The Australian Government has commenced consultation on the future management of 44 Australian Marine Parks, including parks within the South-west and North-west Marine Parks Networks relevant to Western Australian commercial fisheries.
Six new management plans will be prepared, replacing five existing plans that expire in 2028.
The review covers the North, North-west, South-west and Temperate East Marine Parks Networks and the Coral Sea Marine Park, with a separate management plan proposed for Norfolk Marine Park.
This is the first of two public consultation periods. Feedback received now will help inform the development of draft management plans, which are expected to be released for further consultation in 2027.
The Australian Government has also linked the review to its commitment to protect 30 per cent of Australia’s ocean in highly protected IUCN Ia and II zoning by 2030.
At this stage the Government has not proposed specific zoning changes for the South-west or North-west Marine Parks Networks.
National industry coordination
Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) has been appointed to help coordinate whole-of-industry input into the 2028 Australian Marine Parks Review, with Australian Government funding supporting industry consultation and evidence gathering.
SIA, together with the Commonwealth Fisheries Association and its research partner Blue Economy CRC, is engaging directly with the Australian Government and Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt.
SIA has also established a Marine Park Review Committee and will coordinate national industry consultation, evidence gathering and the development of an industry submission.
WAFIC will work closely with SIA to ensure the specific interests and impacts of Western Australian commercial fisheries are properly represented through that national process.
Have your say
The current public consultation closes at 4pm AEST on 30 September 2026.
Industry members can make their own submissions directly to the Australian Government, and WAFIC encourages affected fisheries and licence holders to participate.
WAFIC is also seeking information from WA commercial fishers to help build a clear picture of the potential impacts on our industry and support the coordinated national response being led by SIA.
If your fishery operates within or near Commonwealth marine parks in the South-west or North-west networks, please contact Manue Daniels at [email protected] and provide any information you can on:
- where you currently fish in or near the marine parks;
- whether existing zoning already affects your fishing operations;
- areas you cannot afford to lose access to;
- the likely impact of any further closures;
- displacement, additional steaming or fuel costs, impacts on catch or business viability; and
- any evidence or examples that may help demonstrate the impact.
WAFIC will continue to keep industry informed as the review progresses and provide further opportunities to contribute when draft management plans are released.
Draft management plans are expected to be shared in mid-2027.
You can find out more here.
The public comment period is now open and will close 4pm AEST 30 September 2026.
Submissions can be made through the Department’s Have Your Say platform:
Proposal to prepare six draft management plans for 44 Australian Marine Parks
Proposal to proclaim changes to Norfolk, Lord Howe and Gifford Marine Parks
Hard copy submissions are also detailed on the department’s website and in the proclamation proposal documents.
If you have any questions about the comment period, please contact our team at [email protected].