Threatened Species Day - Coral Sea Perspective
Contributed by Xanthe Rivett
Protecting Our Threatened Marine
Species:
Australia’s marine environment is
more than twice the area of the
Australian continent and under the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea we have both the rights and the responsibilities to this
area. This Threatened Species Day we acknowledge and celebrate
some of the marine species that we have responsibility for. In
Australia’s Coral Sea 341 bird and animal species are included on the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Of these, 5 Red List species
are taken commercially within the Coral Sea: the Humphead or Maori
Wrasse (endangered), Bigeye Tuna (vulnerable) and Yellowfin Tuna,
Albacore Tuna and Striped Marlin (near threatened).
Threatened Tuna and Billfishes:
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has
announced
that, for the first time, all species of scombrids (tunas, bonitos,
mackerels and Spanish mackerels) and billfishes (swordfish and marlins)
have been assessed for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The results show that the situation is particularly serious for
tunas. Five of the eight species of tuna are in the threatened or
Near Threatened IUCN Red List Categories. The
IUCN also reported
that most of the long-lived, economically valuable, species are
considered threatened. They mature later than short-lived species
and their reproductive turnover is longer, and as such recovery from
population declines take more time.
Taking Positive Steps Forward:
Right now the federal government is considering the future of
the
Coral
Sea within Australian waters. The federal government has recognised the
value of the Coral Sea by declaring a Conservation Zone over the entire
area, but this does no change existing uses, and it’s a temporary
measure. We need the government to go further and create the world’s
largest permanent marine park. By protecting the Coral Sea we can
make this area a safe haven for the 341 IUCN red-listed species which
live there.
Showing the Way:
Prominent Australians have added their support to the
creation of a
Coral Sea Marine Park. Protect our Coral Sea Ambassadors; John
Williamson, Jesse Martin, Pat Rafter, Tim Winton, Kristy Hinze, Akira
Isogawa and Isabel Lucas have all added their voice in a new video
being released to coincide with Threatened Species Day, urging
Australians to help protect our Coral Sea. “Under the ocean there are
hundreds of threatened species, so I am 100% behind a huge marine park
in the Coral Sea." said musician John Williamson. Tim
Winton believes, “The Coral Sea is one of the world's last great
refuges for marine species and right now we have a historic opportunity
to turn it into one of the world's greatest marine parks, but we need
your help. Please, sign up, and help us protect the Coral Sea.”
Watch the Threatened Species Day video and read more on how you can
help protect our Coral Sea at www.protectourcoralsea.org.au.
Image Credits:
- Yellowfin Tuna by C&M Fallows
- Striped Marlin by Doug Perrine - Seapics
- Maori Humphead Wrasse by Tyrone Canning