The Australian Greens said today it is ironic that Australia is hosting the World Parks Congress when our Government has torn down our world leading system of marine parks.

"The Federal Government should restore our system of marine parks by immediately reinstating their management plans," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on marine issues said.

"It is an international disgrace for Australia to be hosting the World Parks Congress when our Government has taken the retrograde step of suspending the management plans for our marine parks.

The United States has taken further lead on climate, science and conservation with President Barack Obama using his executive powers to declare additional marine protected areas and increasing research funds for monitoring ocean acidification as part of push to deal with the impacts of pollution, climate change, and overfishing in our oceans.

The Australian Greens are today recognising World Oceans Day by joining a rally at Hillarys Marina maintaining pressure on the WA and Federal Governments over Colin Barnett's shark cull.

"World Ocean Day reminds us of the value of our oceans and marine life and the need to protect them from pollution, overfishing and climate change," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens marine spokesperson said today.

The Australian Greens said today that new research linking the increased presence of C02 in our oceans to changes in the behaviour of fish species shows the widespread threat of climate change to the marine environment, sustainable industries and food security.

"Reports today on the findings of a Australian Institute of Marine Science, James Cook University and the Georgia Institute of Technology study underscores the significant stresses that oceans are experiencing as a result of climate change," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens marine spokesperson said today.

The Australian Greens said today that new research on marine parks highlights deep flaws in the Federal Government's decision to dump management plans for marine protected areas.

"New research form the University of Tasmania shows that properly designed and managed marine parks are extremely effective. They boost fish stocks and restore biodiversity," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens marine spokesperson said today.

Kangaroo Island's community and tourism industry will be jeopardised if federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt fails to block seismic testing off the coast, says Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright.

Senator Wright, who has been working with the Kangaroo Island community since the exploration was first mooted two years ago, said Bight Petroleum's report on community concerns was completely inadequate and showed disregard for South Australians.

The Australian Greens said today the Coalition are showing total disregard for science and environmental protection by scrapping the management plans for our nation's world-leading network of marine protected areas.

"Our marine parks are now basically lines on maps. Nobody should be fooled- this decision guts marine parks," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens marine spokesperson said today.

I move that the Senate:

1)      notes the public comment period has started,  for Bight Petroleum's referral (Reference Number 2013/6770) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), which sets out its intention to do seismic testing in Commonwealth waters, to the west of Kangaroo Island in South Australia;

2)      recognises the economic, ecological and social importance of the Kangaroo Island marine environment, first and foremost for the Kangaroo Island community, but also for  South Australia as a whole; and