Management plans to protect pristine marine biodiversity.

Environment Minister David Templeman today released management plans to protect some of the State's most pristine marine reserves.

The final management plans are the result of extensive community consultation and are designed to preserve and protect the Rowley Shoals Marine Park, Montebello/Barrow Islands Marine Conservation Reserves and the surrounding Barrow Island Marine Management Area.

"The Montebello/Barrow Islands are some of the most beautiful and unique marine environments anywhere along the Western Australian coast and have significant recreational and economic value,” Mr Templeman said.

"And the Rowley Shoals feature a world-renowned oceanic reef system and are home to a stunning array of tropical marine biodiversity which is unsurpassed anywhere in the State."

The State Government increased the area of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park to approximately 87,500ha - four times its original size - in 2004.

It lies 200km west north-west of Broome and includes the Imperieuse and Clerke Reefs and two sandy islands - Cunningham and Bedwell.

"Following the release of the final management plan, the State Government will be establishing a zoning scheme that includes two sanctuary zones covering about 24 per cent of the park, three recreation zones covering 19 per cent of the park and general use zones covering about 57 per cent of the park," the Minister said.

"This zoning scheme will protect the rich marine biodiversity of the area while still providing for a range of sustainable recreational, commercial, educational and scientific uses.

"The Rowley Shoals rise dramatically from depths of 230 to 500m above the sea floor and offer some of the most spectacular underwater scenery found anywhere in Australia. It is a world-renowned dive site with pristine coral, giant clams and other shellfish and large and plentiful reef fish.

"Because of its position at the edge of one of the widest continental shelves in the world, the oceanic waters surrounding these atolls are crystal clear and ideal for luxuriant coral growth.
"When you consider that most coral reefs throughout the world are being severely degraded by human activities, the Rowley Shoals - because of their condition and isolation - provide one of the best chances to conserve a pristine coral reef system."

Under the new management plan, for the Montebello/Barrow Island Marine conservation reserve, all of the Barrow Island Marine Park and about 49 per cent of the Montebello Islands Marine Park would be included in sanctuary zones.

"The islands are a significant breeding ground and nesting area for marine turtles and the waters surrounding the islands support important coral reefs, distinctive mangrove communities and a stunningly diverse tropical fauna,” Mr Templeman said.

"The area is also part of the State's most productive petroleum region, produces high quality pearls and provides a range of excellent tourism and recreational opportunities.

"While there will be sanctuary zones, large areas of the reserves remain open to recreational and commercial fishing with more than half of the Montebello Islands Marine Park and more than 95 per cent of the Barrow Island Marine Management area available for these pursuits.”

The State Government has significantly expanded the system of marine conservation reserves with indicative management plans released for proposed marine conservation reserves in the Dampier Archipelago/Cape Preston area, around the south-west Capes and Walpole and Nornalup inlets, in the later part of 2006.

The State Government intends to formally establish these new marine parks and reserves by the end of 2007.

"The Carpenter Government is making decisions for the future and ensuring that our unique environment is protected and preserved for generations to come," the Minister said.

Copies of the management plans will be available from Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) offices in Kensington, Fremantle, Broome and Kununurra and on DEC’s NatureBase website from Tuesday morning at http://www.naturebase.net.

Note: DVD’s featuring underwater vision and still images of marine life are available on request.