Marine Bioregional Planning in the South-west
Click on an area of the map for more information.
Source: ERIN
The South-west Marine Bioregional Profile - Stage 1
The South-west Bioregional Profile has been released. The Profile is the first major milestone for the South-west Marine Bioregional Plan. This planning process is being carried out under Section 176 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). There are three key milestones in the creation of the Bioregional Plan: the Bioregional Profile, the Draft Marine Bioregional Plan and the final Marine Bioregional Plan.
Marine bioregional planning is being undertaken to better protect marine environments, conserve biodiversity and deliver greater certainty to industry, the wider community and decision-makers about the marine conservation priorities of the Australian Government in each marine region. Although marine bioregional planning is an Australian Government programme undertaken under Commonwealth legislation in Commonwealth waters, the planning process occurs in consultation with state governments. This is important because the governments of Western Australia and South Australia are also undertaking marine planning and processes to establish marine protected areas in state waters.
The South-west Marine Bioregional Profile shines a spotlight on the region where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, showing us its unique natural features and the way we use and enjoy them.
The Profile establishes the information-base upon which the South-west Marine Bioregional Plan will be developed. In particular, it focuses on the natural assets of the South-west Marine Region, describes its ecological characteristics, outlines its conservation values and explains how new Marine Protected Areas will be identified. Additionally, it provides a broad description of the human activities that take place in the Region. More information about the South-west Marine Bioregional Profile.
The Draft Marine Bioregional Plan - Stage 2
The second stage of the planning process will involve identifying conservation priorities and actions for the Region, including by examining threats to conservation values and key ecological features.
The Draft Plan will also include proposals for a regional network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) developed in accordance with the Australian Government national goals and principles for MPA development. Part of the process will include looking at the socioeconomic implications of conservation action.
The Draft Plan will take approximately 12 months to develop following release of the Profile. Stakeholder representatives will be consulted during this period on key issues and proposals for action.
The Draft Plan will then be released for public comment, giving the public the opportunity to provide their input during a formal statutory consultation period in accordance with the regulations.
The final Marine Bioregional Plan - Stage 3
Following the public consultation period on the draft plan, the Australian Government will consider issues raised and finalise the plan. Social and economic issues will be addressed during this phase. At this stage the regional MPA network, including the location, size and zoning of individual MPAs, will be decided.
Implementation and review - Stage 4
Once it is finalised, the Minister for the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts must consider the South-west Marine Bioregional Plan when making decisions affecting the Region, that fall under the jurisdiction of the EPBC Act.
At this stage an implementation strategy will be put in place and the formal legal processes to declare an MPA network in the Region will commence. The Plan will then be reviewed from time to time, in light of new information and needs.
More information
Download the brochure about the South-west Marine Region and the process for developing the South-west Marine Bioregional Plan.
- South-west Marine Region - The Region covers the ocean waters that are managed by the Australian Government, from the eastern tip of Kangaroo Island off the South Australian coast to waters off Shark Bay, Western Australia.
- Bioregional Profile The Bioregional Profile describes the environmental and socio-economic characteristics of the South-west Marine Region.
- South-west Marine Atlas - Maps of the provincial bioregions of the South-west Marine Region, from the Bioregional Profile.
- Key ecological features - A number of ecological features are of conservation value because of the role they play in the marine environment of the Region.
- Establishing new Marine Protected Areas - A key component of the Marine Bioregional Planning process is the development of a network of Marine Protected Areas.
- Background reports - The Bioregional Profile summarises information detailed in a number of reports produced for marine bioregional planning in this Region.
- Comments - The Australian Government is committed to seeking your input during the planning process.
What's new
Quick links
- Species profile and Threats Database
- EPBC Act
- IMCRA
- NRSMPA
- Marine Protected Areas and Displaced Fishing
- Threatened Species and Ecological Communities
- Listed migratory species
- List of marine species
- Cetaceans
- The Great Australian Bight Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
- Historic shipwrecks
- WA Marine Reserve System
- SA Marine Planning
See also
Key
Links to another web site
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