New marine park proposed
A new marine park spanning the entire Exmouth Gulf in WA’s north west will be established to conserve and protect this globally significant marine habitat.
The Gulf is an important habitat for nursing humpback whales and their calves, one of the world’s largest populations of dugongs, Australian humpback dolphins and four species of marine turtles. It is a global hotspot for threatened sawfish and wedgefish, and home to at least 11 species of sea snakes, including two species previously thought to be extinct.
The Exmouth Gulf coast is also an internationally significant area for several migratory shorebird species and contains unique subterranean fauna found nowhere else in the world.
The area contains important Aboriginal culture and heritage, including materials and sites that have been dated to be at least 40,000 years old.
The Gulf has globally significant ecological values and is also an important hub for defence, tourism and industry, including commercial and recreational fishing.
To ensure the long-term health of the Gulf’s ecosystems, the WA Government proposes that at least 30 per cent of the marine park will be designated as no-catch sanctuary zones.
The proposed park will be jointly vested between the Conservation and Parks Commission and the Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation (NTGAC) and jointly managed by NTGAC and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
