The Western Australian (WA) coastline spans over 12,500 kilometres and has some of the most unique and biodiverse marine environments in the world. This includes the renowned Kimberley coast in the north, the world heritage areas of Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay on the Gascoyne coast, the South West Capes and the southern coastline into the Great Australian Bight. Just over 90% of Western Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast and our coastal areas support a diverse and sometimes competing range of recreational and commercial activities.

Since the introduction of the CALM Act, 16 MPRs have been established covering about 2.5 million hectares or nearly 20% of WA’s coastal waters:

• 13 marine parks to provide for the conservation and restoration of the natural environment, the protection of indigenous flora and fauna, and preservation of features of archaeological, historic or scientific interest. Marine parks also provide for recreational and commercial use where these activities do not compromise conservation values
• 1 marine nature reserve for conservation and scientific research. Although low-impact tourism may be permitted, no recreational or commercial fishing, aquaculture, pearling, petroleum drilling or production is allowed in these areas
• 2 marine management areas that manage and protect the marine environment so that it may be used for conservation, recreational, scientific and commercial purposes.

MPRs in WA state waters start at the coast and extend 5.5 kilometres from shore. In 2014-15 DPaW and DoF spent around $12.8 million on establishing and managing MPRs.