Nearly 300 of the world’s leading marine scientists are urging the Federal Government to strengthen protection of Australia’s marine parks by expanding highly protected sanctuary zones and removing industrial extractive activities.

Uniting behind a scientific consensus statement, the 275-strong group includes many researchers who have shaped marine science over the past four decades, alongside the next generation of ocean scientists.

The statement, Securing a Resilient Future for Australia's Oceans, has been released as the Federal Government undertakes its once-in-a-decade review of Commonwealth marine parks.

It highlights that less than 10 per cent of Commonwealth waters surrounding mainland Australia are highly protected, well below what contemporary conservation science recommends to maintain healthy resilient oceans.

The scientists are calling on the Government to protect at least 30 per cent of every Australian marine bioregion within highly protected sanctuary zones, remove activities including bottom trawling, longlining and mining from marine parks, and strengthen investment in their management, monitoring and enforcement.

Professor Jessica Meeuwig AM, Wen Family Chair in Conservation at The University of Western Australia and co-author of the statement, said the review would shape the future of Australia’s oceans for generations.

“Australia has built a strong foundation for marine conservation, and this review is an opportunity to build on that success,” Professor Meeuwig said. “The science clearly shows we need stronger protection where biodiversity, fisheries and human pressures are greatest.

“Around one-quarter of Commonwealth waters are highly protected, but that falls to just 9.6 per cent around mainland Australia. Most sanctuary zones are in remote offshore and territorial waters, while many of our most productive marine ecosystems remain under-protected.

“Bottom trawling and mining remain permitted across roughly one-third of mainland Commonwealth marine parks, even as our oceans face mounting pressure from marine heatwaves, habitat degradation, pollution and expanding ocean use. If we are serious about resilient oceans, that needs to change.”

Associate Professor Carissa Klein, Director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science at the University of Queensland and statement co-author, said the review was an opportunity to align Australia’s marine parks with contemporary conservation science.

“Decades of scientific evidence show that highly protected sanctuary zones deliver substantially stronger biodiversity, fisheries, ecosystem and climate resilience outcomes than partially protected areas,” Associate Professor Klein said.

Co-author Dr Enric Sala, Explorer-in-Residence at National Geographic Society and founder of Pristine Seas said fully protected marine reserves were the most effective tool for restoring ocean health while also helping replenish nearby fisheries and buffering against global warming.

“By stepping up strict protections now, Australia can demonstrate the bold leadership the world needs to secure a thriving planet for generations to come,” Dr Sala said.

The scientists are calling on the Federal Government to implement five key actions:

• Protect at least 30 per cent, as a minimum, of each of Australia’s marine bioregions within highly protected no-take sanctuary zones (IUCN Ia or II), with priority given to mainland Australia
• Commit to and implement no future downgrading, downsizing, or de-gazettement of existing, highly protected marine park zones.
• Remove industrial extractive activities, including trawling, longlining, and mining, from all marine parks.
• Adequately resource marine park management, enforcement, monitoring, research, and community engagement to avoid the proliferation of ineffective “paper parks”.

• Invest in national communications and education initiatives that improve public understanding of marine park protection levels, ocean stewardship and Indigenous engagement.
  
  Preview image: Blue shark (Prionace glauca) at the Eastern Recherche Marine Park. Credit: Marine Futures Lab
  Image above: Cock-eyed squid (Histioteuthis miranda) at the Bremer Marine Park. Credit: Marine Futures Lab