Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and Cartier Island Marine Reserve
Lion fish
Source: Maria Beger, James Cook University
Management
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve (Ashmore) was declared on 16 August 1983 to protect its representative marine ecosystems and to facilitate scientific research. The majority of Ashmore is assigned the IUCN category Ia - Strict Nature Reserve, which means that it is a protected area managed mainly for scientific research or environmental monitoring. A small part of Ashmore, comprising West Island Lagoon and part of West Island, is assigned the IUCN category II - National Park - a protected area managed mainly for ecosystem conservation and recreation.
Cartier Island Marine Reserve (Cartier) was declared on 21 June 2000 to protect the area in its natural condition. Cartier is also classed as IUCN category Ia - Strict Nature Reserve. Cartier is managed to maintain its natural ecological processes and systems and to protect its habitats and biodiversity from the pressures associated with human use.
The Director of National Parks is responsible for managing all Commonwealth reserves including marine protected areas as specified by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Director has delegated authority under the EPBC Act and its Regulations to specific members of the Marine Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA).
Interim management arrangements
Interim management arrangements under the EPBC Act for Ashmore and Cartier commenced on 26 June 2009 following the expiry of the most recent management plan for the reserves. These interim management arrangements are consistent with the most recent management plans for the reserves.
Under the interim management arrangements, visitors to Ashmore and Cartier will require authorisation to conduct certain activities from the Director of National Parks. These arrangements will remain in place until a new management plan is finalised at the conclusion of the marine bioregional planning process for the north west marine region.
Strategic objectives
Ashmore and Cartier are protected and managed to preserve their natural condition according to the following objectives:
- Protect the high conservation values in the marine and terrestrial environments of Ashmore and Cartier, including objects and sites of biological, historical, palaeontological, archaeological, geological and geographical interest;
- Manage Ashmore and Cartier primarily for scientific research and monitoring purposes with public access limited;
- Protect Ashmore and Cartier against damage from human activities; and
- Encourage and regulate the appropriate use of Ashmore and Cartier.
Management activities
DEWHA has a close working relationship with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Customs). Customs undertake day to day on-site management actions at the reserves. The Customs vessel Ashmore Guardian maintains a near permanent presence at Ashmore with regular patrols to Cartier. Customs officers undertake monitoring and maintenance duties at the reserves and oversee visitor access on DEWHA's behalf. Cooperative arrangements with other government agencies complement the tasks performed by Customs and combine to produce a whole of government approach to the management of the entire region. DEWHA works closely with other Australian Government agencies including:
- Department of Defence
- Australian Fisheries Management Authority
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
- Department of Immigration and Citizenship
See also
Also in this section
Existing Commonwealth reserves under the EPBC Act
Marine protected areas
Temperate East Marine Region
- Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve
- Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters)
- Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
- Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Coral Sea
- Coral Sea Conservation Zone
- Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve
- Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve
North-west Marine Region
- Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve
and
Cartier Island Marine Reserve - Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve
- Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)