The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has announced that three new Kimberley marine parks have been established in the Buccaneer Archipelago.
According to the Department, this means more than a million hectares of conservation estate have now been created under the Plan for Our Parks initiative.
The three new Bardi Jawi Gaarra, Mayala and Maiyalam Marine Parks have a combined total of more than 600,000 hectares with the three co-designed and joint managed by Traditional Owners and the Department.
Minister for the Environment, Reece Whitby said Traditional Owners had been living in the regions for tens of thousands of years, with the islands, reefs and intertidal systems home to many culturally important sites and significant subsistence foraging and hunting habitats.
“An extensive consultation and planning process was undertaken in the creation of the marine parks. The zoning will ensure that areas of conservation and cultural significance are protected,” Mr Whitby said.
“A sector support package for impacted commercial, charter and recreational fishers will be established prior to the commencement of the new marine parks’ boundaries on 1 July, 2023,” he said.
Premier, Mark McGowan said the establishment of the marine parks was a landmark day in protecting areas of conservation and cultural significance.
“The new marine parks are co-designed and jointly managed by Traditional Owners in a WA first,” Mr McGowan said.
“My Government has now established over a million hectares of new conservation estates as we work to protect these unique environments for generations to come.”
