Scientists from the University of Queensland’s Centre of Excellence in Environmental Decisions have found worrying shortcomings in the federal government’s planned marine reserve network.
The marine parks aim to balance leisure, commercial and conservation interests, covering 2.3 million square kilometres of sea with differing levels of protection.
The assessment found the highly protected areas are situated in deep water, whereas the most vulnerable ecosystems are usually located on the continental shelf.
Of the 85 identified “bioregions” in Australian waters, 30 have the highest level of protection for less than 1% of their area.
Read more at The University of Queensland