Carnac Island draft management plan released for public comment

27/12/01
The public has an opportunity to be involved in planning the future management for Carnac Island with the release of a draft plan today.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said the island, located south-west of Fremantle, was fast becoming popular as a nature-based tourism destination, especially with commercial tour operators.
"However, there is a real chance that without sympathetic and ecologically sustainable management, the pressures on the island as a result of increasing visitor numbers could seriously degrade the natural attractions people want to see," Dr Edwards said.
"These include Australian sea-lions - one of the world's rarest seal species - that use the island as a haul-out area during the non-breeding season.
"The island also is an important nesting habitat for several species of birds such as little penguins, wedge-tailed shearwaters, pied cormorants, pied oystercatchers and several species of terns.
"The draft plan outlines several strategies that will help protect these conservation values while at the same time providing visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the island's natural beauty."
Dr Edwards said the island also had a significant population of tiger snakes.
"Tiger snakes are one of the world's most deadly snakes; consequently there is a potential risk to visitors landing on the island," she said.
"Australian sea-lions also pose a potential risk to humans and the department has developed guidelines for seal-lion interaction to ensure the safety of visitors and to minimise disturbance to the animals.
"Other hazards include steep, undercut limestone cliffs which can be fragile and could collapse under the weight of people.
"The draft plan proposes to continue to allow access to the main beach but has proposed a small visitor exclusion zone to allow sea-lions a sanctuary area.
"Access to the beaches will continue to be limited to day use only, and the use of temporary or seasonal controls will be considered if it is necessary to further protect island fauna, such as beach-nesting birds."
Dr Edwards said other issues covered in the draft plan included weeds, fire, and commercial operations.
The plan was prepared by the Department of Conservation and Land Management on behalf of the Conservation Commission of Western Australia.
Copies are available on the department's website - http://www.naturebase.net - or from the department's offices in Kensington and Fremantle.
The plan is open to public comment for a five-month period.
Minister's office: 9220 5050