In November 2012, forty new Commonwealth marine reserves (CMRs) were proclaimed in the South-west, North-west, North, Temperate East and Coral Sea marine regions as part of the Australian Government’s contribution to the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA). This followed the establishment of the South-east network in 2007. In December 2013, management plans for these reserves were set aside pending the Commonwealth Marine Reserves Review (the CMR Review) to ensure that internal zoning and management arrangements reflected appropriate and further consultation with stakeholders, and were informed by the best available science.

Two parallel processes were established to conduct the CMR Review: a Bioregional Advisory Panel (BAP) with five Regional Panels to consult with affected and interested parties, to identify areas of contention and propose zoning arrangements, and to address these concerns; and an Expert Scientific Panel (ESP) to review and strengthen the science input into zoning, and to recommend future research and monitoring priorities and ways to address major information gaps in knowledge of the reserves. The BAP and ESP were asked to coordinate their work but to report separately.

This report from the BAP outlines the approach taken; the consultations with individuals, organisations and peak bodies; the submissions received; other inputs such as submissions to previous consultations; and the relevant findings of the ESP. The work of the BAP took into account socio-economic considerations such as the estimated economic impact of zoning options, and the impacts on local communities of including or excluding different types of activities from the reserves.