Our Hope Spot runs from the Richmond River to Brunswick River, including Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve as well as the broader Cape Byron Marine Park and related waterways. Here in Northern NSW we have a unique marine park on one of the most diverse stretches of coastline in the world, protecting high levels of biodiversity, a culturally significant site to local aboriginal communities and the basis of our tourist economy. But this important coastal region is threatened and requires many actions locally to ensure its long term protection. 

Globally, there are over 16,000 MPAs encompassing 8.2% of the world’s oceans (26,146,645 km² in 2024), but of this only 3% is considered fully protected. There are many types of MPAs, and many different zones within them. Some, such as the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (the world’s largest MPA at 1,150,000 square kilometres) are completely no-take zones. These are also known as sanctuary zones and offer the highest level of protection with no extractive activities allowed. Other areas may be managed to protect particular species, habitats, important places (like spawning grounds or cleaning stations), shipwrecks or cultural sites. These multi-use zones each have their own regulations to allow or restrict certain activities such as recreational or commercial fishing, mining, sonar, tourism, and ship transit. Most MPAs are multiple use, and combine a variety of different zones to allow extractive activities to happen alongside nature protection.  

In Australia, 17% of our ocean is protected in sanctuary zones. In general, coastal waters (within 3 nautical miles) are managed by state and territory governments and further offshore (from 3 nautical miles to the edge of Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone, 200 nautical miles offshore) is overseen by the federal government. In Commonwealth/federal waters, there are 60 Australian Marine Parks covering 43% of Australia’s waters (3.8 million km²). In NSW (in 2024) about 7.4% of the marine environment is zoned as highly protected or no-take. Scientists currently are calling for 30% of the world’s oceans to be covered by networks of highly protected marine parks by 2030. 

To read more about MPAs in NSW, check out this report by marine ecologists David Booth and Giglia Beretta 

The Marine Park was established in recognition of the high biodiversity of this area – the warm East Australian Current (EAC) mixes with cooler waters from the south creating unique subtropical marine habitats. There are many unique and threatened species to be found here including sea turtles, grey nurse sharks and little terns. It’s also been connected with humans for many thousands of years, with important cultural significance to the local Bundjalung People of Byron Bay (Arakwal). 

There’s been some form of government protection here since 1982, when pressure from locals led to the declaration of a marine reserve to protect the unique fish life and ecosystems of Julian Rocks. Stretching for 500 metres around the rocks, it was the impetus for greater protection and in 2002 the Cape Byron Marine Park was declared. In 2007, the importance of including traditional owners in management of the park was formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding between the Arakwal people and Cape Byron Marine Park. 

Within the Cape Byron Marine Park, potentially harmful activities are restricted to ensure the biodiversity continues into the future. This is managed by the Department of Primary Industries. It’s worth noting that many different activities are allowed – 53.5% of the park is a General Use zone (a wide range of activities are allowed, including commercial and recreational fishing). The Habitat Protection Zone (18.7% of the park) aims to protect specific species or habitats and reduce high impact activities, the rules in these areas vary so it’s important to understand the zoning map. The highest level of protection is the Sanctuary Zone (27.5% of the total park) – a “no take” area where only activities that don’t harm plants, animals or habitats are allowed. 

Check out the Zoning Map to see what you can do where here – Cape Byron Marine Park Zoning Map, and read more about the different zones here – Marine Park Users Guide.