Plans have been released for Western Australia’s South Coast Marine Park.

Spanning from Bremer Bay to the South Australian border, the park aims to balance conservation with community access and commercial use, and it has drawn praise from conservationists and local communities. 

The zoning plan, the result of three years of extensive consultations, establishes “general-use”, “recreation”, and “sanctuary” zones.

The zoning scheme designates sanctuary zones over 20 per cent of the park’s waters, which include biodiverse areas critical for threatened species like the Australian sea lion. 

While fishing access remains broadly intact, allowing recreational and commercial fishers access to 85 per cent of the coast and 80 per cent of the marine park, conservation groups argue that additional protections are necessary.

“No government in Western Australia's history has ever consulted as long or as widely as ours did for the creation of the South Coast Marine Park… I want to see a world-class marine park along WA's south coast that rivals Ningaloo or the Great Barrier Reef. I'm glad to say that's exactly what we will see happen,” said WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby.

The project follows a record 22,000 submissions from Western Australians, many of whom voiced strong support for comprehensive protections in the marine park’s final design.

A four-month public comment period, along with local pop-up shops and advisory groups, brought in diverse perspectives from commercial fishers, environmentalists, and community leaders, resulting in what the State Government describes as a balanced plan.

Despite broad support, environmental groups under the Save Our Marine Life alliance, representing 27 organisations, have raised concerns that the zoning plan does not fully protect key areas. 

The alliance, led by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Australian Marine Conservation Society, has called for stronger measures to safeguard endangered southern right whales and Australian sea lions. 

“Until now, there has been no protection in state waters for this richly diverse marine environment,” Pew WA marine campaigner Talitha Wolfe.

“We are concerned… that critical fish breeding grounds close to shore do not have enough sanctuary protection.”

Shallow near-shore waters, particularly around the Recherche Archipelago near Esperance are essential nurseries for fish and host some of WA’s largest sea lion colonies. 

“This area remains under-protected in the newly created marine park… [We] must continue to build a truly world-class marine park network that fully protects our treasured marine life and our way of life,” said Adele Pedder, Protected Areas Manager for the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

The final management plan for the South Coast Marine Park is set to be released later this month, with the zoning scheme to take legal effect by late 2026. 

In the meantime, fishing activities in the park will continue as usual, giving the government and commercial fishing sectors time to transition smoothly. 

A Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme is in the works to assist fishers adapting to new regulations, though its specifics are still being finalised.

More information is accessible here.

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