SYDNEY, Australia - Australia on Friday created
the world’s largest network of marine reserves, protecting a huge swathe of
ocean environment despite claims it will devastate the fishing industry. 
The plan will entail six marine
regions covering more than 2.3 million square kilometres of Australian
waters, Xinhua news agency reported.
The marine reserves are a world
first and will only have a minor impact on commercial fishing, said Environment Minister Tony Burke.
"There are some areas
where you've got fishing still continuing but some activities such as
trawling are banned, while you have some areas where oil and gas
exploration is banned," he said.
Business affected by the
changes will be able to access 100 million dollars in assistance.
The government announced its
proposal to create the network of marine reserves in June, saying it would
consult with affected industries about how they should be
implemented.
New marine reserves have been
proclaimed in five of Australia's six large marine regions, with the
reserves in the Southeast region announced in 2007.
Source: Agency
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