UQ researchers united in call for greater Bay protection

[Derek Bullock]

UQ researchers united in call for greater Bay protection

Published: 06 March 2008

Moreton Bay Research Station in Moreton Bay UQ researchers have today expressed their concern about the limited protection being offered by the draft Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning plan.

The draft plan, produced by the Queensland Government, offers protection to 10-15 percent of the bay.

The seven UQ researchers, from multiple UQ schools and backgrounds, argue that 30-50 percent of each identified marine habitat should be protected to create a successful, self-sustaining marine reserve, an argument which is backed by a number of scientific studies.

Group member Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director of UQ's Centre for Marine Studies, believes more protection is required to ensure the Bay's survival.

“With the increased pressures of climate change and population growth in our region, it is even more critical that we protect the maximum habitat within Moreton Bay,” Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said.

“The current rezoning target of 10-15 percent is based on studies done over 16 years ago and was proposed as an important first step for establishing a new marine reserve network.

“Moreton Bay is well established and should be a beneficiary of the latest possible scientific advice.”

Moreton Bay has been a marine park since 1998 and has only been afforded less than one percent protection since its creation.

The group argue that if 30 to 50 percent of Morton Bay is highly protected, the sustainable persistence of biodiversity and long term fisheries will benefit.

“Marine reserves have effects that stretch beyond their boundaries,” said Professor Hugh Possingham, who is Director of The UQ Ecology Centre.

“Research has shown that marine reserves increase fishery yields and repopulate exploited species through the ‘spillover' of animals from inside the reserves and the export of juveniles to adjacent marine areas.”

Dr Kathy Townsend, who is Moreton Bay Research Station Manager, said increased protection was essential if Queenslanders wanted to enjoy the Bay in the future.

“Moreton Bay is a unique and special place, possessing enviable biodiversity and beauty. This zoning review is not about stopping people from enjoying Moreton Bay,” Dr Townsend said.

“It's about putting measures into place which will allow even greater enjoyment in the future.

“With this zoning review, it is a timely opportunity to put good scientific based marine park management into practice.

“The changes made in this review will not be looked at again until after 2018.

“This is the important local marine issue, and we should all be concerned about getting it right,”

Other researchers who have expressed their concern over the draft plan include Professor John Pandolfi and Dr Catherine Lovelock from the Centre for Marine Studies and Associate Professor David Neil from the School of Geography and Environmental Planning.

You can have your say on the Morton Bay Marine Park draft zoning plan by visiting www.epa.qld.gov.au/moretonbay.

For more information about making a submission visit www.savemoretonbay.org.au

Deadline closes 5pm on March 7, 2008.

[PinHead]

"The current rezoning target of 10-15 percent is based on studies done over 16 years ago and was proposed as an important first step for establishing a new marine reserve network. "

There we go...what a lot of us have been saying all along..that there is no current research results available. So we just take a punt and make these zones.
We have scientists calling for these zones based on what ? their own ideals..nothing else because there is nothing else..exactly as the Professor has stated.

[Lucky_Phill]

One thing gives me the irrates more than a school boy telling porkies, and that is a supposed educated person telling them.

" Moreton Bay has been a marine park since 1998 and has only been afforded less than one percent protection since its creation. "

This person has not even bothered to read the EPA's own information.

Currently, 46% of Moreton Bay is covered by some sort of EPA protection zones.

This is the same drivel being spewed out by the AMCS.

When will these people learn that " guessing " is not good enough !!

16 year old research............. indeed..... indeed !!!!

"Moreton Bay is well established and should be a beneficiary of the latest possible scientific advice.”

YES............YES............YES.... exactly......... this is the very statement the fishoes of Moreton Bay have been trying to push down the throats of the Pollies and EPA for months... but still they refuse to listen....why ???? why ????

Time for a cuppa.....

Phill

[Jackinthebox]

the seven UQ researchers, from multiple UQ schools and backgrounds, argue that 30-50 percent of each identified marine habitat should be protected to create a successful, self-sustaining marine reserve, an argument which is backed by a number of scientific studies.

And notice that all of these people calling for 30-50% protection work in the same University of QLD Faculty as half of the EPA's "Expert advisory panel"

Right at the top of this list of laboratory experts is our good buddy Hugh Possingham from UQ. This zoning is gonna be interesting when it comes out!

