Coasts and oceans

Marine Bioregional Planning

Marine Bioregional Planning in the North-west

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The area

The North-west Marine Region encompasses Commonwealth waters between the Western Australian/Northern Territory border to Kalbarri, south of Shark Bay, an area of some 1.07 million square kilometres.

Map of the North-west Marine Region

Source: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

Bioregions

To assist in the development of Marine Bioregional Planning in Australia, our oceans have been divided into 41 provincial bioregions. Provincial bioregions are large biogeographical areas defined by similar ecological characteristics. The North-west Marine Region includes 8 provincial bioregional units under the Integrated Coastal and Marine Regionalisation of Australia (IMCRAv.4).

Marine Bioregional Planning in Australia

Source: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

Ecological features

A unique combination of biophysical features and ecological processes differentiates the North-west Marine Region from other marine regions around Australia, specifically:

Marine Protected Areas in the North-west

A key outcome of marine bioregional planning will be the identification of marine protected areas (MPAs) as part of the National Representative System of MPAs. There are four existing MPAs in the North-west Marine Region:

Name of reserve Date Declared Area km2
Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth waters) 1987 5,076
Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve 1991 5.4
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve 1983 583
Cartier Island Marine Reserve 2000 167

The process for identifying additional MPAs in the North-west Marine Region is outlined in more detail in the North-west Bioregional Profile as goals and principles for the development of the regional MPA network. Specific proposals for new MPAs will be developed during the subsequent planning stages and will be informed by consultation with stakeholders. Draft proposals for a network of MPAs, along with analysis of the social and economic impact of all proposals, will be published in the Draft Plan and then be subject to formal consultation and more detailed socio-economic analysis.

Development of the North-west Marine Bioregional Plan

Marine bioregional planning involves three key phases:

The North-west Bioregional Profile was released in October 2008. The draft North-west Marine Bioregional Plan is scheduled for release in October/November 2009. The Department is committed to targeted and effective stakeholder consultation throughout the planning process.

Whale shark. Photo by Glen Cowans

Key

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