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Marine Protected Areas
Coastwatch surveillance over Mermaid Reef. Photo: Naomi Wolfe
Mermaid Reef was declared a Marine National Nature Reserve by the Commonwealth Government on 21 March 1991 to order to protect its diverse marine life and virtually pristine coral formations. On 17 May 2000 the Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve Plan of Management came into effect. The reserve is assigned by this plan to IUCN category Ia - strict nature reserve. This management plan expired on 16 May 2007.
A draft management plan will be released for public comment in 2008. Until the new plan takes effect, the reserve will be managed in a manner consistent with its strict nature reserve classification, under Approvals issued by the Director of National Parks.
Mermaid Reef is one of a group of reef systems known as the Rowley Shoals, located off the coast of north-western Australia. The three reefs of the Rowley Shoals have been described as the most perfect examples of shelf-edge reefs occurring in Australian waters. Each reef includes spectacular and unusual underwater topography and life forms that have attracted recreational divers from all over the world.
Mermaid Reef and the other two reefs of the Rowley Shoals have been listed on the Register of the National Estate, and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has included Rowley Shoals in its list of coral reefs of international significance.
Blue-spotted fantail stingray, Mermaid Reef. Photo: Naomi Wolfe
Mermaid Reef is managed under a cooperative arrangement by Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, and the Western Australian Department of Fisheries. The Department of Environment and Conservation also manages the nearby Rowley Shoals Marine Park that includes Clerke Reef and Imperieuse Reef.
Commercial charter tours can take place in Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve however tour operators must:
Independent visitors do not need an Approval to visit Mermaid Reef, however they must:
Tour operators and independent visitors should be aware that the following activities in Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve are prohibited:
A shipwreck, located on the western side of Mermaid Reef, is protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 as being of historic significance. It is an offence for any person to damage, interfere with, dispose of or remove any part of the historic shipwreck without a permit.