Campaigns
Marine Sanctuaries

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Introduction
In this section find out what NPA~Marine is doing to create a sanctuary network for NSW.

There is also a heap of information about current marine protected areas in NSW and the habitats and ecosystems we're working to protect.

The menu on the left has links to the key pages otherwise simply scroll through by clicking on the 'Next Page' links. A few pages also have additional information you can visit before returning to this scrolling menu.

Sanctuaries for our seas
Whilst National Parks protect our land, marine sanctuaries safeguard our seas.

Within sanctuaries, marine life can thrive, habitats can recover and we can enjoy our underwater world in its most natural state.

Around the world sanctuaries are allowing our oceans to surge back to life.

What is NPA~Marine doing?
NPA~Marine is advocating for a system of marine sanctuaries protecting at least 20% of NSW's most important marine habitats.

Currently with only 6.5% sanctuary protection for NSW, we fall well short of the World Conservation Union's recommended 20-30% minimum.

Working with local communities, industries, scientists and government, NPA~Marine acts on behalf of its supporters to get proper protection today, to ensure healthy seas for tomorrow.

Recent successes
NPA~Marine played a key role in the creation of the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park and the Batemans Marine Park, advocating for their establishment and for sanctuary zones to be established for their most important habitats.

The creation of these parks more than doubled the fully protected sanctuary areas for NSW oceans. We are now looking forward at ways to expand this network through the creation of fully protected marine sanctuary areas both within, and outside, of marine parks.

Current areas of focus
Whilst working towards a state-wide vision, NPA~Marine is currently concentrating on protection for the Hawkesbury Shelf Bioregion (between Newcastle and Wollongong) and the NSW section of the Twofold Shelf Bioregion (south of Tathra to the Vicotrian border) as well as for sanctuary protection of NSW key habitat sites for the critically endangered Grey Nurse Shark.

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