Coasts and marine
Marine Bioregional Planning
Australia's marine bioregional planning program is designed to provide a clearer focus on conservation and sustainable management of Australia's marine environment. It is a process that is underpinned by the principles of ecologically sustainable development and it takes an ecosystem approach in managing Australia's marine biodiversity and environment.
Marine bioregional planning is currently being implemented in five marine bioregional planning regions - the South-west, North-west, North, East and South-east Marine Regions.
The Coral Sea Conservation Zone was established in May 2009 and provides interim protection to the area while it is being assessed for possible inclusion in one or more Commonwealth marine reserves through the marine bioregional planning process.
Montara oil spill
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is responsible for ensuring the implementation of a plan of action to help any wildlife that might be affected by the Montara oil spill in Commonwealth waters and to respond to any possible impacts in Commonwealth marine reserves in the region.
A long-term scientific environmental monitoring program has been agreed between the Australian Government and the company responsible for the rig, PTTEP Australasia.
Latest news and events
January 2010
December 2009
- West Coast Deep Sea Crab Interim Managed Fishery - invitation for comment closes 1 February 2010
- Victorian Giant Crab Fishery - invitation for comment closes 1 February 2010
- South Australian Giant Crab Fishery - invitation for comment closes 1 February 2010
- Three sharks listed as migratory species under the EPBC Act
On 29 January 2010 the porbeagle, longfin mako and shortfin mako sharks will be listed as migratory species under national environmental law.
November 2009
- South Australian Seahorse Marine Services - Call for comment closes 7 January 2010
- Better protection for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Broome Prawn Managed Fishery, Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery and the Onslow and Nickol Bay Prawn Managed Fishery - Call for comment closes 15 December 2009
October 2009
- PQ Aquatics Fishery - Call for comment closes 04 December 2009
- East Marine Region Bioregional Plan - six months extension
September 2009
- Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report
- Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2009
- Government response - Maintaining a healthy and resilient Great Barrier Reef
- Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery - Call for comment closes 11 November 2009
- Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery - Call for comment closes 23 October 2009
- Southern and Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery - Call for comment closes 23 October 2009
- Reef Water Quality Protection Plan
August 2009
- Tasmanian Freshwater Eel Fishery - Call for comment closes Monday 14 September 2009
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