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About the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Marine and Biodiversity Division
First Assistant Secretary
Donna Petrachenko
(02) 6274 1710
Assistant Secretary
Ian Cresswell
(03) 6208 2922
Assistant Secretary
Tania Rishniw
(02) 6274 2244
Assistant Secretary
Andrew McNee
(02) 6274 1897
Natural Resource Management Policy Branch
Assistant Secretary
Charlie Zammit
(02) 6274 2501
The Marine and Biodiversity Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts provides central coordination and policy advice to the Australian Government on the marine environment, including the implementation and further development of Australia's Oceans Policy.
The Division undertakes programs and advises on marine species conservation, marine protected areas, regional marine planning, national integrated oceans management, marine science research and the promotion and development of Australia's international oceans environmental objectives.
The Division has four branches:
Australia's Oceans Policy aims to achieve healthy oceans: cared for, understood and used wisely for the benefit of all, now and in the future. The Policy addresses the complex issues confronting the long-term future of one of the world's largest Exclusive Economic Zones. It focuses on an integrated and ecosystem-based approach to ensure sustainable development of Australia's marine resources. The Policy is being implemented through a whole-of government approach.
The National Oceans Office is a branch of the Marine and Biodiversity Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, and is based in Hobart. The branch has responsibility for the development of marine bioregional plans in two Australian marine regions - the North-west and South-west, as well as leading the ongoing implementation of the South-east Regional Marine Plan.
The National Oceans Office branch also houses an Information Management Science and Reporting Section, which provides strategic advice on a range of science and information projects that contribute to the understanding of Australian ocean territory. The Science, Information Management and Reporting Section works across the Marine Division, providing an information base to support the development of marine bioregional plans throughout Australia's marine jurisdiction.
The National Oceans Office also houses the Marine Economics Section, which is responsible for collection of socio-economic data to support marine bioregional plan development.
The Marine Conservation Branch is a part of the Marine and Biodiversity Division within the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, and is based in Canberra. The branch has responsibilities for Marine Bioregional Planning in the North and East Marine Bioregions, management of 25 Commonwealth Marine Reserves and structural adjustment for businesses affected by the rezoning and declaration of marine parks and reserves.
The Marine Environment Branch undertakes activities at regional, national and international levels on a range of issues, including responsibility for protected and migratory marine species and managing Australia's obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Marine International Section promotes and develops Australia's international oceans environmental objectives through a range of international fora, such as:
The Migratory and Marine Biodiversity Section has responsibility for statutory, policy and program issues relating to all migratory species (marine and avian), protected marine species (other than cetaceans and albatross), marine debris and invasive marine pests. Issues are addressed at national, regional and international levels through activities such as developing and implementing recovery plans for threatened marine species, contributing to and implementing the National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions, providing regional leadership for the protection of migratory waterbirds in the East Asian - Australasian Flyway, representing DEH on fisheries-protected species interaction bodies (e.g. the National Seal Strategy Group), and implementing appropriate conservation arrangements for migratory species with other range states for such species (e.g. the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian MOU for Sea Turtles). The section also coordinates the national bird and bat banding scheme.
Key international activities are delivered through active engagement in a range of bilateral arrangements (Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement [JAMBA]; China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement [CAMBA]) and regional arrangements (Indian Ocean and South East Asian MOU for Marine Turtles; East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partnership).
The Natural Resource Management Policy Branch advises on national resource management policies and implements national programmes aimed at improving the management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity. The Branch also coordinates the Australian Government position and involvement in international conventions on biological diversity and combating desertification. The Branch manages the Secretariats to the Biological Diversity Advisory Committee, the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum, and several subsidiary NRMMC Australian government/state task groups relevant to the Branch's policy areas. The Branch also manages the portfolio's particpation in the National Land and Water Resources Audit.
The responsibilities of the Branch include the following: