Proposed proclamation to amend the boundaries of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve

In 2002 the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve (the Marine Reserve) was declared a Commonwealth reserve under the EPBC Act. The Marine Reserve covers an area of 65 000 square kilometres and was established for the purpose of protecting the conservation values of Heard Island and McDonald Islands and the adjacent unique and vulnerable marine ecosystems.

At the same time, four areas adjoining the Marine Reserve which had been proposed for inclusion in the Marine Reserve were declared a conservation zone under section 390D of the EPBC Act, while further assessments were undertaken to ascertain if they should be included in the Marine Reserve. 

The assessment of the conservation zone has now been completed. It proposes that an area comprising 6 200 square kilometres, or 54 per cent of the conservation zone, be added to the Marine Reserve on the basis of its high conservation value. It is also proposed that the area not included in the Marine Reserve have its conservation zone status revoked through an additional proclamation.

The proposed area for inclusion in the Marine Reserve has been developed in consultation with the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Stakeholder Group (which includes representatives from government, the fishing industry and conservation groups).

The public are invited to comment on the proposed proclamation. A summary proposal document [Word 1.7MB] containing maps of the proposed areas and detailed boundary descriptions have been prepared by the Australian Antarctic Division to assist the consultation process.  Comments may be sent to the attention of:

Lihini Weragoda
Australian Antarctic Division
203 Channel Hwy
Kingston TAS 7050
or via email to HIMIMarineReserveExtension@aad.gov.au

Comments must be sent by 22 February 2012. Comments sent after that date cannot be considered in the making of the Proclamation. Further information can be obtained from the Australian Antarctic Division via the address above.