Recfishwest's policy on marine protected areas can be found here
Former UK member of parliament and recreational fishing advocate Martin Salter discusses marine parks:
Marine Parks in Western Australia - a reference list.
The following is a reference list of internet links about Marine Parks and areas where fishing is restricted in Western Australia.
Terms and names used.
Terms and names such as Marine Park, Marine Protected Area (MPA), Marine Reserve, Marine Conservation Reserve, Marine Management Area, Sanctuary zone, No-take zone, No fishing area, Fish Habitat Protection Area (FHPA) are often used interchangeably or incorrectly and can cause confusion.
Marine conservation reserve is a general description. There are three different types of reserves in Western Australia.
1. Marine nature reserves are for conservation and scientific research. They are 'look but don't take' areas often referred to as 'no take' areas or 'marine sanctuaries'.
2. Marine Parks are created to protect natural features and aesthetic values while allowing recreational and commercial uses that do not compromise conservation values. Marine parks have four management zone options, which can be used in any combination and percentage of the area.
Sanctuary zones are 'look but don't take' areas, which prohibit all fishing, so sometimes are also called 'no-take areas' or 'no-take zones'.
Recreation zones are reserved for recreational activities. Management plans give the details.
Special purpose zones are managed for a particular priority use or purpose. Other uses compatible with the priority use or purpose are allowed in these zones. Special purpose zones may allow or may prohibit recreational fishing and other activities. Management plans give the details.
General use zones are all other areas in marine parks which are not classified as sanctuary, recreation or special purpose zones. Conservation of natural resources is a priority purpose and activities are allowed provided they do not compromise the conservation values. Management plans give the details.
Wilderness Conservation areas (previously called "Wilderness Fishing areas") are specified areas which aim to protect wilderness values while allowing low impact recreational fishing. More details are in Recfishwest Wilderness Conservation Areas Policy
3. Marine management areas provide a formal integrated management framework over areas that have high conservation value and intensive multiple-use.
Marine reserves extend to the WA State Waters boundary, generally 3 nautical miles offshore, but further where offshore islands exist. These marine reserves are covered by WA legislation.
Proposed WA State and Commonwealth Marine conservation reserves and Marine Parks:
80 Mile Beach Marine Park (in planning as part of Kimberley Wilderness Parks)Webpage Zones or map
Camden Sound Marine Park (Proposed as part of Kimberley Wilderness Parks)Webpage Zones or map See diagrams and maps in the Management plan Indicative Management Plan
Marine parks and other restrictions are very complex topics. Recfishwest does not guarantee that all restrictions and all areas will be listed in this page. This page will use links to or a summary of information from "official" websites which should have all the correct and up to date details. Some websites are poorly organised for finding such information, and the webpages linked to may have omissions. External links shown on this page may be changed or rearranged by the website owners without notice, and the contents may not be updated with the latest rule changes. Such external website changes, errors and omissions are outside the control of the Recfishwest. The Association will check regularly to ensure that the links and information on this page are as up to date as possible consistent with the sources shown and other authoritative sources.
Readers should not rely on any information in this page as their only source of information about the areas or the rules and their legal responsibilities to comply with restrictions. If in any doubt, contact local Department of Fisheries and Department of Environment and Conservation offices for confirmation.
