Australian Marine Parks help conserve marine habitats and the marine species that live within and rely on these habitats.
These marine parks also provide places for people to watch wildlife, dive, and go boating, snorkelling and fishing. Importantly, they create jobs in industries like fishing and tourism, and provide us with food and energy.
The Australian Government has established 60 Australian Marine Parks around the country. They cover 3.8 million square kilometres, or 43% of Australian waters, and are managed by Parks Australia.
Australian Marine Parks are the largest part of Australia’s National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas, which also includes the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve, and marine parks managed by state and territory governments. This national system of marine parks covers nearly half of Australian waters and is one of the largest areas of marine parks in the world.
Latest marine parks news
Appointment of new membership to Australian Marine Park Advisory Committees
Monday 13 May 2024
The Director of National Parks has appointed 56 new members to the Australian Marine Park Advisory Committees (AMPACs) for the Coral Sea Marine Park and the North, North-west, South-west and Temperate East marine parks networks, for a three-year term.
Pilot study on ghost net recycling pathways in Gulf of Carpentaria now complete
Thursday 14 September 2023
A pilot study exploring recycling pathways for ghost nets in the Gulf of Carpentaria is now complete.
Parks Australia invites expressions of interest for membership to our advisory committees.
Wednesday 9 August 2023
Australian Marine Park Advisory Committees (AMPACs) were established in 2019 to advise the Director of National Parks on the management of Australian Marine Parks. We are inviting expressions of interest for new membership under an updated Terms of Reference.
Investing in the long-term health of Australian Marine Parks
Friday 28 July 2023
The Australian Government has launched the fourth round of Our Marine Parks Grants program, with $8.6 million available for organisations to take an active role in supporting the management of Australia’s 3.82 million km2 network of Australian Marine Parks.
Where are Australian Marine Parks?
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How we manage marine parks
Watch the video to learn more about your marine parks.
Management plans set out how we manage our parks – protecting important marine habitats and species, while allowing people to use and enjoy these special places.
Find out more about how we will manage marine parks under these plans by clicking the links below.
Learn more about your marine parks
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