Marine Bioregional Planning

The process of marine bioregional planning began in April 2000 developing plans for Australia’s marine environment.

This process was originally conducted in accordance with Australia’s Ocean Policy 1999 that sets in place the framework for integrated and ecosystem-based planning and management for all of Australia's marine jurisdictions. Of the five marine regions only the south east was subject to this previous planning process.

In 2005 the Australian Government brought its program of regional marine planning directly under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Section 176 of the EPBC Act states that the provisions a Marine Bioregional Plan may include:

descriptions of the biodiversity, economic, social and heritage values of the region;
the objectives of the plan relating to biodiversity and other values;
strategies and actions to give effect to the plan;
how the community can be involved in the plan; and
mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing the plan over time.

Marine Bioregional Plans will be developed in each of Australia’s five marine regions and will act as decision making tools for the Minister and other decision makers when addressing matters relevant to the marine environment.

The first stage of the planning process involves developing a Regional Profile of each marine region. These profiles will act as the information base for the development of a draft plan and the subsequent regional marine plan. The Regional Profiles will also set out the objectives for subsequent work to identify an MPA network for the marine region which will form part of the National Representative System of MPAs. The period between the release of the profile and the draft plan (a period of 12 months) will include a process of consultation with various stakeholders including commonwealth fisheries.

This process has the potential to have significant impact on the future operating environment of Commonwealth fisheries and, as such, AFMA is taking an active role as it progresses. AFMA’s intended involvement is outlined in the document AFMA Strategy for Engaging in the DEW Marine Bioregional Planning Process.

As part of this engagement, AFMA Management Briefs are circulated to industry body associations, MAC executive officers, government fisheries managers and relevant government departments as one of several avenues to help ensure that stakeholders remain informed. For example, a map depicting Marine Regions and their proximity to Commonwealth managed fisheries has been produced. A summary table (PDF, 68kb) with information on the current status of Marine Regions has also been compiled to keep stakeholders informed of key developments, and remind stakeholders of public consultation periods. This should provide stakeholders with sufficient time to contribute to the planning process.

Progress of the Marine Bioregional Planning process can be viewed on the DEWHA website.

Anyone wishing to discuss AFMA’s involvement in this process should contact: Paul Ryan on (02) 6225 5366 or by email or Carolyn Stewardson on (02) 6225 5351 or by email.

Page last updated 19 September, 2008