News

Nowhere Else on Earth: Tasmania's Marine Natural Values

Rebecca Hubbard (2011-11-09 15:27:43)

Environment Tasmania yesterday launched a new report titled 'Nowhere Else on Earth: Tasmania's Marine Natural Values'. This report has for the first time, collated the science of Tasmania's marine life on a state-wide level, and found that Tasmania has extraordinary natural values of global conservation significance.

The 'Nowhere Else on Earth' report reveals that around ninety per cent of Tasmania's marine life is limited to our region, yet only one per cent is protected. To ensure that our grandchildren can experience these magnificent natural wonders, and that future business can be built on these unique qualities, the Government must establish a state-wide network of marine national parks as a matter of priority.

You can download the full report or the report brochure including the featured high conservation value sites at http://oceanplanet.org.au/wordpress/nowhere-else-on-earth-tasmanias-marine-natural-values/.

Our new underwater footage of Red Velvetfish in kelp forest, Weedy Seadragon in an underwater cave, and other unique marine life found only in Tasmania can be viewed here http://vimeo.com/31831348

What does the Report tell us?

The report showcases the remarkable and diverse marine life in our waters and examines what makes Tasmania, including the mainland coast, offshore islands and spectacular subantarctic Macquarie Island, ecologically unique.

Environment Tasmania commissioned Aquenal Pty Ltd to compile the report and the area examined extends from the high tide mark to the 3 nautical mile outer limit of Tasmania's coastal waters, and also includes animals (e.g. seals and seabirds) that frequently occur outside this area but rely completely on the marine environment for food.

Our island home

Tasmania has a spectacular coastline and diverse marine environments which form an integral part of the lifestyle of many Tasmanians. Our coastal waters have natural values that are of global conservation significance on the basis of high biodiversity, unusually large numbers of unique species found nowhere else, and rare ecosystems within pristine underwater wilderness areas that rival World Heritage-listed lands.

Yet the hidden nature of marine environments means that their outstanding values are rarely appreciated or understood, as reflected by the current protection of just 1% of waters around Tasmania as compared to 40% of land environments.

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