Marine parks worthwhile?
Magic marine life: a diver studies a leatherjacket in strapweed in Corner Inlet.
THE public is invited to provide feedback on how well Victoria’s marine protected areas are performing and being managed.
The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) is seeking public comment on the Marine Investigation Discussion Paper until February 4, 2013.
The investigation area covers marine protected areas along the Victorian coast, a total of 24 marine national parks and marine sanctuaries and six other marine protected areas.
Among those are parks at Inverloch, Corner Inlet and Wilsons Promontory National Park.
VEAC chairperson Phil Honeywood said the investigation is was timely given Victoria’s marine national parks and marine sanctuaries last week celebrated their 10-year anniversary.
“This investigation provides a good opportunity for VEAC to report on whether the marine protected areas are achieving their purpose, how effective the management has been, and the threats and challenges they face,” he said.
“The results of our investigation will be invaluable for the future of Victoria’s diverse and highly prized marine environment. It will also be crucial in identifying ongoing management challenges to conserving the biodiversity and ecological processes of these important marine protected areas.”
VEAC will provide its final report on the marine investigation to the Environment Minister Ryan Smith by February 2014.
Submissions in response to the discussion paper can be provided online at www.veac.vic.gov.au, emailed to VEAC at [email protected] or sent to PO Box 500, East Melbourne, Vic 3002.
The detailed terms of reference can also be found on VEAC’s website.
Members of the community interested in being kept up-to-date on the investigation are encouraged to register their interest either online or by phoning VEAC on 1800 134 803.
The discussion paper is available on VEAC’s website at www.veac.vic.gov.au.
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