Finance Supports Ocean Conservation

PMI Finance Broking Services (PMIFBS) has joined the Pacific Marinelife Institute as a Principal Partner. PMIFBS has access to a range of finance products to suit anyone looking for marine industry, boat and motor vehicle finance. PMIFBS will make a contribution from each finance solution to the Institute's marine research and community programs. Visit the PMIFBS Blog to find out more.

Photo Of The Week

Juvenile Common Loinfish photographed by Nam Baldwin during a dive at Wavebreak Island inside the Gold  Coast Broadwater at the southern edge of the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Bioregional Plan Input Needed

Anglers, boat owners, divers and the wider community all need to play a constructive role in the proposed conservation zones around Australia's coastline. Development of Bioregional Profiles for Australia's eastern, northern and western coastlines is part of the development of a Bioregional Plan for all Australian Commonwealth Waters. A large amount of misinformation has derailed constructive community consultation. The reality is only small areas will be restircited to fishing and other activities that may have a high impact. The aim of the process is to protect a portion of the key types of ecosystem. If you can imagine the ocean divided into the sea floor, reefs, water column between the reefs and near the surface, and the water column just below the surface; the aim is to protect key habitats and species populations within each of these key ecosystems. This means while activities that could impact on the seafloor in an area may be restricted, the remaining parts of the water column could be open to activities such as fishing and spearfishing. That is why the community must be involved in constructive consultation processes, instead of continuing political positioning that many groups have adopted without success. To be part of Pacific Marinelife Institute's consultation, register here.

New Moreton Bay Artifical Reefs

From the PMI News Desk

Queensland Government announced yesterday two new artificial reefs in Moreton Bay. One will be located west of Peel Island and the other east of Coochiemudlo Island. Both reefs are part of a Government commitment to establish six artifical reefs for recreational fishing after increases in the protection zones within Moreton Bay Marine Park. Using Reef Balls, the Peel Island site will cover an area of 50ha and Coochiemudlo 15ha. Reef Balls have proven very affective around the world for creating artificial reefs. Their ball design increases the surface area available for encrusting growth and the various holes creates the prefect habitat for many fish species.