Dear Environment Minister Watt,

I welcome this once-in-a-decade opportunity to improve protection for our iconic Kimberley ocean. 

The Kimberley is considered one of the world’s last great pristine tropical coastlines left in the world. The Commonwealth waters offshore are part of the same living ocean. Coral reefs, offshore islands and canyons provide nursery and feeding grounds for fish and habitat for turtles, dugongs, dolphins, sawfish, sharks, whales and seabirds. Yet only 4.9% of the North-west Marine Region is protected in marine sanctuaries (National Park Zones), while intensive industrial activities remain permitted across large areas of the marine parks.

The review of the 2018 North-west Marine Parks Network Management Plan is an important opportunity to strengthen protection and improve the health of the Kimberley marine environment. Healthy oceans support healthy coasts, fish stocks and a strong future for Kimberley communities. Protecting offshore nursery, feeding and aggregation areas can sustain marine life and fish populations across connected waters, including the coastal areas that Kimberley communities use and value.

As someone who cares deeply about the health of the Kimberley marine environment, I ask the Federal Government to:

1. Create more National Park Zones across the marine parks

Create more marine sanctuaries where protection is most needed, including the North Kimberley, Adele Island, the Lacepede Islands and Rowley Shoals. Apply comprehensive, adequate and representative planning and other scientific design principles, and ensure new sanctuaries protect the shallow shelf and upper slope, not only the deep ocean.

2. Expand marine park boundaries to connect the Kimberley’s intact tropical shelf ecosystem and encompass surrounding key ecological features.  

Extend the Kimberley Marine Park to include Commonwealth areas around Scott Reef, Browse Island, Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. With petroleum exploration now largely complete across many prospective areas, there is a timely opportunity to protect important reefs, slope habitats, wildlife areas and ecological links that were previously excluded because of potential development.

3. Protect marine parks from industrial activities

Follow the approach adopted for the South-east Marine Parks Network in 2025 by restricting intensive activities. Prohibit seabed mining, prevent new oil and gas activities and seismic blasting, and add bottom trawling to the activities that are not permitted within marine parks.

4. Make the plan work for the long term

Deliver a science-based and well-funded marine park network, shaped through properly resourced, place-based work in genuine partnership with Traditional Owners, respecting rights, cultural authority and aspirations for Sea Country.

The Kimberley’s ocean is unique, diverse and deeply connected to the region’s coastal lifestyle and economy. Science shows that fully protected marine sanctuaries can enhance biodiversity, strengthen resilience and replenish fish populations within and beyond their boundaries, supporting fishing in surrounding waters.

Traditional Owner knowledge, cultural values and governance are essential to effective marine park management and the long-term health of our oceans. Marine protected areas must respect Indigenous rights, knowledge and enduring connections to Sea Country.

Australia’s oceans face growing pressures. I therefore also support strong, science-based expansion of National Park Zones in the Temperate East, North and South-west marine regions and the Coral Sea Marine Park, as well as proposed stronger protection around Lord Howe and Norfolk islands in line with the aspirations of those island communities.

Please count this letter as my submission to the Notice of Intent consultation and the separate proclamation consultation on proposed stronger protection around Lord Howe and Norfolk islands. 

Yours Sincerely,
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