10
November 2008 - Representatives from six
Asia Pacific nations, development partners
and experts have converged in Townsville
to discuss a regional plan to protect marine
biodiversity, fisheries and food security
in the Coral Triangle region.
Minister for the Environment,
Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett said
the Australian Government supported the
Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs,
Fisheries and Food Security.
“We recognise the international
significance of the Coral Triangle and that
threats to biodiversity and productively
must be addressed for the sake of the marine
environment, let alone the 240 million people
that depend on its health”.
“Coastal communities
rely on healthy marine systems for food
security and sustainable industries, we
cannot afford to continue business a usual”.
“Australia is eager
to support these six countries and we are
excited about the momentum building around
the Coral Triangle Initiative."
“Australia’s northern
tropical waters are adjacent to the Coral
Triangle. There is value in sharing our
expertise in marine conservation and protection,
marine bioregional planning, sustainable
fisheries management and species conservationwith
our neighbours, ”Mr Garrett said.
The Coral Triangle covers
parts of Indonesia, East Timor, Philippines,
Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon
Islands. It is recognised asan area of global
environmental significance, with the greatest
marine biological diversity on the planet.
Within the region can be found 75 per cent
of the world’s known coral species, one
third of the world’s coral reef area and
more than 3,000 species of fish. Representatives
from each of these nations are attending
the Townsville gathering from 10-14 November.
“I expect that this
week’s meetings will be a key step towards
providing greater protection for this outstanding
tropical marine environment."
The Coral Reef Protection
and Management Workshop is being held at
the Southbank Convention Centre (Rydges)
from 10-14 November 2008. Media representatives
are invited to attend a news conference
at 10am, Monday, 10 November, with Minister
Garrett, Research Director of the Australian
Institute of Marine Sciences Dr Peter Doherty
and Director of the Centre of Excellence
for Coral Reef Studies Prof. Terry Hughes.
