Re: *Ramsar areas*

[Lawrie Conole <>]

Martin.O'm("dse.vic.gov.au","Brien");"> wrote:
> 'Parks
> Victoria (PV) manages a lot of the land (parks and conservation
> reserves) in Ramsar sites and on that land they would be responsible for
> enforcement.   If it is occurring on land in Ramsar sites not managed by
> PV
> then it would be a wildlife issue - Department of Sustainability &
> Environment (previously NRE).  However,  PV does manage recreational
> boating in Western Port.   Section 58 of the Wildlife Act says you can't
> disturb wildlife wilfully.   There is no facility to keep vessels away from
> significant wildlife habitat.   I've had advice from Coasts Section that
> the Marine Act can only deal with issues of human safety.'

Day to day management of Ramsar sites does of course rest with
the state authorities, as these areas often overlap conservation reserves
of various kinds, etc.  Ultimately though Ramsar sites are matters of Australia's
committments under an international treaty, and another layer of protection
is codified in the Commonwealth EPBC Act (that I mentioned yesterday in connection
with cassowaries and the Wet Tropics).  Whilst national agencies don't involve
themselves in site management in Ramsar areas, various impacts may trigger
the EPBC Act and therefore invoke federal approval/penalties.  The hovercraft
activities in Western Port may or may not be referable - but it's worth investigating
the coverage of the EPBC in these matters.

-- 
=================================
Lawrie Conole
Senior Ecologist
Ornithology & Terrestrial Ecology
 
Ecology Australia Pty. Ltd.
Flora and Fauna Consultants
88B Station Street
FAIRFIELD VIC 3078 Australia
E-mail: m("ecologyaustralia.com.au","lconole");">
Internet: http://www.ecologyaustralia.com.au/
Ph: (03) 9489 4191; Mob: (0419) 588 993
Fax: (03) 9481 7679
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