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...

In response to a range of concerns raised by a number of parties about the 40 new Commonwealth marine reserves (CMRs) established in 2012, the Australian Government initiated a review of the design and management of these reserves. Key concerns were the adequacy of consultation and the scientific evidence underpinning the establishment of the reserves...