Australia has declared some 2.3 million square kilometres of their ocean territory as protected areas, establishing the world’s largest network of marine reserves. Environment Minister Tony Burke said the vast coverage of the protected area is the most complete network of marine parks in the world, making Australia a world leader in marine conservation. The marine reserve network will cover the Coral Sea, located in between the Great Barrier Reef and the edge of Australian territorial waters.
The government will be providing a $100 million package for the fishermen who will be affected by the conservation effort. Fishers will have until July 2014 before restrictions in the area take effect.
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