News
Latest news

Temporary closure of Middleton Reef
Monday 11 January 2021
Part of the northern-most National Park Zone of Lord Howe Marine Park, which includes Middleton Reef, has been temporarily closed following a report of a suspected unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Our Marine Parks Grants round two projects announced
Friday 11 December 2020
Over twenty innovative and inspiring projects receive funding under the second round of the Our Marine Parks Grants Program.

Looking into the past to drive the future
Friday 30 October 2020
Over the last 12 years a vast dataset of seabed marine imagery has been collected by the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS)’s autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Parks Australia is now working with researchers to unpack the secrets collected over the years and to better understand the biodiversity in Australian Marine Parks in the South-east Network.

Magnetic attraction at Rottnest Trench
Friday 4 September 2020
Working collaboratively with recreational fishers in Western Australia to support marine park management.

The Ashmore adventures continue
Tuesday 1 September 2020
In July last year, we took you to the heart of the Timor Sea, tracking the adventures of an intrepid team of scientists that spent two weeks surveying the islands of Ashmore Reef Marine Park.

Thriving marine life captured on video in South-West Corner Marine Park
Thursday 13 August 2020
Last month, researchers from the University of Western Australia (UWA) took advantage of easing COVID restrictions to head out into South-west Corner Marine Park and drop some baited underwater cameras. The team were rewarded with images of hidden cities of kelps, seagrass and sponge gardens, teeming with iconic local species such as dhufish and pink snapper.
Tough penalty for illegal fishing in Australian Marine Parks
Friday 27 March 2020
The Federal Court has fined the company and skipper of a vessel caught fishing illegally within the National Park Zone at Flinders Marine Park.

Keeping our marine parks ‘debris-free’
Tuesday 3 March 2020
Recently, Parks Australia staff travelled out to the Coral Sea Marine Park on a joint research voyage with scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and James Cook University.

Deep exploration of Bremer and Perth Canyon Marine Parks
Monday 24 February 2020
The Schmidt Ocean Institute research vessel Falkor has been deployed to the Bremer and Perth Canyon Marine Parks to explore some of the deepest areas of these parks for the very first time.

Mapping study gives first glimpse of deep reefs beneath Bass Strait
Friday 21 February 2020
Scientists have captured imagery of a newly discovered underwater landscape beneath the waves in Bass Strait, revealing a complex seabed of deep reefs that have been sustaining life for fish and other fauna for millennia.

Our Marine Parks Grants now open
Thursday 23 January 2020
The second round of Our Marine Parks Grants is now open to applications from organisations and community groups.

Managing Sea Country in Australia’s Coral Sea Marine Park
Thursday 19 December 2019
Watch Meriam traditional owners from Mer Island share stories about their connections with the reefs in the Coral Sea Marine Park and the importance of sea country to the community.

New collaboration strengthens management of sea country in the Kimberley Marine Park
Tuesday 10 December 2019
Parks Australia and the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation have taken an important step towards strengthening management of sea country in the Kimberley region with the signing of a partnership agreement.

Protect your marine parks – Report illegal activity
Wednesday 16 October 2019
Suspicious or illegal activity in Australian Marine Parks can now be reported through a new hotline number – 1800 852 975.

Worimi Sea Country (Garuwa) Artworks
Tuesday 13 August 2019
We’ve recently collaborated with the Worimi People, artist Melissa Lilley and New South Wales Department of Primary Industries to celebrate important cultural connections with sea country near Port Stephens, including Hunter Marine Park.

Say cheese …. we’re off to film fish communities at Ningaloo Marine Park
Tuesday 13 August 2019
A research team from CSIRO and The University of Western Australia are heading off to Ningaloo Marine Park today to take a peek at deep-water fish communities and continental shelf habitats.

New partnerships to strengthen management for Australia’s offshore marine environment
Monday 24 June 2019
Around the country, six new regional Australian Marine Park advisory committees recently came together for the first time. These committees will play an important role in supporting the management of Australian Marine Parks, a network of 58 marine parks that help protect Australia’s offshore marine environment.

Fisheries assistance – Our Marine Parks Grants awarded to strengthen Australian Marine Park management
Friday 5 April 2019
The first round of Our Marine Parks Grants have been awarded to fund eight organisations to deliver 12 projects that will improve the long-term sustainability of fishing in ways that support the objectives of Australian Marine Parks.

Fisheries assistance – Fishing Business Assistance Grants now open
Wednesday 20 March 2019
The Fishing Business Assistance Grants are now open for acceptance by eligible commercial fishers. Applications close on Tuesday 7 May 2019.

Fishers caught fishing illegally in Cod Grounds Marine Park
Friday 22 February 2019
Last weekend occupants of three local vessels were found to be illegally fishing inside the Cod Grounds Marine Park, nine kilometres off the coast of Laurieton. This marine park is one of 58 Australian Marine Parks managed by Parks Australia to protect Australia’s offshore marine environment.

Fisheries assistance – Our Marine Parks Grants now open
Thursday 14 February 2019
The first round of Our Marine Parks Grants is now open to applications from invited fishing sector organisations. Applications close on Tuesday 12 March 2019.

Fisheries Assistance and User Engagement Package
Friday 14 December 2018
The Director has released the ‘Fishing Business Assistance Grants – Consultation Report’, which details the Director’s consideration of comments received from the fishing industry on the Fishing Business Assistance program.

Largest ever reef survey of the Coral Sea Marine Park underway
Tuesday 4 December 2018
The most extensive reef survey of the Coral Sea Marine Park ever undertaken will continue this week as scientists from ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University (Coral CoE) and Parks Australia staff set sail from Gladstone, Queensland.

Sharing marine park science through partnerships
Tuesday 20 November 2018
Parks Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science have launched the Australian Marine Parks Science Atlas, an online portal showcasing the remarkable scientific discoveries being made in our marine parks.

Diving into Australia's largest marine park
Friday 8 June 2018
Parks Australia managers and James Cook University researchers recently returned from a voyage to the Coral Sea Marine Park to gain a better understanding of the coral reef ecosystems.
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