Australia’s system of 60 Australian Marine Parks (AMPs) covers 3.8 million km2, about 43% of Australia’s marine jurisdiction, and protects important natural, social and cultural values. Working with strategic partners such as the National Environmental Science Program (NESP), Parks Australia is developing management effectiveness programs and systems to support adaptive management of the AMPs. Here, we present progress towards the development of a scalable national monitoring program that provides an understanding how our marine parks are changing.
This work builds upon a series of NESP projects that helped provide critical elements of Parks Australia’s management effectiveness system, prioritise monitoring needs and develop data products that are “fit-for-purpose”. This program of work is now focussed on 1) updating key spatial products for ecosystems and key natural values, activities, and cumulative impacts; 2) developing monitoring protocols and implementing surveys in key AMPs; 3) assessing status and trend for natural values, activities, social and economic benefits, and pressures.
The program will evaluate effectiveness of zoning arrangements and management approaches and assess the effectiveness of interventions. It will also provide information on current thinking about how this information will be used to help inform reviews of Australian Marine Parks management plans in 2028.