Help protect WA’s spectacular south coast
Famous for its seadragons and blue gropers, the turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and rugged reefs of WA’s south coast are home to a wealth of marine life – much of which is found nowhere else on earth.
But did you know WA’s south coast contains dozens of important nurseries for endangered and rare marine mammals?
Yet these nurseries currently have zero sanctuary protection.
Right now we have an important opportunity to support world-class sanctuary protection along WA’s south coast – and we need your help.
By showing your support to the Premier, you can help ensure vulnerable marine mammals like whales and sea lions and our unique marine life are safeguarded for the future, while supporting great fishing, tourism and recreation opportunities.
Please add your name to let the Premier know how important south coast marine protection is to you.
Image: Australian Sea Lion | Gary Bell
Letter text
Dear Premier McGowan (CC Environment Minister Whitby and Fisheries Minister Punch),
I strongly support the WA Government’s commitment to create a south coast marine park and ask you to ensure the park contains world-class levels of sanctuary protection.
This marine park is an incredible opportunity to protect the south coast’s spectacular marine life, while supporting culture, great fishing, and our treasured coastal lifestyle into the future.
From endangered Australian sea lions and southern right whales to seadragons and blue gropers, the south coast’s turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and rugged reefs are home to a wealth of marine life – much of which is found nowhere else on earth.
Creating a well-designed marine park for the south coast with strong sanctuary protection can provide an insurance policy for the health of our unique marine life into the future, alongside a mix of other zones to recognise cultural values, fishing, and other activities. The design of the marine park should acknowledge the aspirations of the Traditional Owners along the south coast.
A world-class marine park has a strong network of sanctuaries that adhere to scientifically backed design principles to meet conservation outcomes (including ‘Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative’ principles, scale and quality, connectivity and resilience principles, and a focus on unique and threatened species) while maximising socio-economic benefits.
It has been almost thirty years since the first recommendations for marine protection along the south coast, and there is still zero percent protection in state waters.
I urge you to ensure world-class sanctuary protection within the south coast marine park and create a legacy for an area as important as Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef.
Sincerely,
WA’s south coast contains dozens of important nurseries for endangered and rare marine mammals, yet these nurseries currently have zero sanctuary protection.
Right now we have an important opportunity to support world-class sanctuary protection along WA’s south coast – and we need your help.