[Greens-Media] Minister fails to protect sharks in second Heritage list failure in a week.

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

16.12.04

Minister fails to protect sharks in second Heritage list failure in a
week.


Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today called on the Minister for the
Environment Ian Campbell to explain what he intends to do to protect the
endangered Grey Nurse Shark now that the National Heritage Listing
process has failed to protect the sharks' breeding grounds.

"This is the second time this week that the Minister has announced the
failure of the emergency heritage listing process to protect well known
sites of environmental significance," Senator Nettle said.

Earlier this week the Minister announced the failure of the emergency
National Heritage Listing process to protect the former ADI site in St
Mary's, Sydney.

"The Minister's own department recognises the Grey Nurse shark as
'critically endangered' The Minister must now explain what he will do to
protect them in light of the failure of the heritage listing process.

"The Commonwealth has previously indicated that they would protect the
cod grounds in Commonwealth waters which are critical habitat for the
shark but have done nothing for two years.

"Today's announcement makes matters worse for a Grey Nurse Shark
population that is already suffering from the reintroduction of beach
shark nets that has killed two Grey Nurse sharks in the last month.

"The Greens are concerned that the interpretation of the National
Heritage Listing criteria that the Minister is taking appears very
narrow and is clearly failing the interests of the broader Australian
community."

Contact Jon Edwards - 0428 213 146