The state government is under increasing pressure to expand the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary in Hobsons Bay, with a petition calling for the expansion attracting more than 5000 signatures and winning support from Williamstown MP and cabinet minister Melissa Horne.
The petitioners are calling for the eastern boundary of the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary to be expanded to include The Crystals, a shallow marine environment near the Williamstown foreshore in the remains of the Crystal Pool.
They argue that like neighbouring Jawbone, The Crystals supports habitats including rocky basalt reef, seagrass beds, intertidal flats, saltmarsh and the largest number of mangroves in Port Phillip Bay.
But while these ecological values resulted in Jawbone being declared a protected marine sanctuary in 2002, the Crystals missed out and remains at risk from fishing, pollution and other human activity.
At 30ha, the Jawbone is the smallest of Victoria’s marine protected areas and which the petitioners say including the Crystals would increase the size and ecological value of the entire sanctuary.
“For the Hobsons Bay community, this sanctuary would be secured as a favourite swimming, snorkelling and tourist destination,” read the petition, which at time of writing had more than 5200 signatures.
Jason Bryce from the Melbourne Open Water Swimming Club is among those who started the petition, along with The Jawbone Marine Care Group and local divers and social media stars, The Snorkel Sisters.
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support we have received for this petition from locals and people visiting the beach,” Mr Bryce said.
But while Ms Horne recently congratulated them on reaching 5000 signatures and signalled her support for their cause, the petitioners are now aiming for more than 10,000 to get the attention of Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos.
A spokesperson for the state government was non-committal when asked about petition.
“We’re always working to on ways we can give Victorians more opportunities to explore our great outdoors – including by taking advantage of our amazing diving, swimming or snorkelling sites – as well as helping our marine wildlife thrive,” the spokesperson said.
