Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
Management
Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) was declared on 7 May 1987 for the purposes of conservation, protection of marine wildlife and habitats, recreation, education, scientific research and to create a buffer zone for the state component of Ningaloo Marine Park. The reserve is assigned the IUCN category II - National Park, which means that it is a protected area managed mainly for ecosystem conservation and recreation.
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 Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) commenced on 3 July 2009 following the expiry of the most recent management plan for the reserve. These interim management arrangements are consistent with the most recent management plan for the reserve, with the exception of the rules that apply to recreational fishing.
Under the interim management arrangements, visitors to Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) 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
Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) is protected and managed to conserve its natural condition according the following objectives:
- Provide for the preservation of the marine environment and key ecological processes of the reserve;
- Manage scientific, educational, recreational and tourism activities to maintain the natural state of the reserve;
- Promote education, nature appreciation and scientific research on the biological, geophysical and cultural values of the reserve; and
- Encourage and regulate the appropriate use of the reserve.
Management activities
DEWHA has close working relationships with the Western Australian Departments of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and Fisheries (DoF). Under a service level agreement, DEC and DoF undertake day to day management activities in the reserve on behalf of DEWHA.
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)