Australia protects half its oceans but questions remain over real impact
Australia protects 52 per cent of ocean territory but only 24 per cent bans fishing and mining.
Australia's 60-plus marine protected areas span from tropical northern reefs to sub-Antarctic waters, covering more than half the nation's ocean territory. Experts warn the broad figure masks gaps in enforcement: bottom trawling still operates across nearly 13 million hectares of offshore marine parks, an area almost twice the size of Tasmania.
Even in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, commercial trawlers fish for prawns, scallops and squid in general-use zones. Australia ratified the High Seas Treaty in September to help protect international waters where fish stocks move across borders.
A once-in-a-decade review of Australia's marine parks is updating management plans due to expire in 2028.
- 52 per cent
- Ocean territory protected
- 24 per cent
- Highly protected (no fishing/mining)
- 13 million hectares
- Area with bottom trawling
- 60 plus
- Marine Protected Areas
Why it mattersThe strength of ocean protection depends on where protected areas are and what activities they actually ban, not just how much ocean is designated.
AustraliaAustralia leads the world in ocean protection, but gaps in enforcement could weaken Australian fisheries as migratory species face unprotected fishing grounds beyond national waters.
