Australia's First Indigenously Co-Designed Marine Park Protects 204,000 Hectares

Govind Tekale

Australia's first marine park co-designed with Traditional Owners has been finalized in Western Australia, covering 204,000 hectares of the spectacular Kimberley coastline.

1. Photo Source: Claire Ross (Flickr)

The Bardi Jawi Gaarra Marine Park, named using the Bardi and Jawi word for "saltwater," spans an area of the Buccaneer Archipelago with some of Australia's most pristine waters.

1. Photo Source: Yunus Tug (Pexels)

What makes this marine park different from others? Traditional Owners worked directly with government officials to design protections that honor both conservation needs and Indigenous culture.

1. Photo Source: John Benwell (Flickr)

Sanctuary zones within the park cover an area approximately 10 times larger than Sydney Harbour, providing "look but don't take" protection for vulnerable marine species.

Photo Source: achtung ! GmbH (Pexels)

The marine park uses four specialized zone types to balance conservation with recreational and commercial use, allowing activities in some areas while restricting others.

Photo Source: Philip Schubert (Flickr)

DBCA's Kevin Bancroft explains: "The special purpose zones highlight the importance of these waters to the culture and heritage of the Bardi and Jawi Traditional Owners.

Photo Source: Ian Cochrane (Flickr)

For recreational fishers, nearly half the park remains open for fishing in general use and biocultural conservation zones, with restrictions beginning July 2026.

Photo Source: sheyneg (Flickr)

A remarkable 17,453 public submissions helped shape the final design of the marine park—evidence of strong community support for protecting these waters.

1. Photo Source: Salty Wings

The park safeguards critical habitat for humpback whales, turtles, dugongs, and rare corals at a time when marine heatwaves threaten Western Australia's coast.

1. Photo Source:  ABC News

How will commercial fishing be affected? While allowed to continue in general use zones, a compensation process begins in 2025 for those impacted by new restrictions.

Photo Source: Wordpress.com

The Bardi Jawi Gaarra is part of a network with Mayala and Lalang-gaddam parks, together protecting over 600,000 hectares of Kimberley Sea Country.

1. Photo Source: WA PARKS foundation

What does this mean for visitors? Check zoning maps before fishing, enjoy wildlife viewing opportunities, and prepare for new rules that start July 2026.

1. Photo Source: Aussie Bucket List

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