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More than 250 marine scientists have signed a consensus statement calling on the Australian government to significantly expand the protection given to the country's ocean parks. The statement arrives as a once-in-a-decade review of Commonwealth marine parks is currently underway.
According to a report by Phys.org, the scientists argue that Australia's reputation as a global leader in marine conservation does not match the evidence. While the country has created one of the world's largest marine park networks, research published last year found substantial declines across many marine species and ecosystems despite those parks being in place.
Australia's ocean territory spans all five of the world's climate zones, from coral-rich tropical waters to the icy shores of Antarctica. The country is home to more marine species than any other nation, and its ocean ecosystems support fisheries, tourism, cultural practices, and livelihoods while also helping regulate the global climate.
The core problem identified by researchers is that being designated as a marine park does not automatically mean an area is fully protected. Protection exists on a spectrum. Some zones prohibit commercial fishing and mining entirely. Others allow a range of industrial activities to continue. The scientists say the strongest evidence of conservation benefit consistently comes from areas classified as highly protected no-take sanctuary zones, where extractive activities are banned outright.
Across hundreds of studies conducted worldwide, no-take zones have been shown to support greater biodiversity, healthier ecosystems, and larger fish populations. They also show stronger resilience to the effects of climate change compared to areas with lower levels of protection. Researchers note that these zones also deliver economic benefits by protecting the ecological processes that sustain fisheries and tourism industries.
The declines documented in last year's research were driven by climate change, habitat degradation, unsustainable pressures on marine resources, and gaps in how ocean areas are managed.
The consensus statement, titled Securing a Resilient Future for Australia's Oceans, calls for five specific actions. The first and most prominent is that a minimum of 30 percent of each of Australia's marine bioregions be placed within highly protected no-take sanctuary zones, classified under IUCN categories Ia or II, with priority given to mainland Australia. The statement also calls for a commitment to no future downgrading, downsizing, or removal of existing protections.
About 50 of the more than 250 signatories are researchers from The University of Queensland. The breadth of support across institutions reflects how widely scientists share concern about the current state of Australia's marine management.
The Commonwealth marine parks review provides a direct opportunity for the government to act on the scientific recommendations. The review happens only once every ten years, making the current window a critical moment for decisions that could shape the condition of Australia's ocean ecosystems for decades. The scientists behind the consensus statement are pressing for that review to produce concrete, enforceable commitments to stronger protection rather than adjustments at the margins of existing policy.
