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Macquarie Island is an exceptional wildlife haven for penguins, elephant seals and albatross, at the half-way mark between Australia and Antarctica. Humane Society International (HSI) wholeheartedly supports tripling the size of the marine park that surrounds it, as has been proposed by the Australian federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek.
“We must preserve places on this planet where humans give way to nature, and animals can live as freely as possible from our destructive impact and our competition for their prey and resources. Macquarie Island is one such place and it is more than deserving of a marine park the size of Germany,” said Nicola Beynon, HSI Head of Campaigns for Australia.
“HSI has always held reservations about fishing being allowed at Macquarie Island. The two operators allowed to fish there are extraordinarily privileged to be allowed to profit from a public resource at such an incredibly precious place on the planet. It is disappointing to see some in the fishing industry complaining about the expanded marine park when it is proposed the fishing be allowed to continue”.
HSI campaigns for the conservation of albatross and petrels and our seabird scientist has visited Macquarie Island a number of times to study the albatross that breed there.
“Albatross and petrels are experiencing a grave conservation crisis and need all the refuge and protection from human impact we can give them,” concluded Ms Beynon.
HSI looks forward to submitting to the public consultation for the proposal.
