AFTA will provide regular information notes for members on the Commonwealth Marine Parks Review and the 30 x 2030 process.
August 4, 2026
Review Info Note 1
In response to enquiries from AFTA members re: Victoria, we advise that the current review of the 30 x 30 Commonwealth Marine Park excludes Victorian waters. The South-East Network (Victoria) is not part of the current 2025–2028 management plan review.
The review covers five management plans: the Temperate East Network, North Network, North-west Network, South-west Network and Coral Sea Marine Park. These plans collectively cover 44 Australian Marine Parks and are the mechanism the Australian Government uses to achieve the 30×30 highly protected target.
The South-east Marine Parks Network was reviewed separately between 2022 and 2024. A new management plan came into effect on 13 February 2025, incorporating some zoning changes at Zeehan, Flinders, Freycinet and Beagle marine parks. Consequently, it’s not being re-opened as part of the current review.
However, there’s a caveat: while the South-east Network isn’t included in the current statutory management plan review, the Australian Government could propose future changes through a separate legal process if it chose to. There’s no indication at present that this is planned.
Have Your Say: Australian Marine Parks Review
The Director of National Parks has opened public consultation to inform new management plans and proposed changes to several Australian Marine Parks. AFTA is seeking input from members with direct knowledge, business interests or local experience in the affected areas to help shape our formal submission.
What is being reviewed?
- New management plans for 44 Australian Marine Parks across the North, North‑west, South‑west and Temperate East Networks, the Coral Sea Marine Park, and a new stand‑alone plan for Norfolk Marine Park; and
- Proposals to expand Norfolk and Lord Howe Marine Parks, along with proposed changes to Norfolk, Lord Howe and Gifford Marine Parks.
Public comment closes at 4:00pm AEST on 30 September 2026.
These proposals may have significant implications for recreational fishing access, participation and businesses across the industry. AFTA will prepare a formal submission and is establishing a member committee to ensure our response reflects practical, on-the-ground experience.
Member committee
AFTA is seeking expressions of interest from members to join a committee that will:
- review the consultation materials and consider the independent evaluation findings
- identify key issues for members and help shape AFTA’s submission.
- provide local knowledge and workable alternatives; and
- help shape AFTA’s submission to government.
The committee will operate primarily via Microsoft Teams meetings and email during the consultation period.
Members do not need to be policy experts. We are looking for people with relevant local, operational or business experience who can contribute to a small number of meetings and provide input as the submission is developed.
How to register your interest
If you are an AFTA member with direct knowledge, business interests or local experience in any of the affected networks or marine parks, please email admin@afta.net.au by Monday, 10 August. Include your name, business, contact details, and the marine park, network or region you are most familiar with. AFTA will contact interested members after Monday, 10 August with further details.
Strong member input will help AFTA present an informed and practical industry position and advocate for the best possible outcome for recreational fishing and our members.
Make your own submission
Members may also wish to make their own submission directly to government through the Department’s Have Your Say platform:
- Draft management plans for 44 Australian Marine Parks
- Proposed changes to Norfolk, Lord Howe and Gifford Marine Parks
Further details, including hard-copy submission options and independent evaluation reports, are available on the Department’s website.
AFTA will continue to monitor the review process and provide members with further updates as more information becomes available.
Thank you for helping ensure AFTA’s response reflects the views and experience of members across the industry.