Australia’s network of marine parks is failing to protect the country’s most fragile coastal ecosystems, according to more than 270 leading marine scientists who have jointly called on the government to overhaul the system. In an open letter to environment minister Murray Watt, the researchers argue that the current design of marine protected areas concentrates protection in remote, offshore regions while leaving nearshore waters — where biodiversity is richest and human pressures are greatest — largely unprotected.
The letter comes as the federal government begins a once-in-a-decade review of Australia’s marine parks, a process that will determine the future of the network that spans millions of square kilometres of ocean. The scientists, representing 84 research institutions across the country and internationally, say the review is a critical opportunity to correct what they describe as a fundamental imbalance in how marine protection is allocated.
“The current system protects places no one goes,” the letter states, pointing out that many of the most strictly protected zones are located in remote areas with little commercial or recreational activity, while coastal zones that support diverse ecosystems and face significant threats from pollution, development, and climate change receive far less protection. The researchers warn that this approach undermines the very purpose of marine parks, which is to safeguard the full range of marine life and the services these ecosystems provide.
The scientists are urging the government to establish stronger protections for what they call “unique and distinct” marine ecosystems along Australia’s coastline. These include kelp forests, seagrass meadows, mangrove stands, and coral reefs that are not only biologically rich but also vital to local communities, fisheries, and tourism. The letter emphasizes that these habitats are under increasing pressure from rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events, making their protection more urgent than ever.
Australia’s marine park network, established in its current form in 2012, covers a vast area of the country’s exclusive economic zone. However, the scientists argue that the distribution of protection levels is skewed. While some offshore regions are designated as highly protected “no-take” zones, many coastal areas remain open to activities such as commercial fishing, trawling, and other extractive industries that can damage sensitive habitats.
The review, which is expected to run over the coming months, will consider the ecological, social, and economic performance of the marine parks. The scientists’ letter is one of the first major interventions in the process, and it is likely to intensify debate over how Australia balances conservation with commercial interests. The researchers stress that they are not opposed to sustainable use of marine resources, but they argue that the current system fails to deliver the conservation outcomes that marine parks are designed to achieve.
“We have a unique opportunity to get this right,” the letter concludes. “The science is clear: coastal marine ecosystems are among the most productive and most threatened on Earth. Protecting them is not just an environmental imperative; it is essential for the health and well-being of future generations.”
The environment minister has not yet responded publicly to the letter, but the review is expected to include extensive consultation with scientists, industry, and the public. The outcome will shape the future of Australia’s marine estate for the next decade and beyond.
