Ningaloo World Heritage welcomed, but boundaries must be scientific
02 Aug 2007
WWF welcomes today's announcement by the Federal Labor Party to fast-track the nomination of Ningaloo Reef by February 2008, but calls for bipartisan support for the nomination boundaries to be based on scientific advice.
Paul Gamblin, Senior Policy Advisor (previously spokesperson for the 'Save Ningaloo Campaign') said: "WWF and other conservation groups have been pushing for Ningaloo to be nominated for World Heritage listing for years and we call for bipartisan support on this important issue."
"However, nominations must pass strict international scientific standards and that means the boundaries must be ecologically meaningful or the nomination will be rejected."
"Recent proposals are a good start but fall short of the 'optimal boundary' outlined by the Western Australian government's own Consultative Committee in 2004. This committee recommended that Exmouth Gulf, the Muiron Islands and greater areas of the land catchment also be included."
Ningaloo has been described as a 'jewel in the crown' of Australia's coral reef systems but it is more like a 'jewel in a necklace' that extends from the Kimberley, through the Pilbara and south to Ningaloo and the Abrolhos. These coral reefs and magnificent atolls, like Scott Reef off the Kimberley, are connected biologically in complex ways and need better protection through networks of marine protected areas.
Mr Gamblin continued: "While Ningaloo deservedly now receives a lot of attention, we are looking for further commitments to better protect the whole system of extraordinary coral reefs so they can survive climate change, industrial impacts and overfishing."
Find out more
Paul Gamblin, Senior Policy Advisor, WWF-Australia
Phone: 08 9442 1207
Mobile: 0410 221 508
Rachael Hoy, Press Office, WWF-Australia
Phone: 02 8202 1242
Mobile: 0415 643 165
Email: rhoy@wwf.org.au
