South-west Marine Region
The South-west Marine Region is extensive and diverse, covering some 1.3 million square kilometres of both temperate and subtropical waters. It extends offshore from the eastern end of Kangaroo Island in South Australia to Shark Bay in Western Australia - adjacent to the longest coastline in the world facing the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
About the South-west Marine Region
About the region
Staying up to date
About the South-west Marine Region
The South-west Marine Region stretches from the eastern end of Kangaroo Island in South Australia to Shark Bay in Western Australia. It covers only Commonwealth waters - the area of Australian jurisdiction that starts outside Western Australian and South Australian waters (usually 3 nautical miles from the coast) and extends to the outer limits of Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone some 200 nautical miles from the shore.
By global standards, the South-west Marine Region is an area of high biodiversity and home to many endemic species. The marine region is characterised by a mix of tropical, subtropical and temperate species. Temperate species dominate the southern and eastern parts of the region while tropical species are more common in the north of the region. The marine region also contains the deepest area of ocean within Australian waters - the Diamantina Fracture Zone south of Cape Leeuwin - which reaches depths of nearly 6 kilometres.
The Leeuwin Current has a significant impact on the ecology of the South-west Marine Region transporting warm tropical water southward along the continental shelf, and eastward, all the way across to the north western tip and down the west coast of Tasmania. The Flinders Current and seasonal currents also have strong influences on the region's environment.
Map of the South-west Marine Region
Source: ERIN
Background
The South-west Marine Bioregional Profile, released in October 2007, was the starting point for developing a Marine Bioregional Plan for the South-west Marine Region. The Profile brings together, for the first time, the best available information on the marine environment of the region. It focuses on natural assets, and it describes the ecological characteristics, conservation values, and the human activities that take place in the region. The Profile also explains how new marine reserves will be identified. A number of information resources were developed to prepare the South-west Bioregional Profile.
In May 2009, Areas for Further Assessment were identified in the South-west Marine Region. Areas for Further Assessment are large marine areas which encompass a wide range of habitats, features and conservation values. Areas for Further Assessment are not the proposed boundaries for new marine reserves. They are areas that were identified to aid detailed analysis of information and assist in the design of new marine reserves.
A draft Marine Bioregional Plan and Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal for the South-west Marine Region were released in May 2011 for a 90 day public consultation period which closed on 8 August 2011.
A range of documents and information resources were developed which supported the public consultation period.
Submissions received are currently being considered, and the draft Plan and Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal may be altered in response to information provided through the formal consultation period. Public submissions will be made available on this website, unless the department agrees to an author's specific request for their submission to remain confidential.
Contact
The Director
South-west Marine Region, Marine Division
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Edgar Waite Building
203 Channel Highway
Kingston TAS 7050
or
Email: Southwest.MarinePlan@environment.gov.au
About marine bioregional planning
Marine bioregional planning is being implemented in five large marine regions.