Marine Protected Areas
Australian government officers at Ashmore Reef.
The second management plan for Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve management plan came into force on 26 June 2002. The reserve protects one of Australia's most remote reef systems. The reserve provides critical stepping stones for the transportation of biological material from the rich reefs of Asia to the reef systems located along the Western Australian coast. Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve is assigned by this plan to IUCN category Ia — strict nature reserve.
Due to its remoteness, Ashmore Reef receives very few visitors other than traditional Indonesian fishing vessels, recreational yachts, and Australian government vessels such as Royal Australian Navy and Australian Customs vessels. Most of the Reserve is closed to public access however limited access is permitted to the main lagoon and to a small part of West Island. Commercial operators must apply to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for an access permit.
The Australian Customs Service provides day-to-day on-site management of Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve. They are contracted to keep a fully-crewed boat stationed at Ashmore for most of the year. The crew undertake monitoring and maintenance duties throughout the Reserve and oversee visitor access. Cooperative arrangements with other government agencies complement the tasks performed by Australian Customs Service and combine to produce a whole of government approach to the management of the entire region. The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts works closely with agencies such as:
Working with other agencies to manage Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve.