What's new

2006 Review of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 update
13 New Marine Reserves in the South-east
Declaration of the Cod Grounds
Minister announces new protected zones
Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Management Plan
Marine Protected Areas screensaver
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act Review

MPA Video

Take a tour of Australia's Marine Protected Areas with this video introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.

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Commonwealth marine protected areas

The Australian Government manages an estate of marine protected areas (MPA) that are Commonwealth reserves under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network declared. Some types of commercial fishing and other commercial activities are allowed in some parts of the network under an approval from the Director of National Parks. Register your commercial fishery operation online.

Current marine protected areas of Australia

Map of Australian Marine Protected Areas managed by the Commonwealth Government

Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve
Cartier Island Marine Reserve
Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve and
Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve (Coral Sea Island Territory)
Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve
Great Australian Bight Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve
Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
Macquarie Island Marine Park
Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve
Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters)
South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network