Conservationists buy fishing licence in Great Barrier Reef to create net-free safe haven for dugongs

Conservationists buy fishing licence in Great Barrier Reef to create net-free safe haven for dugongs

Source: theguardian

3/14/2022

Credit: REUTERS

Conservationists have bought the last commercial-fishing licence of its type in the northern Great Barrier Reef, creating a “net-free zone” larger than Tasmania to protect dugongs, dolphins and turtles.

WWF-Australia announced on Monday it had taken over and would retire Tony Riesenweber’s commercial “gill net” licence – which held the “last sizeable quota” for the northern reef – effectively creating a 100,000 sq km refuge stretching from Cape Flattery through to the Torres Strait.

Richard Leck, the head of oceans for WWF-Australia, said it was now time for the state and federal governments to make commercial gill netting on the northern Great Barrier Reef “forever prohibited”.

“By purchasing gill net licences WWF has done the heavy lifting,” he said.

“Creating one of the largest safe havens for dugongs in the world is a globally significant initiative.