In August 2026, more than 275 of the world’s top marine scientists from 25 countries released a statement advocating for a more effective marine park sanctuary system. (See link to statement below.)
This warning has arisen from the Commonwealth’s once in a decade marine park management review. It was found that less than 10 per cent of Commonwealth waters surrounding Australia were under strict protection -- well below the recommended degree of conservation required to maintain healthy and regenerative oceans.
The scientists called for at least 30 per cent of Australia's marine bioregions to be highly protected sanctuaries, calling for the removal of industrial extractive activities including trawling, longlining and mining. Marine extraction activities such as oil mining and industrial fishing are incredibly destructive to the environment and ecosystems that exist in our oceans.
There are also calls from scientists for increased attention to resource park management and investment into national education initiatives about marine park protection and conservation.
An example of harmful marine extraction is bottom trawling, a form of industrial fishing that involves bulldozing the seafloor with weighted nets to collect fish. This results in mass deforestation of underwater forests, releases harmful levels of carbon dioxide into the environment, and pollutes the oceans with bycatch. Bycatch is unwanted marine life that is incidentally captured in nets and injured or killed as a result. This practice creates long-term impacts on our oceans’ sustainability.
Weighted nets capturing fish during bottom trawling process. Courtesy: Flickr/CC
‘Bottom trawling and mining remain permitted across roughly one-third of mainland Commonwealth marine parks, even as our oceans face mounting pressure from marine heatwaves, habitat degradation, pollution and expanding ocean use,’ said Professor Jessica Meuwig AM, a conservationist at the University of Western Australia and co-author of the statement. She added: ‘If we are serious about resilient oceans, that needs to change.’
The practice of adequate and effective resource park management was proposed by scientists behind the statement, who argued management is currently inefficient for conservation protections. In the statement, the marine parks were referred to as ‘paper parks’ which is a term used to describe protected areas that exist in the law and in government maps, but lack the management, funding, or enforcement needed to conserve and protect the zones.
Marine scientists recommended an elevated level of management, enforcement, monitoring, research, and community engagement within marine parks as a means of improving the overall protection and conservation of ocean sanctuaries.
With the aim of improving public understanding of marine conservation and promoting environmentally conscious behaviours, the statement called for the investment of national communications and educational schemes.
The NSW Marine Estate, a NSW Government initiative, released information in July 2026: 'Education to protect and conserve marine wildlife', that details the various programs the government intends to implement throughout New South Wales.
So far, the initiatives have included the release of the NSW seabird identification guide: for identifying seabird species and short-term rehabilitation; the Marine mammal approach distances guide: a guideline for appropriate approach distances for various marine species; and partnering with whale watching operators to instruct expert, environmentally conscious whale watching tour practices.
Coordinated by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, educational talks on marine wildlife have been conducted in schools and community groups across coastal NSW. The talks discussed subjects such as marine conservation, wildlife education, and specific information on species for communities living in close proximity.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has recently introduced the NSW Marine Estate Education Strategy. The strategy aims to promote awareness, care, and engagement with the marine estate. The Marine Estate Agents program will be implemented in the NSW syllabus for primary school students through Years 1-6, and intends to foster lifelong learning of the marine environment
Through expansion of protected marine parks, enforced government regulations, and marine education programs, it is the hope of scientists that our oceans can begin to recuperate and its ecosystems can recover from long-term damage.
Read the official statement here: Securing a Resilient Future for Australia's Oceans
Article by Lydia Koulaouzos
Photo by May Law: https://www.pexels.com/photo/underwater-photography-of-turtle-and-fish-near-coral-reef-4702369/