Protection for our unique marine environment a step closer
An important step toward securing the future of the globally significant but unprotected south west waters of Australia has been taken by the Australian Government. On 19 May 2009 it released a map of areas to be assessed for possible inclusion in a network of new marine protected areas.
These areas, shown below, comprise 54% of the South West Marine Region – a 1.3 million square kilometre stretch of water extending from Kalbarri in Western Australia to Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It is the first region in the country in which new marine sanctuaries may be established by the Rudd Government.
This announcement is a significant step by the Government in recognising the scale and urgency of the need to protect large areas of Australia’s valuable and unique marine life.
However the test of this Government’s commitment will be in how much of the region is designated, and therefore protected, in marine sanctuaries.
Click below on each of the selected areas to see why they are so important.
» For the Government's release document, click here [pdf 3.8Mb]
Why are each of the areas identified for possible protection so important?
Abrolhos
- Western Australia’s most significant natural marine feature for marine wildlife.
- An important breeding ground for the western rock lobster - one of Australia’s most valuable fisheries.
- The location of the southern-most major coral reefs of the Indian ocean.
- An important resting area for humpback whales.
- The location for 20 of Australia’s 132 dive wrecks.
Jurien
- An important feeding area for the endangered green turtle.
- Home to colonies of the rare Australian sea lion.
- Highly productive marine environment and a significant feeding area for marine life.
- Deep seafloor ridges creating sheltered inshore lagoon habitat for unique marine life.
- Shipwreck of the SS Cambewarra.
Perth Canyon
- The largest canyon in Australia - eroded by the ancient Swan River. Its even larger than the Grand Canyon.
- A critical feeding site for the world’s largest animal – the endangered blue whale.
- Important for other threatened marine life including southern blue fin tuna and the minke whale.
- The southern range limit for many tropical species.
- A unique feature in Australia’s waters.
South West Corner
A. Naturaliste Plateau- A pristine, unexplored and totally unique environment.
- Australia’s deepest marine plateau with cliffs of up to 1000 metres high.
- A high number of species, most of which are expected to be unique.
B. Geographe Bay,the Cape and the south coast
- An important feeding area for critically endangered loggerhead turtles.
- Extremely high numbers of different marine species including the vulnerable WA dhufish.
- A local biodiversity hotspot around Naturaliste Reef.
- An important habitat for the endangered southern right whale.
- Australia’s highest mountain range and deepest waters at more than 7.5 kilometres deep.
- A sub-sea feature like no other in the world and therefore host to sea life found nowhere else in the world.
- A pristine and totally unique environment that’s almost completely unexplored.
- Host to blue whales listening to their Antarctic cousins calling from afar.
Recherche (east and west)
- The waters of the Recherche Archipelago are a biodiversity hotspot known for high diversity of fish, sponges, ancient corals, molluscs, and macro-algae.
- An important site for the threatened Australian sea lion and southern fur seals.
- A southern right whale gathering and calving area.
- An important area for protected sea birds such as terns, shearwaters and sea eagles.
- The Recherche Archipelago is the most extensive area of reef in the South-west Marine Region.
GAB extension
- A critical breeding site for the threatened Australian sea lion, unique to the region, and threatened bird life.
- The cross roads of four marine ecosystems.
- Location of extensive canyons - important for feeding and resting whales.
Western Eyre
- A globally significant nursery for the endangered southern right whale.
- Very high levels of wildlife found nowhere else.
- Feeding and breeding grounds for the Australian sea lion and the threatened great white shark.
