Toby Stone, AMSA General Manager of Marine Environment, led Australia’s delegation and there were a number of important outcomes for Australia.
Extension of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) approved
Australia’s proposal to extend the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait PSSA into the south west Coral Sea has been approved by the MEPC.
This extension will see an additional 565,000 square kilometres of the Coral Sea protected, more than doubling the size of the existing area.
Designation as a PSSA helps to protect seas where significant ecological, socio-economic, cultural or scientific attributes may be vulnerable to damage by international shipping.
The Great Barrier Reef was declared the world’s first PSSA in 1990, and in 2005 this area was extended to include the Torres Strait.
Three Associated Protective Measures will support the new PSSA extension including a new Area to be Avoided and two supporting two-way routes.
These measures will enhance ship safety and the protection of the marine environment by keeping traffic away from the many reefs, cays, islets, sandbars and shoal patches within the area.
Please see the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure’s