Ocean protection expanded
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The Albanese Government says it has officially become the world leader in ocean protection, exceeding the United Nations' 2030 target by safeguarding 52 per cent of its marine areas.
The milestone follows a recent decision to quadruple the size of the Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Parks, adding 310,000 square kilometres - an area larger than Italy - to the existing protected zones.
The expansion, formalised by the Governor-General, builds on the government’s earlier move to triple the Macquarie Island Marine Park in 2023.
The initiatives are intended to reflect Australia’s commitment to the UN’s goal of protecting 30 per cent of global oceans by 2030, set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreed in 2022.
“I’m proud that Australia now protects more ocean than any other country on Earth,” said Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek.
“This is a huge environmental win for Australia, and it’s a huge environmental win for the world.”
The newly protected marine park covers glaciers, wetlands, Australia’s only active volcanoes, and significant populations of penguins, seals, and albatrosses.
The expansion was shaped by input from researchers, conservationists, and the fishing industry.
The move aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), a global initiative aimed at reversing ocean degradation.
The latest UN progress report highlights over 500 endorsed projects worldwide, aimed at fostering marine conservation and climate resilience.
Additionally, Plibersek notes that Australia has also invested over $1 billion in Antarctic research, including funding its first expedition to the Heard and McDonald Islands in 20 years, set for the 2025-26 Antarctic season.
This investment supports global efforts ahead of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where nations will discuss further actions to safeguard marine biodiversity.
