Publication Name
Sydney Morning Herald
Author(s)
David Wroe
Environment Minister Tony Burke is under growing pressure to expand the marine park planned for northern Australia's Coral Sea, with MPs from his own side calling for stronger protection of the reefs and tropical waters in the wake of a massive public campaign.
The waters, known for their rich coral and marine life, are already set to become part of the world's largest marine protected area, covering 989,842 square kilometres, under a draft plan Mr Burke released in November.
But the draft plan falls short of what conservationists and some Labor MPs want, with about half the protected area still allowing both recreational and commercial fishing.
The public consultation on the draft plan has seen a flood of responses, with nearly 500,000 submissions from around the world, more than 99 per cent of which call for greater protection.
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Read the full article, Calls to Expand Marine Protection in Coral Sea, on the Sydney Morning Herald website.
