Scientists warn Tasmanian marine species inhabiting the Great Southern Reef are declining more rapidly and are more threatened with extinction than tropical species, yet almost nothing has been done by any level of government to research, manage or mitigate this exponential risk.
In the balance of power after the next federal election, the Greens will fight for $210 million over five years to restore and protect the Great Southern Reef, to help ensure Tasmanians can benefit from this highly-productive yet drastically underestimated ecosystem for generations to come.
As stated by Greens senator for Lutruwita/Tasmania, Nick McKim:
"We need urgent action to save the magnificent Great Southern Reef, and the Greens have a plan to protect and restore this critical marine ecosystem.
"Australians are very familiar with the Great Barrier Reef and the challenges it faces in a time of climate emergency. Yet a lack of awareness of the Great Southern Reef has contributed to a lack of support for it which is at odds with its profound ecological, social and economic importance - especially to Tasmanians.
"Tasmania's coastlines are the last bastion of hope for a host of temperate marine species that cannot migrate further south in the deep Southern Ocean. Species found here are found nowhere else in the world, yet many people remain oblivious to the uniqueness of our reefs, and the extreme pressures they face.
"While the Great Barrier Reef understandably gets billions in federal funding for reef adaptation measures to combat climate change, remove invasive crown-of-thorns starfish, and clean up water pollution, Australia's premier temperate reef gets next to nothing to deal with equally serious challenges.
"The Greens are the only party with a plan for the Great Southern Reef, and will use our influence in the balance of power after the next federal election to protect and restore this critical ecosystem, for the benefit of all Tasmanians."
As stated by Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
"Kelp forests are a defining feature of the Great Southern Reef. They underpin its biodiversity and industries that depend on it, but these marine forests are also under enormous threat from the invasive long-spined sea urchin that is range-shifting down Australia's east coast with climate change, destroying critical habitat in its wake.
"It's predicted that half of all Tassie's east coast reefs will be lost by the mid-2030s unless action is taken, with entire swathes of our once vibrant ocean floors made totally barren of biodiversity that is critical to marine wildlife and fisheries.
"If our terrestrial forests were being decimated at the same rate as our kelp forests there would be uproar. But our kelp forests remain out of sight and out of mind for so many, and virtually nothing has been done by governments to regenerate this habitat - it's time to change that.
"A Senate inquiry into marine invasive species recommended establishing and funding a long-spined sea urchin task force, and the Greens are eager to work with all sides of politics in the next parliament to make this a reality."
Photos of Senator Peter Whish-Wilson diving the Great Southern Reef can be found here.
The Greens will:
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Fund $100 million over three years to establish a Great Southern Reef Agency to enable and encourage cooperation across states, regions, communities and Country in successfully managing and safeguarding the Great Southern Reef. The Agency will operate with a similar structure to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, but with less regulatory oversight; The Agency will include an Oversight Board to bring together work from advisory committees and provide advice to the Minister. There will be three advisory committees - Community, Indigenous and Science - and funding will be provided to establish Local Marine Great Southern Reef Advisory Committees and Local Indigenous Great Southern Reef Advisory Committees;
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Provide $35 million over five years to establish a Great Southern Reef Centre of Excellence to promote and coordinate significant collaboration between universities, publicly funded research organisations, other research bodies, governments, and businesses, to support outstanding research;
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Provide $500k over three years to fund an annual Great Southern Reef Conference, drawing together all stakeholders, and giving opportunity for individual stakeholder attendance to discuss broader issues, and share information and learning;
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Fund $20 million to prioritise a Recovery Plan for giant kelp;
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Campaign for and support golden kelp being listed as a threatened ecological community with a full recovery plan.
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Fund a national investment of $55 million into Centrostephanus control, guided by a five-year action plan. This funding includes establishing a separate National Centrostephanus Advisory Group including representatives from First Nations, industry, researchers, commercial dive, processing and the recreational dive sector, to provide guidance, co-design, coordination and delivery.
