Australia sets world standard for marine parks “This
announcement represents a major advance in marine conservation
in Australia and sets an important example to the world,” said
WWF marine conservation spokeperson, Paul Gamblin. WWF welcomed
the sanctuaries that have been created in places like the reefs
of the Coral Sea, parts of the Kimberley, the Diamantina
fracture zone off the southwest (Australia’s biggest mountain
range) and Houtman Canyon off WA, areas off Cape York near the
Wellesley Islands and some of the seamounts off NSW. However,
some of Australia’s important ocean environments providing homes
for whales, dolphins, turtles, dolphins, sharks and other
wildlife have been excluded and remain vulnerable to oil spills
and destructive fishing practices. “While parks are protecting
some areas, oil and gas rigs are still moving ever closer to
places like the stunning Rowley Shoals and Ningaloo Reef off
Western Australia. These are among the jewels in the crown for
Australia’s marine environment and sur