THE Federal Government of Australia plans to triple the size of the remote Macquarie Island Marine Park to protect more land and sea creatures.
Australian Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the government plans to cover additional 385,000 square kilometers of Australia’s oceans under high protection—an area larger than Germany.
The plan will extend its land size from 162,000 square kilometers to 475,465 square kilometers and will help in protecting millions of vulnerable seabirds and animals.
Around 93% of the park will be a fully protected marine sanctuary and will be completely closed to fishing, mining, and other extractive activities.
The world heritage site possesses an outstanding geological and natural significance wherein it serves as a breeding ground for millions of vulnerable seabirds and endangered wildlife.
The decision is a huge win for world ocean protection and reflects Australia’s commitment to better protect its environment as well as climate change policies.
The move was announced alongside the government’s plan to invest $2.9 billion in protecting the Great Barrier Reef—the world’s largest coral reef system.
