AN additional 2.3 million kilometres of Australian waters will be managed as marine parks for the first time, as five new management plans come into effect from the start of this month.
This brings all 60 Australian Marine Parks, covering some 3.2 million square kilometres, under protection: the second largest network of managed marine parks in the world.
According to a joint press release from Josh Frydenberg MP, Senator Anne Ruston and Melissa Price MP, the new management arrangements will provide certainty for marine park users. These parks strike the balance between outstanding conservation outcomes and securing the future of Australia’s sustainable fishing and tourism industries.
To assist industries and communities transition to the new management arrangements, the Government has announced an adjustment package of $35 million.
The package will include:
- direct assistance to affected commercial fishers with a recent history of fishing in Australian Marine Parks as they transition their business to the new operating environment;
- grants to help marine users and industries engage in marine park management, including a sub-component of up to $2 million for infrastructure to provide recreational and charter fishers as well as other tourism operators with secure moorings; and
- support to encourage uptake of vessel monitoring systems.
Through the grants program, there are opportunities for all marine users to engage with managing these places for future sustainability.
Industry consultation will soon commence on the fishing business assistance program.
Further information about Australian Marine Parks is available HERE.
