MARINE RESERVE IMPLEMENTATION SOUTH COAST SOUTH COAST TERRESTRIAL AND MARINE RESERVE INTEGRATION STUDY PROJECT #713 NATIONAL RESERVE SYSTEM COOPERATIVE PROGRAM Final Report: MRIP/SC-10/1997 A collaborative project between CALM Marine Conservation Branch and South Coast Region A project funded by Environment Australia Prepared by J G Colman Marine Conservation Branch March 1998 Marine Conservation Branch Department of Conservation and Land Management 47 Henry Street South Coast Terrestrial and Marine Reserve Integration Study Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160 ii South Coast Terrestrial and Marine Reserve Integration Study Research and the collation of information presented in this report was undertaken with funding provided by Environment Australia. The project was undertaken for the National Reserves System Cooperative Program (Project #713). The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not reflect those of the Commonwealth Government, the Minister for the Environment, or the Secretary, Environment Australia This report may be cited as South Coast Terrestrial and Marine Reserve Integration Study. Copies of the report may be borrowed from the library: Environment Australia Biodiversity Group GPO Box 636 CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA or The Librarian Science and Information Division Department of Conservation and Land Management PO Box 51 WANNEROO WA 6065 AUSTRALIA Cover - Bremer Bay and the Fitzgerald River National Park - Landsat TM imagery digitally enhanced by Satellite Remote Sensing Services, Department of Land Administration (DOLA), Western Australia. Satellite data provided from the Australian Coastal Atlas by ACRES. iii South Coast Terrestrial and Marine Reserve Integration Study EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Currently, there are no marine conservation reserves along the south coast of Western Australia, although most of the coastal terrestrial reserves contain marine areas between high and low water marks. In 1994, the Marine Parks and Reserves Selection Working Group published a statewide review of the marine environment, entitled “A Representative Marine Reserve System for Western Australia”. In this report the Working Group identified a number of estuaries/inlets and areas of coastal waters along the south coast, adjacent to existing terrestrial reserves, that were considered as suitable candidates for possible incorporation into the statewide representative system of marine conservation reserves. This project commenced in October 1996, with the primary objective of gathering the necessary information to facilitate a regional classification of the marine environment along the south coast, according to ecological, economic and cultural criteria. A further objective was to establish an information base for candidate marine conservation reserve areas identified in the Working Group report. Outcomes from the project include recommendations that facilitate the integrated management of adjacent terrestrial and marine conservation reserves and ensure that the potential impacts of terrestrial and estuarine ecosystems upon their marine counterparts are understood prior to the creation of any marine conservation reserves. The project also identifies issues, opportunities and constraints affecting integrated management. The first phase of the project consisted of a review of the available information on the nature conservation, recreation, aesthetic and economic values of the nine candidate marine conservation reserve areas within the project boundaries, and of the adjacent terrestrial national parks and nature reserves. This phase also involved a review of the estuaries and catchments across the south coast, which classified the estuaries, inlets and associated catchments, and identified major management issues affecting these systems. The Fitzgerald Biosphere Reserve and adjacent inshore marine environment were selected for more detailed study of the range of issues affecting integrated management of terrestrial and marine conservation reserves across the region. A marine biological survey of the inshore waters adjacent to the biosphere reserve was carried out, the first detailed investigation of the marine environment in this area. Preliminary analysis of the results of this survey suggest that the benthic habitats support diverse species assemblages and communities, and that the inshore marine environment of the area is in relatively pristine condition, confirming the high conservation values of these waters identified in the Report of the Marine Parks and Reserves Selection Working Group. In recognition of these values, and of the national and international significance of the terrestrial biosphere reserve it is recommended that the area of State waters adjacent to the Fitzgerald Biosphere Reserve be considered as a marine conservation reserve priority area for the south coast region. Further assessments of the conservation, social and economic values of this candidate marine conservation reserve area are required. It is further recommended that coastal waters between Israelite Bay and Point Culver, east of the Recherche Archipelago, be considered for inclusion in the marine conservation reserve system, in recognition of the high conservation values of this area. Hauloff Rock, located between Albany and Bremer Bay should be considered for reservation within the terrestrial reserve system, in recognition of its national significance as a fur seal and sea lion breeding site. Based on the recommendations of the Working Group Report and on a review and classification of estuaries and inlets carried out as part of this project it is recommended that permanently open and seasonally open/closed systems be considered for inclusion in the marine conservation reserve system and that normally and permanently closed systems be considered for inclusion in the terrestrial reserve system. Broke Inlet and Walpole-Nornalup Inlets are recommended as marine conservation reserve priority areas and it is recommended that the inlets surrounded by the Fitzgerald River National Park be incorporated within the park as part of the terrestrial reserve system. A number of key management issues affecting the implementation of marine conservation reserves across the south coast have been identified. These include issues of major concern to some stakeholders and sections of some local communities across the region, such as access to marine and coastal resources through terrestrial conservation estate, and the perception that creation of reserves will totally exclude activities such as commercial and recreational fishing. A public liaison program is required, as a priority, to address these concerns, via a clear explanation of the multiple-use reserve concept, the different reserve categories and management zoning, and community and stakeholder involvement in the implementation process. iv South Coast Terrestrial and Marine Reserve Integration Study RECOMMENDATIONS TERRESTRIAL RESERVES RECOMMENDATION 1 · That the management of access to adjacent marine resources, through existing terrestrial reserves, continue to be adequately considered during the development of area management plans. RECOMMENDATION 2 · That the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority consider, as a priority, reservation of Hauloff Rock, in recognition of its national significance as a fur seal and sea lion breeding site. MARINE CONSERVATION RESERVES RECOMMENDATION 3 · That the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority consider the area of State waters adjacent to the larger notional Fitzgerald Biosphere Reserve (Groper Bluff to Starvation Boat Harbour) for inclusion in a future marine conservation reserve. RECOMMENDATION 4 · That the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority consider the Fitzgerald region as a marine conservation reserve priority area for the south coast. RECOMMENDATION 5 · That the management of any future Fitzgerald marine conservation reserve be integrated with the terrestrial and estuarine components of the Fitzgerald Biosphere Reserve. RECOMMENDATION 6 · That the status of management planning in adjoining terrestrial reserves be an important consideration in prioritising other candidate marine conservation reserves along the south coast. RECOMMENDATION 7 · That the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority consider the coastal waters between Israelite Bay and Point Culver for inclusion in the statewide system of marine conservation reserves, in recognition of the high conservation values of this area. ESTUARIES/INLETS RECOMMENDATION 8 · That, of the estuaries and inlets identified in the Report of the Marine Parks and Reserves Selection Working Group, permanently open and seasonally open/closed systems be considered for inclusion in the marine conservation reserve system. vi South Coast Terrestrial and Marine Reserve Integration Study RECOMMENDATIONS (continued) RECOMMENDATION 9 · That, of the estuaries and inlets identified in the Report of the Marine Parks and Reserves Selection Working Group, normally and permanently closed systems be considered for inclusion with surrounding terrestrial reserves. Legal opinion is required as to whether this can be achieved under the provisions of the Land Act. RECOMMENDATION 10 · That the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority consider the Broke and Walpole-Nornalup Inlets as marine conservation reserve priority areas. RECOMMENDATION 11 · That the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority consider inclusion of the Gordon, Boondalup, St Mary’s, Fitzgerald, Dempster and Hamersley Inlets with the Fitzgerald