AMCS: Moreton Bay Dredging Plan Highlights Need for Better Protection

Dredging of more than 13 million cubic metres of seabed is about to commence in the Moreton Bay Marine Park for the next stage of Brisbane’s second runway. This highlights the need for strong protection in the marine park, said the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) today.

AMCS Marine Campaigner Fiona Maxwell said: “This is one of the biggest sand-dredging exercises in Brisbane’s history. The dredging planned for Moreton Bay Marine Park only increases the vulnerability of the Bay and its incredible marine life, highlighting the need for strong protection.”

“This massive dredging program adds pressure to the Bay at a time when the Government is also considering winding back our marine park protection,” said Maxwell.

“We were alarmed at the Newman Government’s announcement that they are considering allowing fishing back into some of Moreton Bay’s fully protected marine national parks.

“Instead, the Queensland Government needs to limit the impacts of this dredging and ensure that those areas in the marine park that are fully protected remain that way so that our Bay is as healthy and resilient as possible,” said Maxwell.

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Press Release, May 7, 2014