NT Labor one step closer to protecting marine life at Limmen Bight

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), Environment Centre NT (ECNT) and The Wilderness Society (TWS) today congratulated the Northern Territory Government for formally declaring Limmen Bight Marine Park.

Environment Centre NT Acting Director Jess Abrahams said, 'This is an important step by NT Labor towards protecting turtles, dugongs and dolphins in the Gulf of Carpentaria.'

'Almost 30 years since the first Marine Park was declared, it is great to see the Henderson Government establish The Territory's second marine protected area.'

Acting Northern Marine Campaigner from The Australian Marine Conservation Society Prue Barnard said, 'Now the Marine Park is in place, it is important that zoning prescriptions are scientifically based. The science shows that marine life is best protected in marine reserves. Critical areas in the Limmen Bight Marine Park must be effectively safeguarded in 'sanctuary' zones under the park's management plan.'

'Effective zoning of the park will ensure a safe haven for the more than one hundred fish species (including threatened freshwater sawfish and four nationally listed species of pipefish), threatened sea turtles, rare snubfin dolphins and the internationally significant dugong population.'

The Wilderness Society's Northern Australia Campaigner Gavan McFadzean said, 'We are delighted that the park will be jointly managed with Traditional Owners who have a significant role to play in the protection and management of sea country.'

'Limmen Marine Park will help protect sea life in the Territory, but more marine parks are urgently needed, particularly as Northern Australia is becoming a hotspot for environmentally risky offshore oil and gas projects.'

For further information please contact:

Jess Abrahams, ECNT, 0448 887 303.

Prue Barnard, AMCS, 0422 396 077

Gavan McFadzean, TWS, 0414 754 023