Australia draws up plans for marine reserve the size of Germany
The Australian government intends to designate a marine reserve in the Southern Ocean the size of Germany, bolstering protections for millions of penguins and seals near Macquarie Island.
Tanya Plibersek, the environment minister, stated that the government intends to increase the extent of the Macquarie Island marine park, calling it a “globally significant contribution to marine conservation” that would place 388,000 square kilometers under strict protection.
Macquarie Island Marine Park
“Macquarie Island Marine Park is a remote wildlife wonderland – a critical habitat for millions of seabirds, seals, and penguins,” Plibersek said. “Expanding and increasing the protection of the waters surrounding Macquarie Island will allow us to better manage this important ecosystem for the future.”
