Annual Report
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ANNUAL REPORT 1 July 2012 - 30 June 2013 Marine Parks and Reserves Authority 17 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington Western Australia 6151 Phone: (08) 9219 9117 MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT In accordance with section 31 of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, I submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the annual report of the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority for the year ending 30 June 2013. Dr Tom Hatton Chairman September 2013 CONTENTS MPRA Vision, Responsibilities and Strategies ..................................................... 1 Chairman's Review ................................................................................................. 2 General Information ................................................................................................ 4 Functions of the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority .................................. 4 Written direction by the Minister ..................................................................... 5 MPRA membership ........................................................................................ 5 Meeting notice and attendance ....................................................................... 7 MPRA meetings .............................................................................................. 8 Conflict of Interest ........................................................................................... 9 Public Interest Disclosure ............................................................................... 9 The Marine Conservation Estate ............................................................................ 9 Legislative background ................................................................................... 9 Categories of reserve and functions ............................................................... 9 Reserve classifications and security of tenure .............................................. 11 Area vested .................................................................................................. 11 Consideration of proposed changes for vested land and waters .................. 12 CALM Act Controlling Bodies .............................................................................. 12 Marine Parks and Reserves Authority and the Conservation Commission of WA ............................................................................................................ 12 Policy Development .............................................................................................. 12 Legislative background ................................................................................. 12 Policy statements ......................................................................................... 13 Policy Development Action during 2012/2013 .............................................. 13 Proposals for New Marine Parks and Reserves ................................................. 13 Development of the marine parks and reserves program ............................. 13 Legislative background ................................................................................. 14 Status of proposed new marine parks and reserves ..................................... 14 Proposed Dampier Archipelago Marine Conservation Reserves .................. 14 Proposed Roebuck Bay Marine Park ............................................................ 15 Proposed Horizontal Falls and North Kimberley Marine Park including a new park to the Northern Territory boarder…………………………………….16 New Marine Parks.................................................................................................. 16 Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park ..................................................................... 16 Management Plans ................................................................................................ 17 Legislative background and management plan development ....................... 17 Status of key management frameworks and plans ....................................... 19 Ningaloo Marine Park and Muiron Islands Marine Management Area .......... 19 Rowley Shoals Marine Park ......................................................................... 19 Shoalwater Islands Marine Park ................................................................... 20 Jurien Bay Marine Park ................................................................................ 20 Marmion Marine Park ................................................................................... 20 Shark Bay Marine Park and Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve .............. 20 Montebello/Barrow Islands Marine Conservation Reserves ......................... 20 Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park .................................................... 21 Swan Estuary Marine Park and Adjacent Nature Reserves .......................... 21 Ngari Capes Marine Park. ............................................................................ 21 Camden Sound Marine Park. ....................................................................... 21 Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park. .................................................................... 21 Management Implementation and Audit ............................................................. 22 Assessment of the implementation of management plans ........................... 22 2011/2012 Annual Audit Report .................................................................... 22 Ningaloo Marine Park and Muiron Islands Marine Management Area audit…………………………………………………………………………..23 Marmion Marine Park audit………………………………………………………24 Swan Estuary and Shoalwater Islands marine park audits…………………...25 Interim management ..................................................................................... 25 Management Implementation and Audit Issues Considered During 2012/13…………………………………………………………………….26 Leases, licences and permits ....................................................................... 26 Leases, licences and permit issues considered during 2012/2013 ............... 26 Advice to the Minister ........................................................................................... 27 Legislative background ................................................................................. 27 Action during 2012/2013 ............................................................................... 27 Aquaculture and Pearling ..................................................................................... 27 Background .................................................................................................. 27 State Government policy .............................................................................. 27 MPRA involvement ....................................................................................... 28 Industry and Resources ....................................................................................... 28 Background .................................................................................................. 28 State Government policy .............................................................................. 28 MPRA involvement ....................................................................................... 28 Issues considered during 2012/2013 ............................................................ 29 Liaison .................................................................................................................... 29 Background .................................................................................................. 29 Summary Action during 2012/2013 .............................................................. 29 Communication ............................................................................................. 30 Resources .............................................................................................................. 31 Funding and administrative arrangements ................................................... 31 MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES AUTHORITY The Marine Parks and Reserves Authority was established in August 1997 subsequent to amendment of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (CALM Act). The Authority’s primary role is to oversee the development of marine reserves policy and management plans and the implementation of these plans by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The Authority also advises the Minister for Environment on marine conservation and can develop policies to preserve the natural marine and estuarine environments outside marine conservation reserves. The Authority has formulated a strategic plan which has allowed it to develop a vision and strategy as set out below. OUR VISION Healthy, sustainable, marine and estuarine ecosystems OUR RESPONSIBILITIES To oversee the development and management of the marine parks and reserves system. To advise the Minister for Environment on marine conservation. To develop policies to preserve and promote natural marine and estuarine environments. OUR STRATEGIES ARE FORMULATED TO: Guide Authority decisions and actions by effective policy development and application. Promote marine and estuarine conservation in Western Australia. Consider proposals for marine and estuarine parks and reserves. Prepare effective management plans for marine parks and reserves. Implement and audit management plans for marine parks and reserves. Page 1 CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW The past year was highlighted by one change in the Marine