The Federal Government is to make an additional $100-million available to manage ocean habitats and coastal environments and, it says, contribute to the fight against climate change.
This funding will target ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems that involve seagrass and mangroves playing a key role in drawing carbon out of the atmosphere.
According to Prime Minister Scott Morrison it will also support Australian marine parks, expand the Indigenous Protected Areas into Sea Country, and protect marine life in general.
Morrison said the country’s oceans economy not only supported 400,000 jobs and was projected to contribute $100-billion each year to the economy, but would also play a role in driving down emissions.
Part of the lifeblood of our economy
“Our oceans are part of the lifeblood of our economy and this investment will secure those jobs and the important role our oceans can play in our efforts to cut emissions,” the Prime Minister stated.
“The climate and the planet’s oceans are inextricably linked. This investment is a major contribution to domestic and international efforts to build healthier oceans and combat climate change.
“Our oceans are part of our national identity and critical to the daily lives of millions of Australians. Around 85 percent of our population lives within 50 kilometres of the coast, so every Australian understands the vital role our oceans play.”
Part of the new funding is to be used to boost seagrass and mangroves that help reduce emissions and should also translate into cleaner beaches, more fish stocks, better protection for turtles and seabirds, and help coastal and Indigenous communities reliant on the ocean for their livelihoods.
Almost $40-million for marine parks
Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley, said almost $40-million would go towards marine park management – including $15-million towards projects to create better understanding of Australia’s marine parks and $5.4 million to support sustainability of the pristine waters around the country’s Indian Ocean Territories.
Almost $31-million will be invested in practical action to restore blue carbon ecosystems.
“This will improve the health of coastal environments in Australia and around the region, and export Australia’s internationally recognised expertise in ocean accounting, while boosting regional employment and enabling us to account for the value of these habitats as blue carbon repositories,” Ley said.
Another $19-million will go to four major on-ground projects aimed at restoring coastal ecosystems across the country. These include tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrasses.