The Senate has today endorsed the Turnbull Government's world-leading marine park management plans, securing the future of these incredible marine habitats for generations to come.
Today's important decision delivers certainty for all marine park users and confirms the protection of 2.3 million square kilometres of Australia's oceans which were never previously protected.
This brings all 60 Australian marine parks under protection – the second largest system of protected marine habitats in the world.
The plans strike the right balance between conservation, recreation and economic development and are based on a balanced, scientific and evidence-based approach to marine park management.
They were informed by extensive consultation including an independent review, numerous public forums and more than 130,000 written submissions.
The Australian Marine Parks management plans have been in effect since 1 July 2018, with people enjoying and using our marine parks as intended under the plans.
The plans deliver protection of our natural assets for future generations, while providing certainty and stability for those local communities whose jobs and livelihoods depend on our unique marine environment.
For the next ten years, these management plans will provide assurance for all marine park users around a range of conservation, economic and social activities and create opportunities for research, tourism and sustainable fishing.
Supporting the management of these marine parks for all Australians includes:
establishing advisory committees to guide protection of our unique marine environment for local and regional communities;
delivering assistance to affected commercial fishers to transition their business to the new operating environment;
grants to help marine users including recreational fishers as well as industries engage in marine park management; and
incentives to encourage uptake of vessel monitoring systems.
Further information about Australian Marine Parks is available at parksaustralia.gov.au/marine