South-east Regional Marine Plan
Implementing Australia's oceans policy in the South-east Marine Region
National Oceans Office, 2004
ISBN 1 8770 4335 4
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- South-east Regional Marine Plan - full document (PDF - 2.17 MB)
- Forward, Summary, Background and detail of the South-east Regional Marine Plan (PDF - 836 KB)
- The way forward (PDF - 711 KB)
- Action plan (PDF - 112 KB)
- Status reports (PDF - 366 KB)
- Appendices (PDF - 362 KB)
Ministerial Forward
The South-east Regional Marine Plan is the first of a kind. Not only is this the first such plan to be developed in Australia’s ocean waters, it is the first to be developed on this scale anywhere in the world.
It represents a major milestone in the Howard Government’s commitment to ecologically sustainable development.
With the world’s greatest area of ocean territory, Australia is a leader in oceans planning and management. This has been the case since the launch of Australia’s Oceans Policy in 1998, the International Year of the Ocean.
The South-east Marine Region makes a vital contribution to Australia’s prosperity, with more than 275,000 Australians employed directly and indirectly in marine industries within the Region, with an annual value of $19 billion.
This economic activity occurs in oceans blessed with bountiful temperate ecosystems, where the majority of species are uniquely Australian. Marine industries and coastal communities depend upon healthy and sustainable ecosystems.
The South-east Regional Marine Plan will shape the future of Australia’s oceans planning and management. Lessons learned in the south-east will inform the already commenced Northern Australian marine plan, and others yet-to-be-announced.
The South-east Regional Marine Plan is the culmination of extensive cooperation and consultation by the National Oceans Office with all stakeholders. In particular, I acknowledge the contribution of the South-east Regional Marine Plan Steering Committee, the National Oceans Advisory Group, the South-east Regional Marine Plan Working Group, and scientists who have been closely involved in the development of the Plan.
The South-east States – Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales – have all played a significant role in the development of the Plan. I look forward to a strengthened partnership with these States in the implementation of the Plan and the integrated management of oceans within our respective jurisdictions.
On behalf of my fellow National Oceans Ministerial Board members, I proudly welcome Australia’s first regional marine plan.
Dr David Kemp,
Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Chair, National Oceans Ministerial Board
On behalf of National Oceans Ministerial Board members:
John Anderson,
Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister for Transport and Regional Services
Senator Ian Macdonald,
Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation
Ian Macfarlane,
Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources
Peter McGauran,
Minister for Science
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