‘Huge environmental win’: Australia to protect 52% of its oceans, more than any other country, Plibersek says

Sub-Antarctic marine park expansion welcomed but scientists say some areas important to penguins and seals missed out on sanctuary-level protection

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The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, has declared Australia will soon protect more ocean than any other country after the government finalises a more than 300,000 square kilometre expansion of a sub-Antarctic marine park.

Speaking ahead of what was billed as a global nature positive summit starting in Sydney on Tuesday, Plibersek confirmed the Heard and McDonald Island Marine Park about 4,000 km south-west of Perth would quadruple in size.

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