Our Sea Sanctuaries campaign focuses on securing a network of areas around Australia where all marine life is protected. There are many titles for sea sanctuaries, including marine sanctuaries, marine national parks, no-take zones, marine reserves, green zones or highly protected areas. Whatever their name, these areas are the only places where marine creatures are left in peace to live, feed and breed. Sea Sanctuaries provide a haven for wildlife and contribute to the recovery of endangered species ensuring healthy, functioning marine food chains. Safe from fishing, mining and other exploitation, fish, shellfish, seaweeds and other marine species flourish, and degraded areas can be restored to their natural state. Many studies conducted both in Australia and overseas now report that marine sanctuaries support higher levels of biodiversity, abundance, and productivity of marine organisms than areas which are not protected in sanctuaries. Especially for fish and other plants and animals impacted by fishing. Also, by providing refuges where fish can grow to maturity and breed, marine sanctuaries can result in increases in the abundance and size of fishes in areas surrounding the sanctuary.
Find out about a sea sanctuaries campaign close to you:
* Great Barrier Reef
* Byron Bay Marine Park
* Ningaloo Marine Park
* Marine sanctuaries = better diving