Proposed marine parks for Montebello/Barrow Islands

17/2/04
The State Government today reached a further milestone in its initiative to create a world-class conservation reserve system in the State's marine environment.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards released an indicative management plan for the Montebello/Barrow islands - which includes two new marine parks and a marine management area.
Releasing the plan for public comment, Dr Edwards said the creation of three new marine conservation reserves would be a significant achievement for the State.
"The plan will help achieve a balance between conservation and sustainable use and will be a future model for achieving integrated marine ecosystem-based management in areas of high conservation value and intense commercial and recreational use," she said.
"The waters surrounding the Montebello/Barrow islands support important coral reefs and unique mangrove communities and a diverse tropical fauna including significant nesting areas for marine turtles.
"The region is also important for petroleum production and other marine-based activities including tourism, pearling, recreational fishing and commercial fishing."
Dr Edwards said the development of the plan relied on extensive involvement of the community and the petroleum industry.
"I commend the positive way that all stakeholders engaged in developing constructive solutions to difficult issues that were raised during the planning process," she said.
"A crucial part of the proposal has been the involvement of a community-based advisory committee, which has held numerous meetings to discuss issues such as the boundaries, purpose and zoning of the proposed reserves.
"The major interest groups, such as the petroleum industry and those representing commercial fishing, tourism, pearling, recreational fishing and conservation, participated via sector reference groups and I commend their involvement.
"The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has also conducted a broad based public participation program to facilitate wider community input into the proposal."
The proposed reserves cover about 212,000ha and include two marine parks and the State's first marine management area.
These are the Montebello Islands Marine Park (59,000ha), the Barrow Island Marine Park on the western side of the Island (4,500ha) and the Barrow Island Marine Management Area (148,500ha).
A marine management area is an area which has high conservation value but where industry operations such as petroleum exploration and production are major uses. It is one of the three reserve categories under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, along with marine parks and marine nature reserves.
Dr Edwards said the main strategies recommended for management of the proposed reserves included education, surveillance and enforcement, research, monitoring, public participation and zoning for conservation, recreation and commercial uses.
"The plan recommends sanctuary zones for 52 per cent of the proposed Montebello Islands Marine Park and for 94 per cent of the proposed Barrow Island Marine Park," she said.
"High protection areas are also proposed for approximately 14 per cent of the Barrow Island Marine Management Area to provide increased protection to marine flora and fauna, and migratory birds."
The Minister said the creation of the marine conservation reserves was an important step in ensuring the long-term protection of the marine biodiversity of the area.
"This is a significant step forward in establishing a world-class system of marine conservation reserves along Western Australia's coastline," she said.
"I strongly encourage the community to comment on the proposal."
CALM is seeking public comment on the indicative management plan until May 24. Copies are available from the offices in Kensington, Fremantle and Karratha and on CALM's NatureBase website at http://www.naturebase.net
Minister's office: 9220 5050