Home > Marine Bioregional Plan for the North-west Marine Region
Marine Bioregional Plan for the North-west Marine Region
| Title | Marine Bioregional Plan for the North-west Marine Region |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Year of Publication | 2012 |
| Corporate Authors | Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities |
| Date Published | 11/2012 |
| City | Canberra |
| Keywords | marine protected areas, marine reserves, planning |
| Abstract | For generations, Australians have enjoyed a unique relationship with the sea. Our oceans play a massive role in Australian life – they provide us with fish to eat, a place to fish, business and tourism opportunities and a place for families to enjoy. Australians know, better than anyone, how important it is that our oceans remain healthy and sustainable. Right now, our iconic marine environment is coming under more and more pressure from industry, from pollution and, increasingly, from climate change. That is why the Australian Government has committed to creating a network of Commonwealth marine reserves around the country. We will protect our precious ecosystems in our oceans as we have done on land with our national parks. The North-west Marine Region extends from the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory, to Kalbarri—south of Shark Bay in Western Australia, and includes extensive areas of shallower waters on the continental shelf, as well as deep areas of abyssal plain where water depths are 5000 metres or more. The North-west Marine Region includes the world famous whale shark aggregations at Ningaloo, and every year, humpback whales migrate through the region to and from their breeding grounds off the Kimberley coast. Six of the seven species of marine turtle in the world are known to live in the region; all have threatened conservation status. Two vulnerable species of sawfish and the Australian snubfin dolphin, which is only present on the Australian continental shelf, are also found in the North-west. This is a special part of Australia. This region attracts tourists from around the world who come to see the unique environment and numerous coral reef systems, including Ningaloo. The reefs are popular sites for diving and snorkeling, and these areas as well as other habitats are important for recreational fishing, charter fishing and marine mammal watching. Ningaloo Reef was placed on the World Heritage List in 2011, in recognition of its outstanding natural values. These plans have been developed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and backed by the best available science. During the statutory consultation period, submissions were received from a wide range of stakeholders in the North-west Marine Region. The comments and information provided by communities and industries have informed the finalisation of the plan. Our oceans contain a diversity of species and ecosystems which deserve protection. In this North-west Marine Bioregional Plan, you will find information about this extraordinary array of marine life and ecosystems. |
| URL | http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/marineplans/north-west/pubs/north-west-marine-plan.pdf |
