The Wilderness Society

The Dampier Archipelago is found just 400 km north of Ningaloo Reef and is more bio-diverse than Ningaloo. Yet in comparison, it is practically unknown and unprotected as a marine paradise. It is a network of mangroves, islands and coral reefs that provide home to hundreds of species of coral, fish, algae, molluscs and sponges. It is also an important area for a number of species of turtles, whales, dolphins, dugongs and seabirds.

Despite this incredible variety and ecological importance, protection for Dampier is woefully inadequate. Whilst the Gallop Government boasted about the increase in protection for Ningaloo Reef from 10 to 34%, just two weeks later they quietly allowed the proposed level of protection for Dampier to fall from 10% to a devastating 7%. This level of protection could be tantamount to a death sentence for the reef system.

The world's top coral reef scientists support 30-50% protection for all tropical coral reefs (Townsville 2002). If we are to ensure the future survival of Dampier's spectacular coral reefs, we must secure larger areas of protection where the marine wildlife can exist naturally and unharmed.

The reefs have recently suffered from a massive coral bleaching event in March 2005. Around seventy five per cent of Dampier's reefs within 10 m of the surface were bleached. Fortunately the temperature decreased in time for the coral to survive, but next time it may not be so lucky. It seems inevitable that unless protection is increased significantly, it is just a matter of time before we lose our most remarkable marine ecosystem.

Sanctuary zones will not stop global warming but they will aid reef recovery after a bleaching event. These areas act as refuges for the reef's diverse plants and animals which can re-colonise other areas after a coral die-off. These are the places where fish grow large, have more babies and repopulate the reef, giving natural food chains a chance to restore a natural balance.

We need to give these magnificent coral reefs a fighting chance by protecting 50% of the area so that future generations will have a chance to experience our incredible marine life, just as we have.

Please visit the home page of The Wilderness Society and send an e-mail to the Premier and Environment Minister of Western Australia. Thank you.

Rebecca Hubbard
Community Campaign Coordinator
The Wilderness Society WA
November 2005

AURANET

Home-page of the Australian Rock Art Research Association, Inc. (AURA)

Dampier rock art

Back to the campaign page to save the Dampier rock art

Rebecca Hubbard rebecca.hubbard@wilderness.org.au









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