Comments on: Massive new marine reserves, but are they phoney?

By: AR

AR — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:15:45 +0000

MarkDuffer - is there any topic on which you do NOT ooze rabble soothing bromides? Nukes, fossil fuels,probablky a big fan of GM, insecticides & Agent Orange too…?

By: JackAubrey

JackAubrey — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 07:40:05 +0000

I understood that this was meant to be a system representative of all major marine ecosystems (at least those that exist in Commonwealth waters). The lack of biodiversity data for these offshore areas is truly striking compared to areas like the Great Barrier Reef which has had hundred of millions of dollars of research and monitoring over the past thirty years. This system is clearly going to be inadequate on that comparison but it does appear to meet the representativeness criterion. With the current (improving and reasonably well managed) state of Australia’s offshore fisheries, I don’t really understand why the relatively low impact on commercial or recreational fisheries should be used as a measure of biodiversity conservation effectiveness. Perhaps some of the funding that goes to the reef (which we are told is doomed anyway) should be redirected to these offshore areas.

By: Mark Duffett

Mark Duffett — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 04:43:56 +0000

“scientists can only speculate on (the Montara oil spill) effects on species”

Er, no. They can actually go and gather relevant data, analyse it, and draw conclusions as to whether there have been any. That’s generally how science works. It seems that Pressey could equally have written ‘There is no evidence of any effects on species’.

By: 81dvl

81dvl — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 02:32:20 +0000

The timing of this relatively meaningless declaration of marine reserves, was blatantly to offset the shit-storm that was developing re new mining ports inside of the reef in Qld.

Allowing the de-classification of the reef (a ‘wonder’ of the world) is the proof of the sincerity.

This is govt. sanctioned three-card-trick is wilfully, ecologically culpable and the “Marine Reserve” initiatives move is insultingly patronising.

Surely everyone saw this coming!?

By: Bo Gainsbourg

Bo Gainsbourg — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 03:38:53 +0000

Interesting analysis, so what’s the strategy for fixing it Prof? Just waiting till later or taking more time is no guarantee the political situation will be any more favourable, and its not more time that’s needed, as you point out we have the information now, its political will. What’s your answer?