Abstract
Marine ecosystems are on a global scale, but we are focusing on the regional scale in regards to Tasmanian Marine Ecosystems. Tasmania, or as the locals call it "Tassie", is the 26th largest island in the world. Because of its constant climate changes, geographical location, and cool temperate climate zone, Tasmania's oceans are home to a rich community of marine flora and fauna. Kelp forests, seagrass forests, and sponge gardens are anchored within the ocean and attract many endemic species such as the biscuit starfish and the red velvet fish (Parks, 2009). The Tasmanian people have realized how valuable, vulnerable, and vital their marine ecosystems are, so they have implemented rules and regulations in order to protect and conserve marine life around the island.
Spanish Translation:
Los ecosistemas marinos son a escala mundial, pero nos estamos concentrando en la escala regional en cuanto a los ecosistemas marinos de Tasmania. Tasmania, o como lo llaman los lugareños "Tassie', es la 26ª isla más grande del mundo. Debido a sus constantes cambios de clima, la ubicación geográfica y clima templado frío zona de Tasmania, los océanos son el hogar de una rica comunidad de flora y fauna marinas. Los bosques de kelp, algas marinas, jardines y la esponja se encuentran ancladas en el océano y atraen gran cantidad de especies endémicas, como la estrella de mar y el velvet fish rojo (Parques. 2009). La población de Tasmania dándose cuenta de lo importante que son los ecosistemas marinos, la población a implicado varias restricciones y regulaciones para proteger y conservar la biodiversidad de plantas, pescados, y vida marina en general.
Figure 2: A Map of Tasmania's Marine Reserves
Source: Parks & Wildlife | Tasmania
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=397
Figure 3: Tasmania's Threatened Areas
Source: Australian Government | Department of Environment
http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/biodiversity/threatened-species-ecological-communities/threatened-ecological-communities-1
Figure 4: A Seadragon in Disguise
Source: Australian Marine Conservation Society
http://www.marineconservation.org.au/pages/tasmania.html
Historical State
For around 35 million years, the temperate south marine environment surrounding Tasmania has been geographically and climatically isolated (Parks, 2009). However, there has not been a drastic change since European occupation in the 17th century, but population, agriculture, industry, recreation, and exploitation of living and nonliving resources have disturbed and caused the marine ecosystems to change affecting the life within them (Sutton, 1996). Since 1991, the Tasmanian Government has been responsible for creating marine protected areas (MPA) around Tasmania. This was an effort to formally conserve and protect the full range of marine ecosystems, habitats and species found throughout Tasmania’s coastline (Parks, 2009).
Figure 5: A Closer Look into the Coral Reef
Source: Scuba Diving Australia
http://www.scubadivingaustralia.com.au/dive-sites/tasmania/bicheno/
Figures 6 & 7: A Range of Marine Wildlife in Tasmanian Waters
Source: Ocean Wide Images
http://www.oceanwideimages.com/categories.asp?cID=119&p=2
People’s Impact on the Ecosystem
Tasmanian marine ecosystems are at risk due to overfishing and coastal development. Changes associated with climate change also affect these marine ecosystems off the coast of Tasmania. Overall, the Tasmanian marine life status is OK, it is not ugly because there has been multiple reserves established to protect marine biodiversity, and put a cap on fishing to make it sustainable. However, there is always room for betterment. Due to global warming, the temperatures in the water have been changing, and affecting the coral reefs in the area.
Figure 8: This figure maps the amount of fish that were being fished vs protected, and throughout the years they have protected and capped the amount of fish that are caught
Source: Science Direct
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098107000962
What benefits do people get from the ecosystems?
Marine reserves protect areas from outside exploitation. They provide ideal conditions for scientific research because a wide range of fish are present, in large quantities, which minimizes sampling effort (Berry, 1993). Deep inside the oceans lie a variety of chemical compounds that humans use for antibiotics, anticancer pharmaceuticals, glues, antifouling agents, etc. These are created by unscreened marine species. (Heyward, 1994).They also provide recreational sites for divers and naturalists whom are avid underwater explorers. The number of licensed scuba divers in Australia is about 700,000 and grows about 25% every year (LCC, 1995).
