Other specific occurrences of giant kelp are excluded from the definition of the ecological community and therefore do not trigger the need for referral under national environment law. These are: Patches of giant kelp at shallow depths level that do not form a surface or subsurface canopy. Giant kelp plants that have detached from the substrata and are found floating on the sea surface. Giant kelp plants that have detached from the substrata and washed ashore (sometimes referred to as ‘wrack’). Patches of giant kelp found in the coastal waters of external territories in the southern ocean i.e. Australia’s Heard and Macquarie Islands. Spined leatherjacket © A. Newton Red handfish © T Carter What does protection of the Giant Kelp Marine Forests mean for commercial or recreational fishing activities? 16 July 2000 can continue without further federal The national environment law is not about stopping environment approval. business or preventing recreation marine or fishing activity; it protects unique native plants Existing commercial fisheries which have been Australia’s and animals. The Giant Kelp Marine Forests of managed sustainably and responsible recreational South East Australia ecological community is fishing that help to retain the good condition of the protected under national environment law and ecological community can continue without change. receives protection as a matter of national significance. If you think that your activities are likely to have a significant impact on the ecological community then This means lawful activities that began before you may need federal environment approval. national environment law came into effect on
Other specific occurrences of giant kelp are excluded from the definition of the ecological community and therefore do not trigger the need for referral under national environment law. These are: Patches of giant kelp at shallow depths level that do not form a surface or subsurface canopy. Giant kelp plants that have detached from the substrata and are found floating on the sea surface. Giant kelp plants that have detached from the substrata and washed ashore (sometimes referred to as ‘wrack’). Patches of giant kelp found in the coastal waters of Australia’s external territories in the southern ocean i.e. Heard and Macquarie Islands. Spined leatherjacket © A. Newton Red handfish © T Carter What does protection of the Giant Kelp Marine Forests mean for commercial or recreational fishing activities? The national environment law is not about stopping business or preventing recreation marine or fishing activity; it protects Australia’s unique native plants and animals. The Giant Kelp Marine Forests of South East Australia ecological community is protected under national environment law and receives protection as a matter of national significance. This means lawful activities that began before national environment law came into effect on 16 July 2000 can continue without further federal environment approval. Existing commercial fisheries which have been managed sustainably and responsible recreational fishing that help to retain the good condition of the ecological community can continue without change. If you think that your activities are likely to have a significant impact on the ecological community then you may need federal environment approval.
giant-kelp-marine-forests-fact-sheet.docx