Nowadays, Kimberley Marine Park has become a widely discussed topic of interest to both experts and the general public. From its origins to its impact on today's society, Kimberley Marine Park has been the subject of numerous research and debates in different areas. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the importance of Kimberley Marine Park, analyzing its different perspectives and providing a comprehensive view of its relevance in the contemporary world. From its influence on popular culture to its impact on the global economy, Kimberley Marine Park deserves detailed and critical attention to understand its true reach in our society.
Kimberley Marine Park | |
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IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources) | |
Location | Australia |
Coordinates | 15°06′50″S 123°43′01″E / 15.1138°S 123.7170°E |
Area | 74,469 km2 (28,753 sq mi) |
Established | 1 July 2018 |
Operator | Parks Australia |
Website | https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/parks/north-west |
The Kimberley Marine Park, formerly known as the Kimberley Commonwealth Marine Reserve and also known as the Great Kimberley Marine Park, is an Australian marine park offshore of Western Australia, near the Kimberley region. Proclaimed under the EPBC Act in 2013, the marine park covers an area of 74,469 km2 (28,753 sq mi) and is assigned IUCN category VI. It is one of the 13 parks managed under the North-west Marine Parks Network. It covers a number of state-managed marine parks.
The marine park was proclaimed under the EPBC Act on 14 December 2013 as the Kimberley Commonwealth Marine Reserve and renamed Kimberley Marine Park on 9 October 2017. The management plan and protection measures of the marine park came into effect for the first time on 1 July 2018.
The Kimberley Marine Park has been assigned IUCN protected area category VI. However, within the marine park there are three protection zones, each zone has an IUCN category and related rules for managing activities to ensure the protection of marine habitats and species.
The following table is a summary of the zoning rules within the Kimberley Marine Park:
Zone | IUCN | Activities permitted | Total area (km2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Vessel transiting | Recreational fishing | Commercial fishing | Commercial aquaculture | Commercial tourism | Mining | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National Park | II | Yes | No | No | No | excludes fishing, with approval | No | 406 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Habitat Protection | IV | Yes | Yes | most, with approval | with approval | with approval | No | 6,929 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Multiple Use | VI | Yes | Yes | most, with approval | with approval | with approval | with approval | 39,964 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
External link: Zoning and rules for the North-west Marine Parks Network |
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has been collaborating with the traditional owners of the respective areas in overseeing the planning, development and consolidation of a number of marine parks within the region,: in the first ever marine parks co-designed with traditional owners and the state government.
The proposed draft plan for the Bardi Jawi, Mayala and Maiyalam marine parks was put up for public consultation in late 2020. Under the plan, covering 6,600 km2 (2,500 sq mi), recreational fishing would be banned or restricted in 40 per cent of the area, which ignited debate about fishing rights. In November 2021 a revised plan was issued, after 17,000 submissions had been received. The new plan allowed greater access for recreational fishers, in particular addressing the concerns of local fishers. The final plan is expected to be released in early 2022.
The Great Kimberley Marine Park is an interconnected area covering the four biggest parks in the Kimberley: Lalang-garram/Camden Sound Marine Park, Lalang-garram/Horizontal Falls Marine Park, North Lalang-garram Marine Park and the North Kimberley Marine Park.