Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve
The world’s largest marine protected area will be created in the Coral Sea under a federal government plan to limit the use of nearly 1 million square kilometres of ocean.
As revealed by The Age, the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve – extending from the edge of the Great Barrier Reef to 1100 kilometres from the mainland – will have different levels of environmental protection.
The western half of the reserve will be open for restricted recreational and charter fishing. The eastern half will be a ”no-take” reserve in which fishing is outlawed.
The decision falls short of a campaign by conservationists for the entire sea to be declared ”no-take” due to its largely unspoilt environment and military significance.
Source: The Age
