A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about WA marine park sanctuary zones falling short of international standards. The government supports a flexible, adaptive approach, balancing environmental protection with sustainable uses, rather than rigidly adhering to international benchmarks.

AnsweredQoN 885Legislative Council
Asked
16 October 2007
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES - SANCTUARY ZONES
I refer to the annual report of the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority for 2006-07, particularly page 2, which states - The area of sanctuary zones in Western Australia’s marine reserves are generally less and in some cases very much less than the internationally recognised standards and this remains a fundamental problem that needs resolution across the community. (1) Does the minister support the application of internationally recognised standards for areas of sanctuary zones in marine parks and reserves in Western Australia? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Is the minister concerned that our marine parks and reserves are falling well short of these internationally recognised standards for sanctuary areas? (4) If yes to (3), how will the minister ensure that our marine parks and reserves meet the internationally recognised standards? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.  On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1)-(2) The government supports a flexible approach to the level of representation in sanctuary zones within marine parks and reserves.  The government’s approach is focused on maximising the protection of marine environment for present and future generations while accommodating sustainable recreation, commercial and educational and scientific uses. (3)-(5) The minister remains committed to creating appropriate zoning arrangements within the marine parks and reserves.  The Western Australian legislative framework allows for adaptive management to be applied and for zoning arrangements to be modified over time to address the changing knowledge and circumstances.  Western Australia will continue to apply a horses-for-courses approach, which will generally establish sanctuary zones and other no-take areas within the system of marine parks and reserves that can accommodate a range of sustainable uses.
(2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Is the minister concerned that our marine parks and reserves are falling well short of these internationally recognised standards for sanctuary areas? (4) If yes to (3), how will the minister ensure that our marine parks and reserves meet the internationally recognised standards? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.  On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1)-(2) The government supports a flexible approach to the level of representation in sanctuary zones within marine parks and reserves.  The government’s approach is focused on maximising the protection of marine environment for present and future generations while accommodating sustainable recreation, commercial and educational and scientific uses. (3)-(5) The minister remains committed to creating appropriate zoning arrangements within the marine parks and reserves.  The Western Australian legislative framework allows for adaptive management to be applied and for zoning arrangements to be modified over time to address the changing knowledge and circumstances.  Western Australia will continue to apply a horses-for-courses approach, which will generally establish sanctuary zones and other no-take areas within the system of marine parks and reserves that can accommodate a range of sustainable uses.
(3) Is the minister concerned that our marine parks and reserves are falling well short of these internationally recognised standards for sanctuary areas? (4) If yes to (3), how will the minister ensure that our marine parks and reserves meet the internationally recognised standards? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.  On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1)-(2) The government supports a flexible approach to the level of representation in sanctuary zones within marine parks and reserves.  The government’s approach is focused on maximising the protection of marine environment for present and future generations while accommodating sustainable recreation, commercial and educational and scientific uses. (3)-(5) The minister remains committed to creating appropriate zoning arrangements within the marine parks and reserves.  The Western Australian legislative framework allows for adaptive management to be applied and for zoning arrangements to be modified over time to address the changing knowledge and circumstances.  Western Australia will continue to apply a horses-for-courses approach, which will generally establish sanctuary zones and other no-take areas within the system of marine parks and reserves that can accommodate a range of sustainable uses.
(4) If yes to (3), how will the minister ensure that our marine parks and reserves meet the internationally recognised standards? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.  On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1)-(2) The government supports a flexible approach to the level of representation in sanctuary zones within marine parks and reserves.  The government’s approach is focused on maximising the protection of marine environment for present and future generations while accommodating sustainable recreation, commercial and educational and scientific uses. (3)-(5) The minister remains committed to creating appropriate zoning arrangements within the marine parks and reserves.  The Western Australian legislative framework allows for adaptive management to be applied and for zoning arrangements to be modified over time to address the changing knowledge and circumstances.  Western Australia will continue to apply a horses-for-courses approach, which will generally establish sanctuary zones and other no-take areas within the system of marine parks and reserves that can accommodate a range of sustainable uses.
(5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.  On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1)-(2) The government supports a flexible approach to the level of representation in sanctuary zones within marine parks and reserves.  The government’s approach is focused on maximising the protection of marine environment for present and future generations while accommodating sustainable recreation, commercial and educational and scientific uses. (3)-(5) The minister remains committed to creating appropriate zoning arrangements within the marine parks and reserves.  The Western Australian legislative framework allows for adaptive management to be applied and for zoning arrangements to be modified over time to address the changing knowledge and circumstances.  Western Australia will continue to apply a horses-for-courses approach, which will generally establish sanctuary zones and other no-take areas within the system of marine parks and reserves that can accommodate a range of sustainable uses.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.  On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1)-(2) The government supports a flexible approach to the level of representation in sanctuary zones within marine parks and reserves.  The government’s approach is focused on maximising the protection of marine environment for present and future generations while accommodating sustainable recreation, commercial and educational and scientific uses. (3)-(5) The minister remains committed to creating appropriate zoning arrangements within the marine parks and reserves.  The Western Australian legislative framework allows for adaptive management to be applied and for zoning arrangements to be modified over time to address the changing knowledge and circumstances.  Western Australia will continue to apply a horses-for-courses approach, which will generally establish sanctuary zones and other no-take areas within the system of marine parks and reserves that can accommodate a range of sustainable uses.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.  On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, I provide the following answer - (1)-(2) The government supports a flexible approach to the level of representation in sanctuary zones within marine parks and reserves.  The government’s approach is focused on maximising the protection of marine environment for present and future generations while accommodating sustainable recreation, commercial and educational and scientific uses. (3)-(5) The minister remains committed to creating appropriate zoning arrangements within the marine parks and reserves.  The Western Australian legislative framework allows for adaptive management to be applied and for zoning arrangements to be modified over time to address the changing knowledge and circumstances.  Western Australia will continue to apply a horses-for-courses approach, which will generally establish sanctuary zones and other no-take areas within the system of marine parks and reserves that can accommodate a range of sustainable uses.
(1)-(2) The government supports a flexible approach to the level of representation in sanctuary zones within marine parks and reserves.  The government’s approach is focused on maximising the protection of marine environment for present and future generations while accommodating sustainable recreation, commercial and educational and scientific uses. (3)-(5) The minister remains committed to creating appropriate zoning arrangements within the marine parks and reserves.  The Western Australian legislative framework allows for adaptive management to be applied and for zoning arrangements to be modified over time to address the changing knowledge and circumstances.  Western Australia will continue to apply a horses-for-courses approach, which will generally establish sanctuary zones and other no-take areas within the system of marine parks and reserves that can accommodate a range of sustainable uses.
(3)-(5) The minister remains committed to creating appropriate zoning arrangements within the marine parks and reserves.  The Western Australian legislative framework allows for adaptive management to be applied and for zoning arrangements to be modified over time to address the changing knowledge and circumstances.  Western Australia will continue to apply a horses-for-courses approach, which will generally establish sanctuary zones and other no-take areas within the system of marine parks and reserves that can accommodate a range of sustainable uses.

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