Jurien Bay Marine Park - a jewel on the Turquoise Coast

31/8/03
Western Australia's newest marine park was officially celebrated today with the dedication of the Jurien Bay Marine Park.
The new park, that encompasses the waters of the Turquoise Coast for 100km between Wedge Island and Green Head, is the first marine park declared in Western Australia since 1990.
Premier Geoff Gallop today said the creation of the park was the first step in meeting the Government's commitment to create five new marine parks by 2005.
"The Government is committed to protecting our environment for future generations - both on the land and off the coast - and the Jurien Bay Marine Park is a key part of our plan to establish a comprehensive marine reserve network around the State," Dr Gallop said.
"We have some 13,500km of coastline but relatively little of our marine area is actively managed for conservation.
"That is why the State Government is committed to sustainable marine management that establishes a truly representative marine conservation network, while balancing the recreational needs of the community and opportunities for marine-based industries."
The Government's ambitious marine park program includes new reserves in the Pilbara, in the waters off the Leeuwin-Naturaliste coastline from Geographe Bay to Hardy Inlet and in the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets on the State's south coast, as well as extensions to the Ningaloo Marine Park.
Dr Gallop said the creation of the Jurien Bay Marine Park, together with associated features such as Nambung National Park and its internationally-renowned Pinnacles, the Lesueur National Park, with its incredibly rich plant diversity and the offshore islands, meant the central coast would have a range of attractions that could deliver greater economic and social benefits for the region.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards said the waters of the new park were a treasure trove of marine biodiversity. The islands provided important habitat for sea lions and seabirds, while the waters represented a transition zone between the tropical north and temperate south.
"The limestone reefs are a diver's delight with their grottos and caves and a range of colourful sponges while the extensive seagrass meadows provide shelter and habitat for a wide variety of marine life," Dr Edwards said.
The Minister said the State Government was providing an additional $430,000 for marine conservation initiatives for Jurien Bay and Ningaloo marine parks this year and a further $2.36million over the following three years.
Dr Edwards and Fisheries Minister Kim Chance said the State Government was very aware that some recreational fishing and voluntary conservation movement interests had reservations concerning the management zones in the new park.
The Ministers announced three specific initiatives to address the concerns that had been raised by the Conservation Council and Recfishwest.
"First, a working group is being set up to consider the proposal for a recreation zone off the Jurien townsite," they said.
"This working group will provide advice on potential sites for a recreation zone.
"The working group will include people with backgrounds in the Jurien community, recreational and commercial fishing and conservation interests. The group will be required to report to the Environment Minister, through the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority, by March next year.
"The second initiative involves a program of research and monitoring of the ecological impacts of rock lobster fishing in the Marine Park.
"This program will be overseen by a steering committee that will include senior scientific staff from relevant agencies, as well as representatives of commercial and recreational fishing groups, the voluntary conservation movement and local government.
"When the research results are available, they will be used to assist in a review of the park's zoning scheme. The review will occur through the management planning process, with full public consultation.
"Thirdly, the Department of Conservation and Land Management will be offering funding for a doctoral research project through a Western Australian university to address the design and effectiveness of sanctuary zones in the State's marine parks and reserves."
Dr Edwards said a community-based advisory committee also would be formed to ensure that the local community could actively participate in the management of the park.
Premier's office 9222 9475
Minister Edwards' office 9220 5050
Minister Chance's office 9213 6700