SoE 2006 > Biodiversity > 6.7 Aquatic protected areas

6.7 Aquatic protected areas

There has been significant progress toward the development of a representative marine protected-area system, but inland wetlands and riverine ecosystems are disproportionately under-represented in the terrestrial reserve system.

In May 2006, the marine park system covered 345,500 hectares or 34% of NSW coastal waters. During the current reporting cycle, the reserve system has more than doubled in size.

A relatively small proportion of inland wetlands are protected in the terrestrial reserve system, although there have been some significant recent additions.

By contrast, estuaries and coastal wetlands are much better protected with 45% of the coastline, 27% of coastal lakes and lagoons, and 12% of estuarine wetlands within the terrestrial reserve system.

A more systematic assessment of wetlands is needed to guide their reservation, as has occurred for terrestrial and marine ecosystems more generally.

NSW indicators

Introduction

The conservation of biodiversity, including aquatic biodiversity, requires the protection of representative examples of all major ecosystem types, coupled with sympathetic management of ecosystems outside those protected areas (UNEP 1992). Protected areas are the single most important tool used in biodiversity conservation programs throughout the world (ESA 2003). They also support ecosystem functions beyond their boundaries and have significant economic and cultural benefits (Nevill & Phillips 2004).

To safeguard aquatic biodiversity, the World Conservation Congress recommends the establishment of a representative freshwater protected area system, similar to the systematic planning approach used in terrestrial and marine systems (IUCN 2004). The cost of rehabilitating wetland areas after degradation far exceeds the cost of protecting them in the first place (Bernhardt et al. 2005).

Current status and trends

Marine protected areas

Marine protected areas are a major tool for conserving marine biodiversity and protecting marine habitats (Kelleher et al. 1995; Lubchenco et al. 2003). Studies have shown that even small reserves can result in increases in population densities, biomass, average organism size and species diversity (Halpern 2003). Map 6.6 shows the marine protected areas in NSW in 2006.

Map 6.6: NSW marine protected areas

Source: MPA data 2006; DPI data 2006; DEC data 2006

The NSW Government is committed to establishing a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine protected areas and implementing a monitoring, research and evaluation program for all marine parks in line with national and international commitments (NSW Government 2001). As a result, a system of representative reserves is progressively being established along the coast of NSW with the primary goal of conserving marine biodiversity (NSW Government 2001; Creese & Breen 2003).

Three different types of marine protected areas are recognised in NSW, together with some other areas protected under national and international legislation or agreements. Table 6.15 outlines the types of marine protected areas in NSW.

Table 6.15: Types of NSW marine protected areas

The Marine Parks Authority (MPA) has completed broadscale biodiversity assessments of all marine bioregions in NSW waters to identify areas with important biodiversity values. Marine protected areas are typically established in response to the findings of these bioregional assessments.

The NSW system of marine protected areas has expanded progressively since 1995. Over this period it has grown to incorporate over 345,500 ha representing 34% of NSW coastal waters. Since SoE 2003, more than 180,000 ha has been added to the NSW system of marine protected areas, including the newly gazetted Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park (98,000 ha) and the Batemans Marine Park (85,100 ha).

Marine park zoning plans typically allow for a range of uses. The highly protected 'sanctuary' zones do not permit any fishing and collecting. 'Habitat protection' zones also afford a high level of protection, but allow for a range of recreational and some commercial fishing activities that do not harm habitat or significantly affect fish populations.

Table 6.16 shows the marine protected areas and current proportions of NSW waters in marine parks, including sanctuary and habitat protection zones. With zoning plans finalised for four of the six marine parks, 3.1% of State waters are included in sanctuary zones. These areas are complemented by habitat protection zones which currently account for 9% of NSW waters.

Zoning plans, including sanctuary zones and habitat protection zones, are presently being developed for the Port Stephens–Great Lakes and Batemans marine parks.

Table 6.16: NSW marine protected areas

Source: DEC data 2006; DPI data 2006

While targets for the extent of sanctuary zones in NSW waters have not been established, a number of modelling studies have suggested protection of 20–50% of the sea from fishing is necessary to adequately conserve biodiversity (Roberts & Hawkings, 2000; IUCN 2003; UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution 2004; Pew Institute for Ocean Science 2005) and to protect the viability of populations of marine species (Ponder et al. 2002).

National parks and reserves contain significant and extensive areas of marine ecosystems and habitats. About 45% (739 kilometres) of the NSW mainland and island ocean coastline is contained in protected areas. The total area of marine ecosystems and habitats in the NSW protected area system is around 21,500 ha, including about 11% of the area of NSW estuaries.

A total of 136 parks contain marine ecosystems, including 67 with oceanic and estuary shoreline ecosystems only and a further 69 that contain intertidal and/or subtidal marine ecosystems (Table 6.17).

Table 6.17: Number of parks and reserves containing marine and coastal ecosystems

Source: DEC 2005

Many marine habitats in reserves are considered vulnerable to human activities. These include saltmarshes, mangroves, seagrass beds, intertidal rocky shores, wave-dominated estuaries, shorebird habitats, primary seal haul-out sites and seabird breeding areas. A total of 23 parks contain four or more vulnerable marine habitats.

