Forest & Bird media release for immediate use

Forest & Bird praises Australia’s marine leadership

Forest & Bird applauds Australia’s leading role in protecting its oceans after today announcing the world’s largest network of marine reserves, including areas in the Coral Sea, near the Great Barrier Reef.

“We are delighted that Australia has created this new marine protection,” Forest & Bird Conservation Advocate Karen Baird said.

“New Zealand has a similarly significant area around the Kermadec Islands north of our mainland, and it has an extraordinary diversity of sea life. Now is the perfect time for the New Zealand government to follow Australia’s lead and create our own extensive marine sanctuary in the near-pristine Kermadec region,” Karen Baird said.

The Rio + 20 conference is due to start in Brazil this month and countries will be able to review commitments to sustainable use of the world’s resources. Australians will be able to hold their heads up high for having made a major contribution to marine protection with this new reserve, while New Zealand continues to struggle to make good on our promises.

Forest & Bird has been working with the international Pew Environment Group and WWF to create a Kermadec ocean sanctuary that would protect 620,000 square kilometres.

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