"Australia To Make Area The Size Of Germany A Marine Park In Southern Ocean"

"Plan to triple size of Macquarie Island protection zone to shield ‘remote wildlife wonderland’".

"The Australian government plans to make an area about the size of Germany in the Southern Ocean a marine zone, strengthening protections around Macquarie Island for millions of penguins and seals.

The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, announced that the government wants to triple the size of the Macquarie Island marine park, describing it as a globally significant contribution to marine conservation that would put 388,000 sq km under high protection.

“Macquarie Island Marine Park is a remote wildlife wonderland – a critical habitat for millions of seabirds, seals and penguins,”Plibersek said. “Expanding and increasing the protection of the waters surrounding Macquarie Island will allow us to better manage this important ecosystem for the future.”"

Lisa Cox reports for the Guardian February 22, 2023.

Source: Guardian, 02/23/2023