Permanent moorings and protection needed for Mudjimba Island reef
As most locals would know Mudjimba Island is a popular diving destination with many boats anchoring on the reef surrounding the island. With increased boating populations, this has meant a greater impact upon our marine environment and waterways with anchors creating significant damage to the reef.
Currently there is a community campaign I am supporting to have permanent shared mooring points put in place to help protect the reef from damage while maintaining access for all those who love this area.
The time is now to protect the reef from this damage through suitable intervention particularly as there is currently no management plan for the coral surrounding the island. Thus, last month I took Shadow Minister for Environment Sam O’Connor out to visit Mudjimba Island with the help of local boaties and divers to view the area and show him why it is important it is protected*.
The best long-term solution may be to create a Marine Park (or something similar) subject to a proper consultation process. However, the main focus at this point is to get the agreement of the State Government to facilitate the installation of these mooring points and protection of the reef by requiring people to use the moorings.
I have written to both the current Ministers for Environment and Transport asking for commitment from them for the right plan to fund the facilitation of protecting the area as both departments must be involved in the installation of the mooring points.
I will keep you posted as I fight for the right protection to look after the area and the community can still enjoy it and it is here for future generations.
*Thanks to Sunreef for providing the boat out to visit Mudjimba Island
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need help or want to discuss any issues of importance to you.