Education helps the public learn the value of the marine environment, the threats, and the skills to look after it (Zann, 1995). Coastal management information can be distributed in a non-intrusive way using signage and, in some cases, nearby interpretation centers.
Protected Areas for Tasmanian Marine Ecosystems
Tinderbox Marine Nature Reserve: Tinderbox offers visitors of all ages a safe introduction to the underwater world. This reserve is home to sea grasses, invertebrae and fish that are able ot reproduce in a safe location.
Maria Island Marine Nature Reserve: Discover a spectacular array of marine life at Maria Island Marine Reserve. Kelp is able to grow here, and the area is protected from over fishing.
Ninepin Point Marine Nature Reserve: Ninepin Point protects an unusual underwater world where light is cut off by tannin-stained water.Region extended in 2009 in order to create a larger space for endemic and unusual species to flourish in such climate. For example, sea sponges, red algae, and local reefs. The Ninepin Point Marine Nature Reserve was first declared in 1991 as a nature reserve under theNational Parks and Wildlife Act 1970.
Source: Parks & Wildlife | Tasmania
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=2938
Kent Group Marine Nature Reserve: These Bass Strait islands are unusually rich in fish species, having the highest diversity in Tasmania.
Port Davey Marine Nature Reserve: Set in the wilderness of southwest Tasmania, this remote region supports unique marine communities.
Governor Island Marine Nature Reserve: A spectacular reserve which offers magnificent sponge gardens and much more. Lobsters are able to grow here now due to protected environment being suitable for reproduction.
Macquarie Island Marine Nature Reserve: The sub-antarctic Macquarie Island Marine Nature Reserve occupies all of Macquarie Island's waters from 0-3 nautical miles. It is proclaimed under Tasmania's Nature Conservation Act 2002 and theFisheries Rules 1999.
Status of that protected area
The largest marine reserve, a marine extension to the Maria Island National Park (MINP) on the Tasmanian east coast, is currently protecting 7 km of moderately-exposed coastline. There is no commercial fishing. However, it is open for recreational fishing of all types but limited to the east of Cape Boullanger. At the Kent group marine reserve, only line fishing, up to 5 hooks, is allowed. The Governor, Tinderbox, Ninepin point, Port Davey, and Macquarie reserves also ban fishing. At Port Davey, fishing for abalone and rock lobster are accepted.Future
The trend for protecting against overfishing and coastal development in the marine protected areas are looking good. The amount of fish that have been reserved to protect biodiversity has been increasing over the years, while the fish that are being used for human consumption has reduced. If the regulations are being followed, the marine ecosystems would only face harm from natural disasters and global warming. The marine protected areas are more likely to face dangers from invasive species than anything else.If the government and Tasmanian people keep up their conservations towards marine life, reduce coastal development, and avoid waste release into the ocean, the waters would remain in a stable condition. If the island population does not regulate their waste, and manage what they put off into the ocean and environment, the oceans will become a “dead spot” and will kill off most of the marine life, making most of its endemic species go extinct and disturbing the natural food chain. Nitrogen and nutrient levels will also be off balance and will cause a change in environmental conditions that will make it difficult for the fish to adapt to such water and surroundings.
Figure 14: Ocean Temperatures in Tasmania During Summers of 1994 and 2012
Source: Redmap
Suggestions
In order to protect marine wildlife, people can reduce how much they fish. Overfishing can cause an imbalance in the marine food chain. A capacity should be implemented on how many and what types of fish people can catch. Government should impose a stipend for the population for consuming a certain amount of fish per year. Human efforts on land are as equally important as they are in the waters. Educating and advocating for a “greener” environment, promoting less fish consumption, teaching people on the importance of conserving marine wildlife, and educating the population on how they affect climate change help change the ways humans look at their impacts on the oceans. Becoming informed about how anthropogenic activity affects climate change, and thus affects ocean temperatures, would slow down the increase in water temperature. Tasmanian government should look into infrastructure and changes that would create an alternative fuel source, the main power generator, for transportation and electricity on the island.
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