Have your say on the South-west Marine Region
The draft South-west Marine Bioregional Plan and a proposed network of Commonwealth marine reserves for the South-west Marine Region have been released for public consultation. For more information visit the Department’s website: http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/south-west/index.html
People with an interest in the draft South-west The submissions forms are available at Marine Bioregional Plan and the proposed South- http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/ west marine reserve network are encouraged south-west/index.html, and to provide written feedback. The Department of • can be completed and submitted online; or Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities’ website contains information about • saved and emailed to how to lodge a submission and closing dates for [email protected] or receiving submissions. • printed and posted free of charge to:
If you have any questions about how to make a MBP Submissions – South-west submission or on any other aspects of the marine Reply Paid 787 bioregional planning process please email Canberra, ACT 2601 [email protected] or phone 1800 069 352. Developing Marine Reserves and When will new marine reserves in the South-west Marine Region take effect? The proposed South-west reserve network will be completed after public consultation has concluded and marine bioregional planning submissions have been considered. in Australia’s South-west
DRAFT FOR COMMENT / PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Developing Marine Reserves and marine bioregional planning in Australia’s South-west MAR52/0411 110°E 120°E 130°E
North-west 2 Marine Region Abrolhos 80 210 km Shark Bay World Proposed South-west Commonwealth marine reserve network Heritage Area Represents an ecologically important area with high species diversity Proposed Commonwealth marine reserve network Maritime boundaries Other protected areas in the transition zone from tropical to temperate environments. Outer boundaries Marine planning region boundaries Existing Commonwealth marine reserves Includes globally significant seabird feeding grounds. Internal zoning: Limit of Australian exclusive economic zone Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Marine National Park (IUCN II) Limit of coastal waters 2 Australian Government Data Sources: Jurien 1880 km Special Purpose Zone (IUCN VI) DSEWPaC (2006): Commonwealth Marine Planning Regions 0 50 100 200 300 400 DSEWPaC (2007): Australia, World Heritage Areas Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI) DSEWPaC (2010): Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database Includes feeding habitat for the threatened soft plumaged petrel Approximate scale (km) Geoscience Australia (2006): Australian Maritime Boundaries (AMB) v2.0 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2011 Projection: Geographics Geoscience Australia (2003): Australia, TOPO-2.5M Topographic Data and for the largest breeding colonies of Australian sea lions on Kalbarri the west coast. Also includes west coast continental shelf habitats and local areas of high productivity which support the ecologically 2 important western rock lobster – a key predator in the deeper Western Eyre 51 220 km waters on the continental shelf. 2 Great Australian Bight 49 660 km Includes important habitats for Australian sea lions, whales and sharks. Geraldton Represents ecosystems associated with nutrient‑rich waters rising The seabed communities found on the inner shelf are among Western Australia South Australia 2 up through deep sea canyons and connects ecosystems across the Perth Canyon 11 720 km the world’s most diverse in soft sediment ecosystems. It extends continental shelf with those in the deep ocean. Australia’s first representative marine reserve, the Great Australian The Perth Canyon is Australia’s largest ocean canyon and a primary Bight Marine Park, which is a globally significant breeding area for feeding ground for the threatened pygmy blue whale. It is as large southern right whales. 2 in dimension as the Grand Canyon is on land and it marks the Western Kangaroo Island 1 930 km 30°S 30°S Jurien Bay southern boundary for numerous tropical organisms on the shelf, Includes important habitat for blue and southern right whales, including sponges, corals, decapods and xanthid crabs. Eastern Recherche 19 240 km2 Australian sea lions and white sharks. Represents an area of high species diversity on the continental shelf around Kangaroo Island Includes important habitats for a number of protected species including an area known as the Kangaroo Island pool where nutrient South West Corner 322 380 km2 including Australian sea lions, southern right whales, white sharks rich, deep ocean waters rise to the surface to create an important Two Rocks and seabirds. Represents extensive rocky reef and seagrass food source for many species. One of the largest highly protected zones in the world is proposed Eucla habitats in the species rich Recherche Archipelago. Perth within this reserve. Represents a wide range of ecosystems from the edge of coastal waters to the deep ocean, including Ceduna canyons and reefs. Contains one of the deepest areas of ocean in Port Augusta Australian waters, the Diamantina Fracture Zone, which reaches depths of nearly 6 km and is believed to support many species Streaky Bay found nowhere else in the world.
