History of human use in the South-east marine region of Australia

Indigenous people settled in the South-east Marine region many thousands of years ago, often utilising the rich ocean resources of the South-east. Over that time sea levels rose and fell, at times exposing Bass Strait and creating a land bridge to Tasmania. Approximately 13,000 year ago rising sea levels drowned the land bridge making Tasmania an island and isolating people, plants and animals.

Matthew Flinders and George Bass sailed their ship, the Norfolk, through Bass Strait and around Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania) in 1798 and were the first to establish that Van Dieman's Land was an island. This would be their last voyage together due to the mysterious disappearance of Bass during a voyage to South America.

The advent of European fisheries in the Region, which began soon after the exploration of Bass Strait, led to a much higher demand on marine resources. The first commercial ventures focused on harvesting the abundant whales and seals of the Region. In 1810 sealers landed on Macquarie Island and within 18 months 120 000 seal skins had been returned to Sydney. The sealing industry rapidly expanded throughout Bass Strait however began to decline in 1825.

The Davidson Whaling Station near Eden, New South Wales, is considered by some to be the first industrial complex in Australia. It began operation in 1828. Whales were hunted primarily for whale oil, an important fuel at the time. Other whaling stations were set up in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia. Over-exploitation resulted in whaling decline, although it continued well into the twentieth century.

The waters of the region were the first impression of a new home for many people who immigrated to south eastern Australia during the first one hundred years of settlement. Wild weather conditions often welcomed newcomers on their final leg of the long journey from Britain. Many ships were wrecked and lives lost when boats were pounded into the rugged coastline by the sometimes treacherous sea conditions.

After the Second World War rapid advances in technology allowed for consistent deepwater commercial fishing. Today there are over 30 fisheries operating in the South-east Marine Region, fishing for some of the world's most prized seafood, such as blue fin tuna, abalone and rock lobster. The Region provides much of the table fish for the large population centres of south-eastern Australia.

The Region has been significant for Australia's international and coastal shipping since the early days of settlement. Today 40% of Australia's coastal trade is either from the Region or has traveled to, or through, the Region. Cargo shipping accounts for over 9000 ship movements a year. In the 1950s commercial oil and gas exploration began, and identified four major basins in the Region: the Gippsland, Sorrell, Otway and Bass basins. Extraction is currently only being undertaken in the Gippsland Basin, although it is likely to begin in the Otway Basin in the near future. More recently industries such as tourism, telecommunications and aquaculture have rapidly expanded. Biotechnology and renewable energy sources are also emerging as potentially significant industries.

Indigenous communities of the South-east Marine Region continue to have a strong cultural and spiritual connection to the ocean, and to use ocean resources for food, traditional purposes and income.