Commonwealth Marine Reserves

DAFF provides policy input into a range of forums that influence or have a role in the management of Australia’s oceans. This includes progressing Australia’s Oceans Policy, and input into the proposed marine bioregional plans and marine reserves to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are carefully considered.

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities  (DSEWPaC) leads the marine bioregional planning process.  Marine bioregional planning is currently being implemented in five marine bioregional planning regions, South-east, South-west, North-west, North and East Marine Regions. The development of the bioregional plans and associated marine reserve networks will be an upcoming focus.

In May 2011, DSEWPaC released a fisheries Adjustment policy that sets out how the government will address commercial fishing activities that may be displaced by new Commonwealth marine reserves, and flow-on impacts on fishing-dependent communities.

• Fisheries Adjustment Policy  PDF  [473kb]  

More information on commonwealth marine reserves and marine bioregional planning