Cottesloe Reef System declared a Fish Habitat Protection Area

22/9/01

Fisheries Minister Kim Chance today declared the Cottesloe Reef System a Fish Habitat Protection Area (FHPA) in recognition of its significant but fragile eco-system.
Mr Chance said the reef system, which extends approximately 4.5km along the coast, was a rich and diverse marine habitat for a vast array of aquatic life that had become vulnerable to human impacts due to its close proximity to shore.
"Cottesloe Beach is a Western Australian icon that attracts many local, interstate and overseas visitors. The reef system just off-shore not only makes it readily accessible to the general public, but extremely vulnerable to heavy user impacts," he said.
The Cottesloe Reef FHPA will be the third significant marine area to be given this level of protection after the Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Geraldton and Lancelin Island Lagoon.
The FHPA declaration aims to promote and encourage protection of the vulnerable eco-system and provide a framework to involve the community in its management.
"It is important that future human activity on Cottesloe Reef is carefully managed so its conservation, recreational, scientific, cultural, historical, Aboriginal heritage and tourism values are maintained in a long-term, environmentally sustainable manner," Mr Chance said.
The protected area is from North Street to 300m south of the artificial surfing reef at Cable beach and seaward 800m from the high water mark.
The Minister said the Cottesloe Reef FHPA was a community-driven proposal by the Cottesloe Marine Protection Group (CPMG), formed in 1998 by a group of local snorkellers and beach users.
The group was concerned about the depletion of marine life and degradation of the reefs by activities like spear fishing, the collection of coral and the discharge of nutrient-rich stormwater.
"The role played by the CMPG in this outcome is significant and I congratulate the group for their hard work in achieving protection of this vulnerable marine eco-system," Mr Chance said.
The Minister said the reef was composed of limestone outcrops, seagrasses, kelp beds and sponge gardens and was shelter to fish, shellfish, crustaceans, sea dragons and stingrays, providing a valuable fish habitat.
"The reef system is also a recognised nursery area for Port Jackson sharks and a squid habitat and breeding ground," he said.
"It is a living laboratory and once the marine biodiversity is given the chance to regenerate, it has the potential to become an attractive eco-tourist destination."
Mr Chance said the high degree of community support for Cottesloe Reef during the consultation and planning phases would be critical during implementation of the management strategies.
The strategies would ensure protection of Cottesloe Reef through:

• a ban on commercial fishing, spearfishing and aquaculture;

• a ban on collecting marine organisms, such as coral, live rock, shells or crustaceans;

• installation of four public environmentally sensitive boat moorings;

• co-ordination of a long-term water quality and catchment management plan; and

• promotion of non-invasive recreational activities like snorkelling, diving and underwater photography.

Mr Chance said the efforts by the CMPG over the past two years to educate beach users and the general community of the natural heritage and conservation values of Cottesloe Reef would contribute significantly to the public acceptance of the management plan.
"The CMPG has raised public awareness of the reef system and this has developed an important sense of community stewardship which will empower the community to protect and care for this wonderful marine environment," he said.
Media contact: Mike Marren on 9213 6700