Govind Tekale
Australia’s first marine park co-designed with Traditional Owners has been finalized in Western Australia. The Bardi Jawi Gaarra Marine Park covers 204,000 hectares in the Kimberley’s Buccaneer Archipelago, protecting an area about 10 times larger than Sydney Harbour.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) officially gazetted the zoning scheme on July 18, 2025. The park’s name “Gaarra” comes from the Bardi and Jawi word for saltwater.
“The special purpose zones highlight the importance of these waters to the culture and heritage of the Bardi and Jawi Traditional Owners,” said Kevin Bancroft, DBCA Buccaneer Archipelago Parks Coordinator.
The marine park uses four zone types:
- General use zones
- Sanctuary zones (“look but don’t take”)
- Special purpose (biocultural conservation) zones
- Special purpose (cultural protection) zones
Recreational fishing will continue in general use and biocultural conservation zones. In cultural protection zones, fishing will only be permitted through authorized tourism operations. A 12-month transition period means restrictions start in July 2026.
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The Kimberley – Like Nowhere Else and its 17,000 supporters helped establish this marine park by submitting feedback to the WA government, as confirmed by Western Australian Naturalists’ Club. DBCA recorded 17,453 public submissions that shaped the final park design.
The park safeguards habitat for humpback whales, turtles, dugongs, and rare corals. This protection comes at a critical time, as DBCA reported extensive coral bleaching along WA’s north-west coast following the 2024 marine heatwave.
Commercial fishing can continue in general use zones, but faces restrictions in special purpose zones. A compensation process for affected commercial fishers will begin in 2025, coordinated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Bardi Jawi Gaarra is one of three marine parks announced in 2022 for the Buccaneer Archipelago. Together with the Mayala and Lalang-gaddam parks, they protect over 600,000 hectares of Kimberley Sea Country.
What It Means For Visitors:
- Check zoning maps before fishing (new rules start July 2026)
- Tourism operations continue with special provisions in cultural zones
- Wildlife viewing opportunities for whales, turtles, and dugongs
- Maps and visitor information available on the Explore Parks WA website
For more information, visit the DBCA website or Explore Parks WA for detailed maps and guidelines.
