VOA标准英语2009-Australia Moves to Protect the Coral Sea

Australia has agreed to protect one million square kilometers of ocean off its northeast coast. The Coral Sea Conservation Zone will help safeguard an area described by conservationists as a "spectacular marine¹ jewel" while the region is assessed for more permanent protection.
　
A diver swimming over Australia's Great Barrier Reef (File)

The Coral Sea is home to an array of wildlife. It is one of the few places in the world where populations of large fish such as tuna and sharks have not been severely² depleted³.

Australia has set up the Coral Sea Conservation Zone in its territorial⁴ waters east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The area borders on vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean that are controlled by Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

The new measures are an interim⁵ step while other suggestions are considered, such as proposals to establish a new marine park or ban commercial fishing in the region.

Activities already carried out in the Coral Sea, such as pleasure cruises, fishing and scientific research, will be allowed to continue but can not be increased within the Conservation Zone.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett thinks he is striking the right balance between conservation and commerce.

"I think that we have done absolutely the right thing in recognition of how important this region is. In doing that we're acknowledging that there are existing uses and that those existing uses can continue," he said.

The Pew Environmental Group, which is based in the United States, has been pushing Australia to increase protection of the Coral Sea.

Spokeswoman Elise Hawthorne welcomes the new measures.

"We think it's a wonderful announcement today," she said. "We're very happy that the Minister made this announcement. And we're just really supportive of anything that protects the Coral Sea. It's such an amazing, spectacular marine jewel that's part of Australia, and it's got an extremely important heritage value as well. So we welcome today's announcement."

Garrett says the government's environmental assessment⁶ of the vast Coral Sea should be completed by the middle of next year.

1 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

2 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

3 depleted   

adj. 枯竭的, 废弃的 动词deplete的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• Food supplies were severely depleted. 食物供应已严重不足。
• Both teams were severely depleted by injuries. 两个队都因队员受伤而实力大减。

4 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

5 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

6 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？