Marine Parks

[Spiney]

Some more data from ABC AM program, the healthiest coral reefs in QLD,  ones protected from fishing and run off are the ones most likley to suffer bleaching by warmer water.

JOHN BRUNO: It, it's useful in the sense that we really need to identify the specific causes of coral decline and so this is the first link that temperature is driving these disease outbreaks it's gunna be a bit of a challenge now to managers, because the reefs where this is happening are the ones that we've done the best job mitigating all the other factors causing coral decline.

So, you know, we mitigate over-fishing and the nutrient and the sediment problems and we keep coral cover high, and now we're seeing these disease outbreaks occur on those very healthiest reefs.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: So these are the reefs that to many might look in really good shape?

JOHN BRUNO: Absolutely, yeah. They're the, really the healthiest reefs on the Great Barrier Reef where, where this is happening. It's really the, the one ones that're - it's really the combination of the two factors, the very healthiest reefs and the ones that get the warmest.

[Spiney]

Laurieton Cod Grounds to become marine reserve
All commercial and recreational fishing will be banned at a well-known fishing hotspot off the New South Wales mid-north coast.

The Cod Grounds off the coast of Laurieton will become a 300-hectare Commonwealth marine reserve from the end of this month.

The area is designated as prime habitat for the grey nurse shark.

The Federal Government will leave the job of enforcing the prohibitions to the State Government, but is in the process of buying out several commercial fishing operators who have traditionally used the Cod Grounds.

They will also consider compensating local fishing co-ops which will be affected by the buy-out.

[enzo]

Evening all,
Just saw a person at my work with the most interesting shirt.
It has an oval shaped logo on the back full size. The top of the logo has written EXTINCTION IS FOREVER
the bottom of the logo has MARINE PARK and below that has LORD HOWE ISLAND
In the middle of the logo is a fish skeleton (looks pretty mean too)
I asked the bloke wearing it and he said his sister goes there all the time and they sell them in the tourist shops.
I propose the same shirt with a logo of a greenie. I'm sure everyone could come up with some great slogans to add aroung the edge too.
Enzo