Caring for country,
Land and Sea
An historic agreement between Traditional Owners, government and stakeholders will help safeguard the future of Western Australia's South Coast marine and coastal environments.
The South Coast of Western Australia is home to a unique and fragile ecosystem that supports a rich diversity of marine life, from whales and sea lions to fish and corals.
It is also a place of cultural and economic significance for Traditional Owners groups, who have cared for Country, on land and sea, for thousands of years.
The South Coast Marine Park is a landmark initiative that will protect and preserve this precious environment for generations to come, while balancing the needs and interests of different users and stakeholders.
Header photo credit: DBCA and Peter Nicholas
Photo credit: Albert Pessaradona
Tell your story
The Draft Management Plan for the South Coast Marine Park is now open for public consultation. We invite you to learn more about the benefits and opportunities of this landmark initiative to protect our coast. Register here for more information about the SCMP and to find out how to make a submission on the Draft Management Plan.
Photo credit: Dave and Fiona Harvey
What is the South Coast Marine Park Draft Management Plan?
The South Coast Marine Park — actually four connected parks stretching from Bremer Bay east to the South Australian border — fills a critical gap in preserving Western Australia's fragile south coast marine environment.
It will create protective corridors for species and connect existing reserves established by the Commonwealth, while maintaining access for recreational fishers across 95 per cent of the park’s boundaries.
No-take zones in highly biodiverse and fragile areas will allow species recovery and protect the calving zones for species such as the southern right whale and the dwindling numbers of Australian sea lions found off the South Coast.
The Draft Management Plan will support the continuing shift to more sustainable commercial and recreational activities such as fishing, tourism, diving and boating — with many commercial operators already committing to a reduction in their environmental impact.
The park will be jointly managed by DBCA and the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar, Wudjari and Mirning Traditional Owner groups, in an arrangement that will support new economic activity and job creation for communities across the South Coast.
South Coast Marine Alliance
The South Coast Marine Park Alliance represents the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar, Wudjari, and Mirning people, three Traditional Owner groups who will jointly manage the marine park alongside the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
As active partners in the planning for the SCMP throughout the consultation process, we see the SCMP as the missing piece needed to preserve Western Australia’s fragile and unique south coast marine environment.
Photo credit: Claire Ross
“Caring for Country is not something that stops at the edge of the water.”
— Gail Reynolds-Adamson, Chair of
Esperance Tjaltraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation
Show your support
Sign up to be the first to receive updates about the South Coast Marine Park and show your support for this important initiaitve.