Plans to protect a globally significant marine habitat off Western Australia’s coast have been announced after decades of advocacy by conservationists.
The WA government announced on Friday that a new marine park would be created encompassing the entirety of the Exmouth Gulf.
Adjacent to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, the gulf spans mangrove wetlands, coral enclaves, whale and dugong nurseries and one of WA’s most productive prawn fisheries.
Premier Roger Cook said the Exmouth Gulf Marine Park would be jointly managed with traditional owners to protect its cultural and environmental values, while preserving its ongoing social end economic use.
Matthew Swinbourn and Roger Cook have announced the Exmouth Gulf Marine Park. (ABC News: Kelsey Reid)
“A carefully zoned and properly managed marine park will allow us to achieve the proper social, economic and environmental outcomes,” he said.
Mr Cook said 30 per cent of the marine park would be designated as no-catch sanctuary zones, to ensure the long-term health of the gulf’s ecosystems.
The issue of exclusion zones and fishing restrictions has proven controversial in recent years, sparking heated and divisive debate across multiple communities.
“We understand there’s a range of views about proposed marine parks,” Mr Cook said.
“Any opportunity to preserve the environment puts limitations on activity.
“There’s a range of proposals and aspirations for the gulf; I want to see them all accommodated as best we can.”
High rates of coral bleaching and mortality have been recorded in the Exmouth Gulf recently. (Supplied: Blue Media)
‘Whole-of-gulf’ approach
The decision adopts the recommendations of the Exmouth Gulf Taskforce, a coordinating body formed in 2022 to counsel on the area’s conservation.
It delivered a final report to Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn in June.
“The Exmouth Gulf is home to one of the most extraordinary and unique marine ecosystems on the planet and it deserves the very highest level of protection,” Mr Cook said.
“The gulf deserves a whole-of-gulf decision.”
Exmouth Gulf is a 2,600-square-kilometre body of water providing a critical rest stop for migrating humpback whales and their calves, and home to one of Australia’s highest concentrations of dugongs.
It is also a stronghold for threatened shorebirds, sawfish, wedgefish, and sea-snakes.
The Exmouth Gulf is often called a “nursery” for humpback whales on their journey north. (Supplied: Blue Media)
Along the shores of the gulf, Aboriginal materials and cultural sites have been dated back at least 40,000 years.
Baiyungu woman Rachael Cooyou said the marine park commitment was a sign of progress, but there was still work to be done to create a joint-management plan with the recently-established Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation.
She hoped the scheme would help secure the financial future of the land’s traditional owners.
“We would like to see everyone enjoying this country as much as we have,” Ms Cooyou said.
“To see the country through our eyes and to look after [it].”
The state government said it would work with traditional owners on a joint-management plan and consult with fishers over the next 12 to 18 months.
Fishing future to be mapped
Known for its Exmouth tiger prawns, Sea Harvest Australia is the largest commercial fisher in the gulf, having operated for over 60 years.
CEO Danie du Toit said the news was positive overall, and he was not concerned about a negative impact on operations.
Exmouth is major northern WA tourist attraction. (ABC Pilbara: Kelsey Reid)
“We believe that the marine park and a commercial fishery can coexist in the same environment,” he said.
“From our perspective, you know we always take a long-term view – our fishing rights and fishing licenses are our long-term investments, and therefore we believe it’s all about sustainability and protecting the environment.”
Mr Du Toit said he felt the consultation process and industry engagement was thorough, and the company “felt listened to”.
“For us it’s a positive development,” he said.
With little detail on where the 30 per cent sanctuary zone would sit, local fishers took to social media with concerns over the future of recreational fishing in the region.
WA Fishing Industry Council CEO Melissa Haslam said further information was needed.
“Thirty per cent is a lot, and the devil is always in the detail,” Ms Haslam said.
“But, successive environment ministers and the current minister for fisheries have assured us that there will be no impact to commercial fishing — so that’s the promise, that’s certainly the expectation.”Â
The WA environment minister said the government would begin work “immediately” to communicate what the marine parks mean for recreational and commercial fishers.
Mr Swinbourn noted much of the sanctuary zoning was yet to be mapped.
“We’ve made this commitment to protect the Exmouth Gulf now, and then over the next 12 to 18 months, the really detailed work as to where the sanctuary zones sit, where the sensitive areas are, that’ll all happen,” he said.
Increasing pressure
The announcement of the marine park follows one of the most turbulent periods for the Exmouth Gulf and surrounds on record.
An unprecedented marine heatwave gripped thousands of kilometres of WA’s coastline last summer, impacting the north-west atolls, Kimberley, Pilbara, and Gascoyne regions.
Two seagulls watch on from the railing of the jetty at Exmouth. (ABC Pilbara: Kelsey Reid)
The Australian Marine Conservation Society said the park was a welcome announcement.
“It is Ningaloo’s nursery, it is intricately connected with the Ningaloo reef,” ACMS WA director Paul Gamblin said.
“Yet until this marine park announcement, it has been unprotected for far too long.”
But he said reducing carbon emissions remained critical to the area’s long-term protection, and reiterated calls for the Cook government to legislate a specific net-zero target.
High levels of coral bleaching and mortality were observed along the full length of the Ningaloo Reef and in the Exmouth Gulf, while the latter experienced some of the highest water temperatures ever documented in WA.
Friday’s announcement included a further $5 million towards recovery of coastal habitats impacted by the heatwave.