Gee, i wonder which newspaper printed this nice report for all the people out there in readerland?

[castlemaine]

Group member Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director of UQ's Centre for Marine Studies, believes more protection is required to ensure the Bay's survival.


Dr Kathy Townsend, who is Moreton Bay Research Station Manager, said increased protection was essential if Queenslanders wanted to enjoy the Bay in the future.
.

Inventing jobs for yourself, IMO. More closures, more research, more Government grants for academics. How are Queenslanders going to enjoy the Bay if they close it up???
The sky is falling, quick let's all do some research on it ps we need a government grant, how about the money you're going to take away from the carer's allowance?

[Little grey men]

[QUOTE]Gee, i wonder which newspaper printed this nice report for all the people out there in readerland?
QUOTE]

Most likely the same paper that won't publish my bloody cartoons...I've even tried drawing them with a nice green pen...unloved and unwanted.he he he

[Didley]

Can't be true, all the scientific evidence is against the green zones isn't it, that's what I'm told. It amazing the rubbish that is pushed out when the backs against the wall isn't it. Don't they know this will destroy businesses that have anything to do with the water. Academics, why don't they listen to the science, that's what I want to know?

[Horse]

Gee I wonder who actually pays these guys in terms of research grants etc. There reaction sounds a bit like the Sunfish response. They don't want to bite the hand that feeds them

[Blueroo]

How will more protection from fishing stop the biodiversity from dying from such things as pollution, starvation from mangrove mosquito spraying, dredging, urban runoff, rural runoff, fireweed outbreaks etc etc etc.
These researchers are so off the mark its not funny.

When are these jokers going to do something worthwhile like come up with a plan that will REALLY SAVE THE BAY.
They need to get out from under their computers and get out on and under the bay and do their research.

HOW IS STOPPING FISHING GOING TO MAKE THE BAY SURVIVE. GET REAL.

Stue

[castlemaine]

Can't be true, all the scientific evidence is against the green zones isn't it, that's what I'm told. It amazing the rubbish that is pushed out when the backs against the wall isn't it. Don't they know this will destroy businesses that have anything to do with the water. Academics, why don't they listen to the science, that's what I want to know?

They didn't get a Government grant to do the research ...

[Ben D]

How will more protection from fishing stop the biodiversity from dying from such things as pollution, starvation from mangrove mosquito spraying, dredging, urban runoff, rural runoff, fireweed outbreaks etc etc etc.
These researchers are so off the mark its not funny.

When are these jokers going to do something worthwhile like come up with a plan that will REALLY SAVE THE BAY.
They need to get out from under their computers and get out on and under the bay and do their research.

HOW IS STOPPING FISHING GOING TO MAKE THE BAY SURVIVE. GET REAL.

Stue

Spot on Stue. The research they allude to almost entirely originates from other parts of the world. The truth is very little if any information is available on effects of recreational fishing in ecosystems like Moreton Bay. There is more Australian based information on coral reef fishes, where there are benefits to fish stocks when closures are made becaue the majority of reef fish are site attached and complete their life cycles in the closed zones. But Moreton Bays fish are mostly seasonal visitors, and its main problem is the 2 million people living on its doorstep and the pollution, eutrophication and other associated human associated impacts. When you actually look at the species rec fishers catch in the bay its clear the majority are seasonal migrators and thus the green zones proposed do little if anything in the way of real protection. In many cases the green zones have been set up to protect the bottom habit, so the real question is how much does line fishing affect bottom habitat ? Very little I would say, certaionly in no way as much as poor water quality does . By the way, isn't the EPA responsible for water quality ? Is this passing the buck or shooting the messenger because rec fishers are soft targets ? Can divers etc. still be allowed to anchor up in many of these places and thus effect the bottom habitat while fishos are excluded ? Despite what the EPA say its defacto fisheries management, poorly thought out and badly implemented. If they wanted to really protect fish stocks, better to put in closed seasons in known breeding areas around the bars like the Pin. Have a look at the situation with the Richmond River fish kills recently . The green zones off the coast in Northern NSW are doing bugger all down there, but the truely valuable fish nursery areas were wiped out by poor water quality due to human modifications in the catchment.