Marine reserve proposed for Coral Sea
28th November 2011
Australia plans to create the world's largest marine reserve in the Coral Sea, home to the Great Barrier Reef, in an attempt to protect its biodiversity
A plan is in motion to create a marine reserve off the coast of Queensland, Australia in the Coral sea. The Australian government says preservation of the seas biodiversity is at the heart of the initiative.
The protected zone would be the largest in the world, and cover an area of 989,842 sq km; it would impose new fishing limits, as well as ban exploration for oil and gas.However, the plan must go through a 90-day consultation before it is approved.
The Coral Sea is probably best known for being the location of the Great Barrier Reef, but it has plenty more to offer. Its pristine waters are also home to a variety of marine wildlife, such as shark and tuna, and has stunning underwater geological features, like deep underwater canyons.
The marine reserve would stretch from the Great Barrier Reef to Papua New Guinea in the North, and Solomon Islands in the east. It would start 60 km from Queensland's coast, and extend 1,100 km into the sea
Although activists support the introduction of a marine reserve in the area, they are concerned that some key reefs and spawning grounds are not included in the protected zone.
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