Bunbury Elliston Busselton Esperance CONSULTATION Augusta Bremer Bay Port DRAFT Lincoln Adelaide Walpole Albany
South-east Marine Region
The proposed South-west reserve network 40°S 40°S
The South-west Marine Region is an area of rich Populations of Australian sea lions breed and feed New Commonwealth marine reserves are being The outer boundaries and zones of the proposed biodiversity and home to many species found throughout the year in colonies stretching from the identified through the bioregional planning reserves have been designed to minimise impacts Area of the South-west 1 292 015 km2 nowhere else in the world. The Leeuwin Current Houtman Abrolhos Islands in Western Australia to process to help ensure that examples of all of on people and industries who are currently using marine region has a strong influence on the region, bringing warm the Pages Islands in South Australia. Australia’s different marine ecosystems, habitats marine resources. water from the tropics, down the west coast and then and the life they support are protected for future The proposal includes a network of 8 marine Area of the draft marine eastwards into the Great Australian Bight. The Recherche Archipelago is one of the generations. Following public consultation, reserves reserves located in Commonwealth waters: reserve network proposed 538 226 km2 South‑west’s key biodiversity hotspots with over in the South‑west will become part of the National in the South-west The South-west Marine Region is recognised as an 1000 species including 30 percent of Australia’s Representative System of Marine Protected Areas – • Abrolhos area of global significance for breeding and feeding unique fish species and over 400 species of coral. a joint undertaking of the Commonwealth, state and • Jurien grounds for a number of protected marine species, Northern Territory governments. including Australian sea lions, southern right whales, The South-west Marine Region is considered • Perth Canyon blue whales, white sharks and seabirds. internationally important for seabirds. 18 of the 48 The reserves have been designed with the aim of • South-west Corner species that occur in the region have significant capturing the diversity of marine ecosystems and • Eastern Recherche The Perth Canyon and the canyons south of proportions of their breeding or foraging areas here habitats around Australia. Kangaroo Island are the only two known blue whale (or on adjacent islands). Up to 1.4 million seabirds • Great Australian Bight feeding areas in the region. breed off South Australia and in Western Australia • Western Eyre more than one million pairs of seabirds breed • Western Kangaroo Island annually on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands alone.
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North-west Marine Region Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Kalbarri
Geraldton
Western Australia South Australia 30°S 30°S Jurien Bay
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North-west 25°S Globally significant seabird habitats Marine Region Proposed South-west Commonwealth marine reserve network 25°S Shark Bay World Heritage Area Proposed Commonwealth marine reserve network Maritime boundaries Other protected areas
Outer boundaries Marine planning region boundaries Existing Commonwealth marine reserves
Internal zoning: Limit of Australian exclusive economic zone Shark Bay World Heritage Area Feeding habitats for the largest Marine National Park (IUCN II) Limit of coastal waters breeding colonies of Australian sea Australian Government Data Sources: Special Purpose Zone (IUCN VI) lions on the west coast 0 50 100 200 300 400 DSEWPaC (2006): Commonwealth Marine Planning Regions DSEWPaC (2007): Australia, World Heritage Areas Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI) DSEWPaC (2010): Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database Approximate scale (km) Geoscience Australia (2006): Australian Maritime Boundaries (AMB) v2.0 Kalbarri Projection: Geographics Two Rocks © Commonwealth of Australia, 2011 Geoscience Australia (2003): Australia, TOPO-2.5M Topographic Data Eucla Geraldton Flesh footed shearwater Marine bioregional Land Western Australia South Australia planning applies to Perth The largest known aggregation of blue whales Commonwealth Waters State waters 30°S Ceduna30°S Jurien Bay State Waters Commonwealth Waters Commonwealth Limit of coastal waters waters Port Augusta Two Rocks Eucla Perth Ceduna
Port Augusta
Streaky Bay Streaky Bay
Bunbury Elliston Esperance Rich and colourful communities Busselton
Augusta Bremer Bay Port Lincoln Bunbury Adelaide Walpole Albany 35°S 35°S Elliston Esperance Busselton
Augusta Unique rocky reef fish native to the region Bremer Bay
