New management arrangements commence for South-East Marine Parks

A new South-east Marine Parks Network Management Plan has come into effect, replacing the previous plan that expired in June 2023.

The South-east Marine Parks Network spans an impressive 701,927 square kilometres, including 14 marine parks located in Commonwealth waters off Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island Marine Park.

The network is home to a diverse range of habitats and incredible marine life, including large black coral trees, golden kelp forests, deep-sea eels, penguins, pygmy blue whales and shy albatross.

The new management plan includes zoning changes for 11 of the 14 marine parks (including the 2023 zoning arrangements for the expanded Macquarie Island Marine Park). It also restricts some activities that were previously allowable in the multiple use zoning of the Network.

Most of the zoning changes aim at increasing protection for targeted important environments, such as the spectacular habitats dominated by 3m tall black corals, found in Joe’s Reef, in the Freycinet Marine Park shown in this photo.