Visitors to one of Australia’s newest marine parks are being warned to check the rules before arriving, as no-fishing zones are about to be enforced.
From July 19, new zoning rules across the Bardi Jawi Gaarra Marine Park in Western Australia’s Kimberley region will officially take effect, changing where fishers can cast a line.
Under the new rules, a quarter of the 204,000-hectare marine park will become sanctuary zones, where no fishing or collecting is allowed.
A spokesperson from WA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development told Yahoo News those found fishing in the zone could face a $400 fine.
“More serious matters referred to court can attract a fine of up to $5,000, as well as an additional penalty of up to 10 times the value of any fish involved,” the spokesperson said.
More than half the park will be off-limits to recreational fishers.
(Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions of Western Australia)
Sanctuary zones are ‘look but don’t take’ zones, managed for nature conservation and low-impact recreation and tourism — such as diving and snorkelling.
A further 26 per cent of the park is slated as cultural protection zones, where fishing is only allowed as part of a licensed commercial tour and commercial trochus (sea snail) collection is permitted.
47 per cent of the park will be general use zones, where recreational and commercial fishing is allowed. The remaining two per cent will become biocultural conservation zones — areas that also allow recreational fishing and some forms of commercial fishing.
The four zoning types will come in to effect from July 19.
(Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions of Western Australia)$400 fines for ignoring no-fishing zones
The new zones have been in the works for several years, and will finally come into play after a 12-month education period.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) Senior Operations Manager Matt Gogoll urged fishers to check the new requirements before spending the day out on the water.
“I encourage anyone heading out on the water to familiarise themselves with zone maps and make sure they are only fishing within the permitted area so they don’t risk fines or prosecution,” Mr Gogoll said.
Fishing will be banned from large sections of the marine park.
(Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions of Western Australia)
From Sunday, compliance officers will begin actively enforcing the zoning.
The department said park’s zoning was gazetted in mid-2025, followed by a 12-month education and grace period to give fishers time to understand the new arrangements and prepare for compliance.
Customary hunting, fishing and ceremonial activities undertaken by Bardi and Jawi Traditional Owners will continue to be permitted throughout the entire marine park.
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