South-east Port Marine Region MARINE BIOREGIONAL PLANNING Lincoln Indian yellow‑nosed albatross Adelaide Walpole Albany For generations Australians have understood the need
40°S to preserve precious areas on land as national parks. 40°S Our oceans contain many iconic and fragile sites which CONSULTATION Table 1. Proposed zones and permitted activities within the draft South-west marine reserve network. deserve protection too. Southern right whales Marine National DRAFT Activity Multiple Use Zone Special Purpose Zone Australia has the third largest marine area of from many sources to present a clear picture of Park Zone any nation in the world. Our marine region the characteristics and diversity of our oceans. Recreational fishinga runs from the coral-rich tropical seas of the The plans will help to protect the unique diversity north to the sub-Antarctic waters of of our marine life and ecosystems and help us Recreational scuba diving and snorkellingb the Southern Ocean. use our oceans sustainably now and for the benefit of future generations. Research and monitoringb Our oceans are twice the size of our continental Tourism, including dive/snorkel land mass. They cover almost 16 million square Marine bioregional plans are being developed tours, nature watchingb kilometres and in the unique area off the coast under national environmental law. Mining, including petroleum of south-west Western Australia, reach depths Diverse and productive algal communities c The marine reserve network will have no impact exploration and development of almost six kilometres. in the area from the coastline out to three Shippingd In some parts of the south-west marine region, nautical miles (5.5km) from shore. It applies to Charter fishinge up to 90 per cent of marine species are not Commonwealth waters only. Marine bioregional Iconic fish species of the South-west found anywhere else in the world. One third of plans apply to Commonwealth waters. Offshore aquaculturee
45°S the world’s whale and dolphin species are found Commercial fishing 45°S The plans are being developed under the e in the region. (except as indicated below) national environmental law because it protects Important habitats for key predators Australia’s marine environment is under long‑term Commonwealth marine areas as a matter of Demersal trawl pressure from climate change. Climate change national environmental significance. Marine Demersal gillnet threatens to change our oceans and the life bioregional plans are based on science, Demersal longline in them as they become more acidic, sea detailed planning and community consultation. temperatures rise and there are shifts in a Recreational fishing is managed by the states. All state rules and regulations (e.g. size and bag The entire South-west Marine Region covers oceanographic processes such as the major limits) will apply in Commonwealth marine reserves unless otherwise specified in statutory 1.3 million square kilometres of Commonwealth management plans currents that distribute nutrients and biodiversity waters that lie adjacent to the eastern tip of b Approval will be required for these activities (e.g. registration, general approval or individual permit) around Australia. Kangaroo Island in South Australia and extend in Marine National Park Zones (IUCN Category II) That’s why the Australian Government is working to Shark Bay in Western Australia. It covers c As currently applies, individual project assessment and approval is required by the Director of National parks and under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as with communities to develop marine plans and temperate and sub-tropical waters. Commonwealth marine areas are protected as a matter of national environmental significance marine reserves. These plans are drawing d Ballast water exchange is managed under national arrangements. Restrictions may apply in sensitive areas together scientific knowledge and information e Approval will be required for these activities (e.g. registration, general approval or individual permit) in multiple use and special purpose zones
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Images: Bottlenose dolphin – Kevin Smith, Vercos nudibranch – Antony King, Yellow nosed albatross – Richard Freeman, Humpback whale – Richard Freeman, Swallow-tail – Glen Cowan, Sea lion – David Muirhead, Harlequin fish – James Brook, Caulerpa – James Brook, Flesh footed shearwater – Richard Freeman, Southern right whale – Dave Watts, Old wife – Alex Sutandio, Tern common – Richard Freeman, Sea lion – David Muirhead, Baldchin groper – WA Fisheries, South-east Whale tail – Richard Freeman, Blue whale – DSEWPAC, Great white shark – Rachel Robbins Marine Region 40°S 40°S
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