ProWest News – Pew using US dollars to fund DBCA marine park love affair
The obvious question the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is yet to answer is, why it is being driven by eco-policy advice from the US, while ignoring local marine science from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)?
This leads to the second question: Why does WA have to secure 30 percent of its waters as sanctuary zones, when the US only has three percent, and US marine scientists publicly warn of the risks of expansive sanctuary zones?
Even more surprising is the fact that the 30 percent has no scientific basis. It’s just a figure dreamed up by Pew. A figure that seemingly doesn’t apply in Pew’s US homeland, as expansive sanctuary zones would impact the US oil companies, which are one if Pew’s funding sources!
These are questions the Environment Minister will surely have to answer when the looonnnnggg-overdue maps are finally released for public comment.
Let’s hope DBCA don’t wait until the Christmas holidays to release the maps, as that would be the exclamation point on what has been a very corrupted and shameful ‘consultation’ process.