WWF receives first grant under innovative Australian international environmental aid scheme
29 Jun 2004
WWF, the global conservation organisation, is the recipient of one of the first grants made by the Australian Government under the new Regional Natural Heritage Program.
The Regional Natural Heritage Program aims to achieve practical results for the conservation of critical environment sites in the Asia Pacific region. WWF congratulates the Australian government in launching this innovative Australian international environmental aid program which was introduced at the initiative of Senator Meg Lees.
WWF's successful project application is to protect marine biodiversity in the Sulu Sulawesi Seas Marine Ecoregion which lies between Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia. The Sulu Sulawesi Seas are home to an incredible diversity of marine life - from manta rays, fin whales, whale sharks to the only living representative of a fish group from the dinosaur era, the coelacanth.
But this diversity is severely threatened by population growth and human activities including destructive fishing (using dynamite and cyanide), overfishing, climate change and pollution from coastal development.
Governments, non-government organisations, academic institutions, local communities and the corporate sector have come together under the leadership of WWF to protect coral reefs, fish, marine mammals, marine turtles and other species and ecosystems.
At each of three pilot project sites in Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines, WWF will work with its partner organisations and the three governments to:
- draft protective legislation and the gazettal of marine national parks and other protected areas, working with local governments
- raise awareness among local communities, fishers and the dive tourism industry to expand no-take areas
- strengthen monitoring and baseline data collection programs
The expected results of the project are:
- an increase in coral reef and other key tropical marine habitat protection
- an increase in protection for areas that serve as significant refuges for fish and production of coral larvae
- increased protection of spawning grounds for highly valued and heavily fished species
Australia has emerged as a clear global leader in marine biodiversity conservation, especially due to the establishment the world's largest network of no-take zones throughout the Great Barrier Reef - in which WWF played a lead advocacy role.
For further information:
Andy Ridley, Senior Manager Communications (02 8202 1237)
Mark Otter, Manager International Programs (07 3357 7562)