Inland and coastal wetland reservation

Effective conservation of freshwater ecosystems requires reservation of land under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, (NPW Act) Ramsar listing or through other means. Studies suggest that the size of the protected area and the management of the surrounding catchment are critical for effectively protecting aquatic biodiversity (Nevill 2004; Kingsford et al. 2005b). More importantly, the condition and protection of aquatic ecosystems relies heavily on adequate environmental flows and sympathetic management of land and water by government and surrounding landowners (see Water 5.1).

Systematic planning approaches have been used extensively in developing terrestrial and marine protected areas, but not specifically for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems.

Wetlands are under-represented in the NSW reserve system with most of the State's wetlands located on private and leasehold land (Kingsford & Nevill 2005). Ninety-six per cent of all wetlands occur within inland catchments west of the Great Dividing Range, and approximately 20% of these are listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia (DEH 2001). However, only 2.4% of inland wetlands are within the NSW reserve system. Floodplain wetlands and freshwater lakes are significantly under-represented in the reserve system, while saline lakes are not represented at all (Kingsford et al. 2004a) (Table 6.18).

Of 164 coastal wetland communities remaining on the NSW North Coast, only 19 (mainly heathland communities associated with dunal environments) are adequately represented in the reserve system (Griffith 2005). Table 6.18 outlines the level of protection of coastal wetlands in NSW.

Table 6.18: Wetland areas in NSW subject to various land conservation measures

Source: Modified from Kingsford et al. 2004a

Notes: ^(a) SEPP 14: State Environmental Planning Policy 14 – Coastal Wetlands

In 2005, the NSW Government announced the first of the State's wild rivers, under the NPW Act. The 200 kilometres of wild rivers are:

• Washpool Creek, where it flows through Washpool National Park
• the stretch of the upper Brogo River in Wadbilliga National Park
• the Kowmung River, where it flows through Kanangra–Boyd National Park
• the upper Hastings and Forbes rivers, where they flow through Werrikimbe National Park.

Declared wild rivers are managed to ensure the restoration and maintenance of their natural biological, hydrological and geomorphological processes, including natural flow variability.

Ramsar listing provides international recognition of the need to protect and manage important wetland values. NSW has 11 Ramsar-listed sites, with another submitted to the Commonwealth for support (see Map 6.5). Table 6.19 provides details of NSW Ramsar wetlands.

Table 6.19: NSW Ramsar wetlands

Source: NSW Ramsar Managers Network March 2005

Response to the issue

The NSW Government is establishing a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine protected areas. This will include a network of marine parks, marine areas of national parks and nature reserves, and aquatic reserves. Zoning plans for Cape Byron, Solitary Islands, Jervis Bay and Lord Howe Island marine parks are being implemented and those for Port Stephens–Great Lakes and Batemans marine parks are being prepared.

The NSW Government has indicated that the NSW waters of each bioregion will, in most instances, be represented by at least one marine park (NSW Government 2001). While the Hawkesbury Shelf and Twofold Shelf bioregions do not have any marine parks, there are other types of marine protected areas within them, and the Victorian section of Twofold Shelf contains four marine parks within its boundaries. The Government has noted that there are no plans to declare a marine park in either bioregion.

The Marine Parks Authority has developed a five-year strategic research plan (2005–10) and annual research work plans for individual marine parks. Priority areas for research are the identification and selection of marine parks and their zones, and monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of zoning and other related management arrangements (MPA 2004; MPA 2005).

Inland and coastal wetlands are being identified for action, including establishing and managing a network of protected areas on the North Coast, improving environmental flows, and influencing planning decisions that have an impact on wetlands (see Biodiversity 6.6).

In 2005, the NSW Government negotiated the purchase of the 80,000-ha Yanga Station for the establishment of a new national park. 'Yanga', which is the single largest freehold property in NSW, lies in the Riverina and Murray–Darling Depression bioregions. The property is notable for its red gum forests and associated wetlands, including the Lowbidgee wetland system, 12 distinct vegetation types, and habitat for a large number of threatened animal species.

NSW is seeking Commonwealth support for declaration as a Ramsar wetland of the Nocoleche Nature Reserve and the Peery component of the Paroo–Darling National Park (135,267 ha). The Paroo River is the last free-flowing river in the Murray–Darling Basin and is a unique example of a near-natural arid inland wetland system. It supports a number of threatened species and ecological communities and is a significant refuge for biodiversity.

Future directions

The ongoing commitment to establishing a representative system of marine protected areas in NSW should be maintained. Zoning plans for all marine parks will support biodiversity conservation and other sustainable uses.

No targets or guidelines have been adopted for the level of protection needed within marine parks to ensure that conservation outcomes are achieved. Further monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of these zones in protecting biodiversity will be undertaken as part of the Marine Parks Authority's strategic research plan.

Improved coordination and integration of management of the coastal reserve system and marine protected areas is desirable to optimise outcomes across all marine and coastal ecosystems.

Wetlands are not adequately represented in the terrestrial reserve system at present and there is a need to ensure that under-represented types are added to the reserve system. Greater consideration needs to be given to the adequate assessment of current assets as well as the further protection of wetlands in the planning processes for the terrestrial reserve system.

Reservation alone is insufficient to afford adequate protection for wetlands. Wetland health is heavily dependent on the adequacy and surety of water flows and these should be critical determinants in selecting wetlands for protection. An important priority should be to protect major rivers that are unregulated and wetlands that are substantially intact.