Kimberley Wilderness Parks |
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Camden Sound Marine ParkThe proposed Camden Sound Marine Park is the first of the four new marine parks to be created and the indicative managment plan is available now: The Kimberley Wilderness Parks will include Western Australia’s largest interconnected system of marine and terrestrial reserves, covering more than 3.5 million hectares of one of the last great wilderness areas in the world. These initiatives, which will cover an area half the size of Tasmania, are a key component of the State Government’s Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy. The initiative will also deliver a ’landscape‘ approach to conservation through voluntary partnerships, to tackle threats that occur across tenures, particularly bushfire, feral animals and weeds. Multimedia presentation: Kimberley Wilderness Parks Marine initiativesThe four new marine parks at Camden Sound, North Kimberley, Roebuck Bay and Eighty Mile Beach will nearly treble the total area of marine parks and reserves in WA coastal waters.
The Kimberley Wilderness Parks will include wilderness fishing zones, which will allow recreational fishing for immediate consumption, to maintain the world class fishing experience of the region. The parks will also include sanctuary zones, which will exclude recreational and commercial fishing and other extractive activities, to protect the highly significant marine habitats. Traditional owners and other groups will be consulted over coming months and indicative management plans will be prepared for each marine park and released for public comment. Terrestrial initiatives
As part of its commitment to preserving the unique biodiversity of the marine and terrestrial areas within the Kimberley Wilderness Parks, the State Government will make an initial investment of $10 million over four years to facilitate partnerships, where appropriate, with traditional owners, pastoralists, conservation groups and other land managers. These voluntary partnerships will deliver a 'landscape‘ approach to conservation that will reach beyond park borders to protect the region's biodiversity against threats, particularly fire, feral animals and weeds.
The Government will also invest $2.7 million in nature-based tourism to improve visitor facilities in Kimberley parks. The Government will release more initiatives over coming months following further discussions with traditional owners, landholders and the community. Map of Kimberley Wilderness ParksOther informationMedia Statements
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Premier Colin Barnett and Environment Minister Donna Faragher announced on 22 October 2010 that four new marine parks, a new national park and additional conservation reserves would be part of the new Kimberley Wilderness Parks.
Camden Sound Marine Park indicative management plan (
This will boost the area of marine parks and reserves in WA coastal waters from 1.5 million to 4.1 million hectares - an increase from 12 per cent to 30 per cent.
Kimberley Wilderness Parks will also:
Joint management with traditional owners and other groups will be central to the creation and future of the new conservation reserves.
The Kimberley Wilderness Parks and joint management of the new marine and terrestrial parks will create significant opportunities for local Aboriginal people to be employed working on country.
