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Proposed expansion of marine park north of Two Rocks

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A proposal to expand the Marmion marine park will if adopted result in the marine park’s boundary starting north of Two Rocks, according to information released by the Parks and Wildlife Service.

Marmion Marine Park expansion
There is a proposal to extend Marmion marine park to north of Two Rocks with an opportunity for people to join a community reference committee or a represent their sector on an advisory group. Picture: Pam Sutton/DBCA

At present the Marmion marine park, which occupies about 9500ha, is situated between Trigg Island and Burns Rocks.

The Review and proposed extension of Marmion marine park says in 2019, development approval for Ocean Reef marina required the excision of 143ha from Marmion marine Park enacted through the Reserves (Marmion Marine Park) Act 2019.

This triggered a review of the management plan to reflect the excision as well as the proposed extension of the marine park, as a commitment under the McGowan Government’s plan for our parks initiative.

The Parks and Wildlife Service is a section of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), which is calling for expressions of interest to join the Marmion marine park community reference committee, with expressions of interest applications closing on Wednesday, March 2.

Expressions of interest are sought from suitably experienced people, including local Aboriginal people.

The committee will be appointed by the Environment Minister Reece Whitby and comprise of up to 12 members.

Members will be selected based on their expertise, local knowledge or experience across a broad range of interest areas.

The Environment Minister may also appoint the chair through this process.

According to information in the frequently asked questions section of the Review and proposed extension of Marmion marine park the extension is being proposed to enhance protection of intertidal and subtidal macroalgae reef communities, sea grass beds, important habitat for the endemic Australia sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) and an array of seabirds.

The information said an extension to the park would also allow management frameworks to be put in place to manage the expected increase in use of the area into the future.

Sector advisory groups will also be set up to provide representative advice and recommendations from their sector (for example commercial fishing, recreational fishing, tourism, science, ports/industry, conservation).

They will provide their recommendations to the community reference committee, DBCA, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and joint management partners (collectively referred to as the planning team) as part of the marine park planning process.

The sector advisory groups will remain in place for the duration of the marine park planning process.

DBCA will invite all known peak body groups in writing to represent their sector as a sector advisory group and nominate a chair (for example Recfishwest will be invited to represent the recreational fishing sector).

If a community interest group is seeking sector advisory group representation as part of the marine park planning process, but is yet to receive an invitation from DBCA, they can email marmion@dbca.wa.gov.au

Sector advisory groups will be given the opportunity to

  • attend each committee meeting as sector representatives
  • present at the first meeting of the committee the sector advisory groups’ aspirations and concerns in relation to the marine park proposal
  • have a standing agenda item at the start of each committee meeting to provide advice and feedback from their sector to the committee on outcomes from previous committee meetings and
  • provide advice and recommendations throughout the planning process regarding the development of an indicative joint management plan for Marmion marine park, including proposed management arrangements.

This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 25 February 2022.

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