Note:
This project was finalised in March 2006 and is updated with new reports as they become available.
Background
to Study
Australia's governments are working together to set
up a national system of protected areas throughout Australia's entire
marine zone. This National Representative System of Marine Protected
Areas aims to establish and manage a comprehensive, adequate and representative
system of marine protected areas to contribute to the long-term ecological
viability of marine and estuarine systems, to maintain ecological
processes and systems, and to protect Australia's biological diversity
at all levels.
The Australian Government Department of the Environment
and Heritage is developing the National Representative System of Marine
Protected Areas as part of the Regional Marine Planning Process being
led by the National Oceans Office. The National Oceans Office has
released a Regional Marine Plan for the South-east of Australia and
is currently developing Regional Marine Plans for the North and South-west
of Australia.
The Australian Government Department of the Environment
and Heritage is looking at potentially important areas outside of
the Regional Marine Planning Process. The Norfolk Island Seamounts
has been identified as a potentially important area and it was decided
to undertake the Norfolk Seamount Conservation Assessment immediately.
The Government has identified the Norfolk Seamounts
Area as: "Large seamounts, including one 50km long, rising from
3000m to 700m below sea level. Expected to support a high diversity
of endemic fauna".
Further information:
Previous conservation values assessments completed
by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research for the Australian Government Department
of the Environment and Heritage:
Butler A., F. Althaus, D. Furlani, K. Ridgway. (2002a) Assessment
of the conservation values of the Bonney upwelling area - A component
of the Commonwealth Marine Conservation Assessment Program 2002-2004.
Report to Environment Australia.
Butler A., F. Althaus, D. Furlani, K. Ridgway. (2002b) Assessment
of the conservation values of the Bass Strait sponge beds - A component
of the Commonwealth Marine Conservation Assessment Program 2002-2004.
Report to Environment Australia.
Other relevant studies/websites:
Updated:
18/04/11
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