We need more support to protect The Crystal

Hi Crystal Lovers, 

Share our petition: https://www.change.org/ProtectTheCrystals

This commitment last week by Melissa Horne MP and the Minister for Environment Jaclyn Symes to:

"amend the National Parks (Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries) Act 2022 to increase the size of the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary"   

is the only firm commitment from any politician about this issue.

Other candidates and parties have not made any announcements or promises about Jawbone Marine Sanctuary. 

The Star Weekly is reporting that fishing lobby group, VRFish, is strongly opposed to this and any other expanded marine sanctuaries (but are demanding $2.5m for habitat protection and restoration in the bay).

Please support our campaign to protect this tiny part of our beautiful bay. 

Below is a statement provided to us from Melissa Horne MP:

What a win for The Crystals!

To some it’s The Crystals, to others it’s the Crystal Pool, and some like to call it The Crystal – regardless – we love it and want to protect it.

This week Jaclyn Symes, Minister for the Environment, and I popped down to The Crystals at Williamstown Beach to let Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care Group, the Snorkle Sisters, Melbourne Open Water Swimming Club, Jellyfish Swim Group, and everyone else know that a re-elected Carroll Labor Government will protect The Crystals at Williamstown Beach. 

The Crystals sits a few hundred metres outside of the protection of the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary and is home to beautiful local marine life like seahorses, stingrays, seagrass beds and more.

The Jawbone Marine Sanctuary is one of Victoria’s 11 marine sanctuaries, and as one of the smallest and most accessible to the public, a re-elected Carroll Labor Government will amend the National Parks (Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries Act 2022) to increase the size of the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary.

Our world-first network of marine national parks and sanctuaries to protect underwater biodiversity was created and established under the Bracks Labor Government, and this will preserve The Crystals for generations to come.

Our coastal and marine environment is a large part of the identity of the electorate of Williamstown.

Port Phillip is one of Victoria’s most precious natural ecosystems, and it is more important than ever that we continue to conserve and protect our marine life.

Protecting The Crystals and expanding the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary builds on previous Labor Government funding for Port Phillip, including $1.3 million in grants across a whopping 187 projects in and around the bay.

This includes $297,000 to reduce overabundant urchin densities and implement kelp seeding approaches in Jawbone Marine Sanctuary to prevent further kelp loss and ensure the ongoing recovery of critically important reef habitat.

Additionally, The Labor Government invested $25,000 for Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care Group to improve the community care and health of the marine park, including two marine stewardship programs by 1,000 students and community members.  

Thank you to the community, including the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care Group, the Snorkel Sisters, Melbourne Open Water Swimming Club, The Jellies and The Salties,  who have advocated for this.

It's really good to be able to support the whole Protect the Crystal’s team and their petition on this important issue, and they have been an absolute joy to advocate with.

Thank you for the work you do.

You can check out the media release and announcement here:

https://melissahornemp.com.au/labor-is-protecting-the-crystals/

I'm proud to be a member of a government that supports our environment, and I'll always fight for working families.

If I can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me on Melissa.Horne@vic.alp.gov.au.

Many thanks,

Melissa

Share our petition: https://www.change.org/ProtectTheCrystals