for Nature, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, and the Packard
Foundation have all launched major projects to conserve reefs in PNG in recognition of
their high biodiversity, low immediate threats, but potential for major threats in the
future. These initiatives are based on strengthening community based protection of local
areas. The Milne Bay province is a priority area as it contains many different habitat types,
and a mix of biodiversity from seas to the north and south. Hence this site was
recommended recently for listing as a World Heritage Site.
In contrast, Australia has a National Oceans Policy that includes strong commitments to
protect marine biodiversity and is backed up by financial and human resources to plan
marine protected areas and provide considerable enforcement of legislation. The area of
coral reefs under protection is increasing and human pressures that are resulting in
PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY: REPRESENTATIVE AREAS IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
MARINE PARK (GBRMP)
The task for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is to ensure
that the incredible biodiversity in the many different habitats of the GBRMP is
conserved. Managers use a number of tools to achieve this goal: zoning; education;
permits; and management plans. The coral reefs have traditionally been favoured with a
higher level of protection within the Marine Park, but other less-known and lessspectacular
habitats are also important and should be represented within marine
sanctuaries (or ‘no-take’ areas). Thus a ‘representative area’ is selected to represent a
typical ecosystem of the habitats surrounding the coral reefs with all components
considered e.g. physical features, oceanographic processes, biodiversity and ecological
patterns. The approach arises from the realisation that protection of representative
examples of the diversity of habitats is needed, more than a focus on specific habitats
or individual species. The ‘Representative Areas Program’ is a component of the
Australian Oceans Policy released in 1998, which recommended marine and terrestrial
areas that required protection for biodiversity. The Representative Areas Program has
classified 70 regions of biological diversity and found that the existing level of
protection was inadequate. Using information gathered from scientists, stakeholders
and community members, GBRMPA will increase the number of marine sanctuaries to
include examples of every ‘bioregion’ and habitat in the Marine Park. The process
involves full community consultation and a draft zoning plan will be available for further
community input in 2003.
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