VEAC marine investigation
New stage of marine inquiry announcedThe Victorian Environmental Assessment Council has announced a new stage of public consultation for its marine investigation. The terms of reference have been finalised and public submissions are invited for consideration in the development of a discussion paper. The discussion paper sets the tone and direction for the investigation's final recommendations, so it's critical that everyone interested in securing the future of our incredibly unique marine national parks and sanctuaries actively engages in the process. The vast majority of Victorians support our current network of marine national parks and sanctuaries. |
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Polling consistently demonstrates this fact, with a recent community attitudes and behaviour survey commissioned by the Victorian Coastal Council showing that more than 90% of Victorians support the network.
There are some segments of the fishing community who strongly oppose marine national parks and better measures to protect the marine environment. Even in the face of significant national and international scientific evidence that marine national park networks contribute to protecting all marine life.
Marine inquiry terms of reference
The purpose of the marine investigation is very narrow - it only examines the performance and management of existing marine protected areas in meeting the purposes for which they were established. Any ongoing threats or challenges to the effective management of these existing marine protected areas are also being assessed.
For the purposes of this investigation, marine protected areas means the fully protected 13 marine national parks and 11 marine sanctuaries which constitute 5.3% of Victoria's marine waters.
Also included are six marine parks, marine reserves or marine and coastal parks that allow some forms of fishing and make up around another 7% of state waters.
The Victorian National Parks Association welcomed the Victorian Government's release of the proposed terms of reference for a marine inquiry, but continues to believe that the finalised terms are far too narrow and does not consider the threats and challenges to, and the ecosystem-based management of, the entire marine environment.
This is the only way of effectively managing ocean health.
However, there are other considerations VEAC needs to take into account in its investigation, including reports by the Victorian Auditor-General's Office, international and national policies and strategies, and ecosystem-based management approaches.
New challenges and threats to the marine environment
Victoria's marine environment is one of the most diverse in the world. It is home to more than 12,000 species - more than 90% unique to our southern waters - and is of global significance.
However, our marine environment is under increasing threat.
The VNPA's Marine Nature Conservation Review pin-pointed clear gaps in our current marine protected areas network and highlighted conservation values, critical habitats and threats.
These threats can be cumulative and include: ocean acidification, invasive species and pathogens, pollution and unsustainable fishing.
Our bays are also under pressure from port development with dredging and dredge spoil causing ongoing harm.
There is currently minimal environmental management of nearly 90% of state marine waters, with most of the legislation commodoty focused and dealing with extractive activities such as fisheries and oil and gas exploration.
The only thorough way of assessing ocean health is through a comprehensive investigation of Victoria's entire marine environment, including looking at critical habitats, values and threats.
As with land-based national parks, the creation and management of marine national parks is a core conservation tool for keeping ecosystems healthy, but marine national parks should not be treated as a yardstick for the health of our entire marine environment.
How will the VEAC inquiry work?
There will be various opportunities for community input, including:
- Comments on the Proposed Terms of Reference for the Inquiry, which closed on 19 August 2011.
- Written submissions for consideration in the development of the discussion paper, which is open until Monday 25 June, 2012.
- Comments on the draft proposals paper, which will open for public comment mid-2013.
The final report and recommendations are due to be submitted to the Victorian environment minister in February 2014.
Public comment is now open until Monday 25 June to help develop the discussion paper.
You can register your interest online through the VEAC website to receive regular updates.
Why is this VEAC investigation significant?
The VEAC model is recognised as being of world class for independence, community consultation, and science-based processes for natural resource management.
VEAC's predecessor, the Land Conservation Council, was established in 1971 by the Victorian Government. It was later renamed the Environment Conservation Council, and then VEAC, but its functions have remained broadly the same for 40 years.
For years VEAC has provided the Victorian Government with independent, strategic advice relating to the protection and ecologically sustainable management of our environment and natural resources.
The terms of reference for the marine inquiry can be found on the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council's website.
Write a submission and register your interest
Write a submission to VEAC for consideration in the development of the discussion paper.
The VNPA is currently working on its submission so stay tuned for a comprehensive outline of key points to consider. In the interim here are some key issues that can be included in your submission for VEAC to consider as part of its development of a discussion paper:
- Literature review of international and national scientific evidence relating to marine protected areas.
- Compilation of all polling and surveys that examines Victorians' perceptions of the current network of marine protected areas.
- Compilation of anecdotal, community and Parks Victoria scientific evidence about the biodiversity benefits of the current network of marine national parks and sanctuaries.
- Examination of the threats and challenges to our network of marine protected areas.
- Examination of the widespread recreational and educational values of our marine protected areas.
- The need for comprehensive marine planning for the entire marine environment.
- Register your interest in the investigation online at the VEAC website.
You can make your submission through the VEAC website.
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