- Cook Government endorses recommendation for whole-of-gulf marine park in Exmouth
- Sanctuary zones proposed to protect 30 per cent of the area
- Park to be jointly vested with Traditional Owners with detailed planning to begin immediately
- Cook Government investing a further $5 million to bolster marine heatwave recovery efforts
The Cook Labor Government will establish a new marine park spanning the entire Exmouth Gulf to conserve and protect the globally significant marine habitat for generations to come.
This will deliver on a key recommendation of the Exmouth Gulf Taskforce's Final Report.
The Gulf is an important habitat for nursing humpback whales and their calves, one of the world's largest populations of dugongs, Australian humpback dolphins and four species of marine turtles.
It is a global hotspot for threatened sawfish and wedgefish, and home to at least 11 species of sea snakes, including two species previously thought to be extinct.
The Exmouth Gulf coast is an internationally significant area for several migratory shorebird species and contains unique subterranean fauna found nowhere else in the world.
The area contains important Aboriginal culture and heritage, including materials and sites that have been dated to be at least 40,000 years old.
The Gulf has globally significant ecological values and is also an important hub for defence, tourism and industry, including commercial and recreational fishing.
To ensure the long-term health of the Gulf's ecosystems, the Government proposes that at least 30 per cent of the marine park be designated as no-catch sanctuary zones, which will provide the highest level of protection to ecologically sensitive areas.
The proposed park will be jointly vested between the Conservation and Parks Commission and the Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation (NTGAC) and jointly managed by NTGAC and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
In planning the marine park, the Government will adopt a zoning scheme that provides strong environmental protection while supporting the Gulf's ongoing social and economic use. The zoning framework will:
- Honour existing commitments to high protection over the eastern and southern Gulf;
- Ensure existing managed commercial fishing continues;
- Support sustainable recreational and tourism use, including recreational fishing, outside of the designated sanctuary zones; and
- Allow for the sustainable economic development of the area.
The Cook Government will now work closely with NTGAC, local communities, and industry to plan and implement the marine park in a way that delivers strong environmental protection while maintaining social and economic benefits.
In addition, the Cook Government is investing a further $5 million to expand the Healthy Oceans Program, building on a previous $5 million commitment made at the 2025 State Election.
The new investment will fund a grant program to support coral restoration trials and research into restoration approaches as the WA coast continues to recover from the worst marine heatwave on record earlier this year.
The whole-of-gulf marine park will build on the Labor Government's strong record of protecting and restoring WA's land and oceans, which has included:
- Creating more than 6.5 million hectares of new national parks, marine parks and other conservation reserves;
- Ceasing native forest logging in 2024;
- Supporting the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation in achieving World Heritage Listing for Murujuga and its world-class rock art; and
- Creating the South Coast Marine Park.
The Exmouth Gulf Marine Park will further contribute to the national target to protect 30 per cent of Australia's land mass and marine areas by 2030, in line with international conservation targets.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"My government is committed to protecting and restoring our land and oceans, because we want future generations to be able to enjoy the economic and lifestyle benefits of our natural environment.
"Since we were elected, we have ended native forest logging and created more than 6.5 million hectares of new conservation reserve, including the South Coast Marine Park.
"Exmouth Gulf is one of the most extraordinary and unique marine ecosystems on the planet and it deserves the highest level of protection.
"A carefully zoned and properly managed marine park will enable us to achieve strong environmental, social and economic outcomes for the long-term benefit of Exmouth locals and the whole of Western Australia.
"By working in genuine partnership with Traditional Owners, we will protect its cultural and environmental value while ensuring the community and industry can continue to enjoy this special place."
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"Exmouth Gulf is a place that is loved by Western Australians and needs to be protected and managed to ensure that its outstanding values are preserved.
"A whole-of-gulf marine park will secure the health of the Exmouth Gulf for generations to come.
"The zoning plan will strike the right balance - protecting critical habitats and cultural sites while allowing sustainable fishing, tourism and economic activity to continue.
"I would like to thank the Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation and all the Exmouth Gulf Taskforce members, particularly its recent Chair David McFerran, for their insights and work to deliver the Final Report."
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"We recognise that Exmouth Gulf is an important location for commercial, recreational and charter fishing.
"Our approach will ensure commercial fishing operations in the Gulf can continue, while also supporting the sustainable recreational fishing experiences that make Exmouth such a popular attraction.
"We will be working hard to deliver a balanced outcome which continues to support sustainable fishing, and I encourage industry and community to take the opportunity to put their views forward as part of the consultation process."
As stated by Gascoyne Minister Hannah Beazley:
"This is a fantastic outcome for the region, which will both protect this globally recognised marine environment and support the continued diversification of the local economy."
