Draft management plan for Shark Bay area released for comment

28/10/98

The public has an opportunity to comment on proposals for conservation lands in the World Heritage listed Shark Bay area following the release of a draft management plan today.

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the conservation areas comprised the Francois Peron National Park, Shell Beach Conservation Park, Zuytdorp Nature Reserve, Bernier and Dorre Islands Nature Reserve and many smaller island nature reserves.

"The draft management plan outlines a range of proposals for a wide range of issues such as land use, conservation of flora, fauna and cultural heritage, recreation and tourism, community involvement, and commercial and other uses of the reserves," Mrs Edwardes said.

"The consultation period, which will run for two months, provides an opportunity for members of the public and special interest groups to make submissions which then can be considered in preparing the final management plan."

The draft was prepared for the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority by the Department of Conservation and Land Management in conjunction with a community advisory committee and with financial assistance from the Commonwealth's World Heritage program.

"The lands and waters of Shark Bay are included in the State's only World Heritage Property," Mrs Edwardes said.

"This listing reflects the area's qualities, such as superlative natural phenomena and features, outstanding examples of features representing the major stages of the earth's evolution, as well as important and significant habitats of threatened wildlife species.

"At the same time, Shark Bay contains some of the State's major tourist attractions such as the dolphins at Monkey Mia, as well as industries including salt production and commercial fishing.

"The area also is the location of Project Eden, which is part of CALM's major wildlife conservation program, Western Shield, responsible for bringing 30 native animals back from the brink of extinction."

The draft plan proposes that emphasis be given to integrate managing the conservation lands with the management of the whole World Heritage area and its values.

Priorities include a detailed flora survey, an assessment of scenic landscape values, a strategic plan for interpreting World Heritage values and a strategy for research, monitoring and evaluating the area's natural values.

Key recommendations include:

Francois Peron National Park: Implement management strategies to protect the gypsum dune formations and to amalgamate areas of the dunes covered by mining leases into the park when the tenements expire.

Continued support for Project Eden and the development of wildlife viewing and fauna exhibits to give visitors an insight into conservation programs for native fauna and flora.

Build a two-wheel-drive vehicle access to the Peron homestead precinct and develop a range of new recreational and tourism opportunities to interpret the former station's pastoral history and promote an understanding of the area's ecosystems and World Heritage values.

Upgrade and rehabilitate popular coastal camping and day use areas to enhance environmental protection, visitor safety and interpretation.

Bernier and Dorre Islands Nature Reserve: Day visits to be allowed on both islands but restrictions placed on overnight recreation.

Other island nature reserves: All the small islands to be reserved as a single nature reserve. The potential impacts of visitors to these islands will be assessed to determine an appropriate level of access to protect sensitive wildlife and habitats.

Zuytdorp Nature Reserve: The reserve will not be promoted for recreation but day use and camping will be permitted along the coastal zone. A concerted effort will be made with neighbouring pastoralists to control environmental damage caused by goats.

Copies of the Shark Bay Terrestrial Reserves draft management plan are available from CALM's offices in Denham, Geraldton and Como.

Media contacts: Ministerial Chris Morris 9321 2222

CALM Sue Hancock 99215955