Australian marine park to almost triple in size to an area larger than Germany
Becht Foundation welcomes the Australian Government’s decision to create a huge marine protected area in the Southern Ocean surrounding Macquarie Island.
This sub-Antarctic Island, halfway between Australia and Antarctica, is home to up to 100,000 seals and roughly 4 million penguins, including the royal penguin which is only found on Macquarie and its two surrounding islands. In 1997 the island was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage register.
The Macquarie Island Marine Park is set to nearly triple in size, to a total area of 475,465 square kilometres (184,000 square miles), with 93% of the park – an area the size of Germany – designated as a fully protected marine sanctuary.
Australia’s decision will give world-leading protection to one of the most unique environments on the planet. We look forward to the government developing and enforcing a management plan that provides effective protections to the island.
Becht Foundation supports The Pew Charitable Trusts, who have been instrumental in campaigning to enhance protection of the seas around Macquarie Island.
