28 August 2008

Research announced today that praises Australia’s approach to protecting the Great Barrier Reef through no-take areas has been welcomed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Newcastle University and Wildlife Conservation Society say Australia’s protected areas on the Great Barrier Reef were a model for how to protect large reef systems under climate change.

Dr David Wachenfeld from Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said the research confirmed Australia was a world leader in marine conservation.

“It is fantastic that Australia has been recognised as a world leader in marine conservation and that our approach to protected areas has been highlighted as a best practice model in this research,” he said.

“Protected areas on the Reef have made an amazing contribution to protecting plants and animals, ensuring this great Australian icon is protected for the future.

“The research suggests that some areas in the world are facing challenges with their approach to marine conservation but clearly shows the Australian model is working effectively.”

Today’s research comes on the back of other research released this year that also praised the biodiversity benefits of protected areas on the Great Barrier Reef.

Research findings announced by scientists in Townsville in June confirmed there’s been a spectacular recovery in coral trout numbers in protected areas on the Great Barrier Reef.

They found coral trout numbers rebounded by 31 to 75 per cent on a majority of reefs closed to fishing for as little as one and half to two years.