Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No:  54 
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	UNGA Fisheries Resolution 
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewart asked:
The Australian Government supported the 2004 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Fisheries Resolution (No 59/25) calling on States to take urgent action to act on a case by case basis to prevent destructive fishing practices in vulnerable areas that have been identified by robust scientific information.
The 2005 resolution reiterated this resolution and urges for accelerated progress. A UN review is currently underway of the actions taken by parties to implement this resolution – submissions were due on 1 May.
(a)  What has been Australia’s response?
(b)  What efforts is Australia taking to do the ‘robust scientific information’. 

Answers:
(a)	The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has the lead within the Australian Government to prepare the submission on the implementation of UNGA fisheries resolution paragraphs 66 - 69 relating to destructive fishing practices. Australia has sought and obtained approval to submit a late submission to the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS). The Department of the Environment and Heritage has provided input to the submission.
(b)	 Australia has already moved to protect seamounts and other vulnerable features within our exclusive economic zone to the south-east of Tasmania through the establishment of the South-east Marine Protected Areas (MPA) network.  
The aim of this network is to contribute to protect Australia’s biological diversity at all levels in a way that minimises impact on industry wherever possible.   While some methods of fishing will be permitted in multiple use zones, bottom trawling will not be permitted in the network.  
This network was designed using stakeholder input and the best available scientific information to identify priority areas for conservation.  Key scientific organisations such as CSIRO Marine Research, Geoscience Australia, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Bureau of Rural Sciences have been involved at all stages of the MPA development process.  The Australian Government established a Scientific Peer Review Panel to evaluate the proposed network.  A Scientific Reference Panel was also used to provide ongoing scientific advice on biodiversity issues related to MPA design.

Australia will continue to expand its MPA network through the development of bioregional marine plans to meet its international commitment to establish a representative network of MPAs by 2012.  This process will continue to be underpinned by the best available scientific advice and information.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No:  56
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional Marine Planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
Is it now proposed that marine parks will only be established as part of a regional marine planning process?

Answer:
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) may be established in the Australian Government’s jurisdiction (Commonwealth waters) through processes consistent with the relevant provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).

The Government is committed to delivering a network of representative Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Commonwealth waters by 2012.  This network will complement the representative MPAs being developed by the states and the Northern Territory which are also parties to the national commitment to develop a National Representative Network of MPAs (the NRSMPA).  The delivery of the Australian Government component of the national network will be primarily through the marine bioregional planning process.

The Australian Government may establish other MPAs if priority conservation needs are identified.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 57 
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Shark Research
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
(a)  How much funding has been allocated in the 2006-2007 financial year for shark research?
(b)  What programs are being funded from this allocation?
Answers:
(a)	$600,000 has been allocated to the Marine Species Recovery Program for the 2006-2007 financial year. This funding covers a range of threatened marine species such as sharks, seals, turtles and dugong. The exact proportion of funding that will be allocated to sharks has yet to be determined.

(b)	Funding is allocated on a priority basis to those projects that most directly contribute to the recovery of the species in question. No decision has been made as to what specific programs will be funded from the allocation.