On 5 September, the State Government confirmed it will establish a marine park across the entire Exmouth Gulf.
The park will be jointly vested with Traditional Owners, the Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation, and jointly managed with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
What this means for fishers
Recreational fishing is central to Exmouth Gulf’s identity, economy and lifestyle. Any marine park must safeguard access and support the tourism and fishing sectors that rely on the Gulf. WA’s fishers are strong champions of sustainability and we expect a park that protects the environment while allowing families, locals and visitors to enjoy responsible fishing.
Recfishwest’s priority is to ensure the new marine park enhances community benefits and creates opportunities for better fishing experiences.
Planning process
The Deptartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has advised that a draft zoning scheme will be developed by the end of 2025, with recfishwers invited to provide early input to identify areas important to fishers. Public consultation is expected to begin around mid-2026.
Local voices matter
Recfishwest recently visited Exmouth to speak with local fishers. The message was clear — the Gulf offers highly diverse fishing experiences, from camping around Wilderness, Simpson and Burnside Islands, to spearfishing the Shoals, crabbing in the Bay of Rest, or trolling northern waters for pelagics.
“The waters of Exmouth Gulf provide incredible fishing diversity, from trevally to queenfish, mangrove jack to permit, giant herring to sailfish and squid to crabs to name a few. We will continue to stand up for the rights of fishers and the values that make the Gulf so special,” said Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland.
Recfishwest’s initial statement following the 5 September announcement
Originally recommended by the State Government in December 2021, fishers have been waiting for further details on this marine park for almost four years.
Today’s announcement includes a proposal from Government to implement no-catch sanctuary zones in at least 30 per cent of the proposed park area. Recfishwest believes that locking in an arbitrary target for sanctuary zones before park boundaries or local needs are even discussed is completely premature.
The recent South Coast Marine Park process showed what happens when local communities are not genuinely engaged from the outset – it became contentious and divisive. Fishers want confidence that Exmouth Gulf will be handled differently. We have been assured that this planning phase will adopt a more inclusive, co-design approach, and Recfishwest will work to hold the Government to this commitment.
Our position:
Recreational fishing is central to Exmouth Gulf’s identity, economy and lifestyle. Any marine park must safeguard access and support the tourism and fishing sectors that rely on the Gulf.
WA’s recreational fishers are strong champions of sustainability. We expect a marine park that allows families, locals and visitors to continue to enjoy responsible fishing while also protecting the important Gulf ecosystem.
Our priority is to ensure any new marine park enhances community benefits, creating opportunities for better fishing experiences.
The South Coast process was divisive and caused frustration. This time, fishers expect a transparent, inclusive approach that genuinely responds to community concerns.
Today’s announcement is the start of the planning process, not the end, and no zoning detail has been proposed yet.
Once again, Recfishwest will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of WA fishers and keep you informed as this process unfolds.
