western australia Opinions on the new proposed marine parks?

[Ed.]

Looks like the Australian Government is proposing to make 2 new massive marine parks around the Cocos Keeling and Christmas Islands, total area about 740000 sqkm, which is twice the size of the Great Barrier reef. Haven't found any details about what type of restrictions they plan to put on them so don't know how I feel about it yet.

I would have thought that as they are so far away from anywhere, that there would be no need to cover that much area! Anybody here know more about it?

[Angry51]

Yeah Ed, I think it's to curb the foreign fishing vessels,

they have been over there lately.

[Ed.]

I don't have a problem with that, but it would be nice to have all the details released as well as this is the first I have heard about it.

[Old Scaley]

@Ed. There is more info here

https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/iot/process/

A quick look over the info tells us that the consultation phase is over. Looks like the local communities will still have access for their usual activities so @Angry51 is probably on the money about trying to protect the area from foreign fishing boats. 

[Ed.]

Thanks, I had a quick read and it seems that it is a good thing, just surprised that it hadn't had that much publicity till now.

[Angry51]

I saw a program on TV, don't know what channel, about it

some weeks ago. I didn't worry much about it as they explained

roughly why it was proposed. Also said it wouldn't overly

affect locals. No worries.

[Drop Bear]

I hope they have the word restoration somewhere in there... Unlike the Moreton Bay one.