Sanctuaries protect crucial feeding and breeding areas to ensure we have

Sanctuaries protect crucial feeding and breeding areas to ensure we have fish for the future Photo: Mark Spencer THE SCIENCE BEHIND SANCTUARIES The establishment of the national network of marine parks Once areas are fully protected, science research has and sanctuaries in 2012 was one of the most evidence- consistently shown that the number, size and diversity of based and consultative processes. [...] 14 years of scientific assessment and 606 days of A three-year study by the University of consultation across the country over three years Queensland in 2013 found that sanctuaries underpinned the decision. [...] The meeting adopted a new target: of 30%].” to protect 30% of all of the habitats in the sea by Scientific Principles for Design of Marine Protected Areas 2030 in strictly protected marine parks.’ in Australia: A Guidance Statement, (2009), produced by Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation, Photo Main: Jurgen Freund University of Queensland and endorsed by 60 of Australia’s University o. [...] The prime purpose of marine parks is the conservation of Marine reserves with fully-protected sanctuaries at their species, communities, habitats and ecosystems, as has core are already proven to be the most cost effective and been well established. [...] of climate change from fishing; However, they cannot match the performance of marine • Providing proven and cost-effective benefits for fisheries sanctuaries in the conservation of the wider marine seeking to secure the marketing advantages of third- environment.