Public consultation on the proposal to expand Macquarie Island Marine Park was open from 20 March 2023 to 22 May 2023. The public comment period has now closed.
A total of 14,695 campaign submissions and 41 unique submissions were received.
To stay up to date, please visit Australian Marine Parks or email MIMPexpansion@dcceew.gov.au to join a subscriber list.
Background
Macquarie Island Marine Park is a remote marine park in the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean. It is one of 14 marine parks managed under the South-east Marine Parks Network Management Plan 2013-2023.
The proposed expansion would see the expanded the marine park over an area of sea adjacent to Macquarie Island Marine Park and re-zoning the existing area.
The proposed expansion would aim to:
Protect the entirety of the Macquarie Province bioregion within Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Ensure all marine areas of the Macquarie Island World Heritage Area are under marine park protection.
Expand protection of important areas for breeding and foraging threatened and migratory species.
Achieve the dual objectives of protecting and conserving biodiversity, while supporting compatible ecologically sustainable use by enabling the continuation of a sustainable fishery aligned with its historical footprint.
