On 5 December 2024, the Governor-General signed the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve) Amendment Proclamation 2024 (the Amendment Proclamation), expanding the Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Marine Reserve. The Amendment Proclamation came into effect on 24 January 2025.

Transitional management arrangements for the expanded marine reserve will come into effect from 25 January 2025.The reserve will be managed under transitional management arrangements until a new management plan is in effect, following the expiration of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan 2014-2024.

Zoning and continuing activities

The HIMI Marine Reserve will now have three zone types:

  • Pink/Sanctuary Zone/IUCN Category I
  • Green/National Park Zone/IUCN Category II
  • Yellow/Habitat Protection Zone/IUCN Category IV.

Maps of the reserve, including maps with these zones, are available on the HIMI Mapping page

Zoning determines what activities can take place in different zoned areas of the reserve. Yellow zoning allows limited extractive activities including some types of commercial fishing. In green and pink zones, only certain activities that are primarily for the purposes of scientific research and environmental monitoring are allowed.

During the transitional management period, only those activities that are specified in the approval instruments are allowed.

Assessment of activities under the transitional management arrangements

With limited exceptions, almost all activities in the HIMI Marine Reserve require assessment and authorisation by the Australian Antarctic Division to determine if and how they can proceed. This assessment ensures that the values of the marine reserve are protected, and that any potential risks to its values are mitigated to the greatest extent possible.

During the transitional management period all proposed activities in the HIMI Marine Reserve must be managed in accordance with the Australian IUCN reserve management principles (Schedule 8 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000), drawing on the approach to management of the marine reserve prior to 14 October 2024 as appropriate, however the expired management plan is no longer legally in effect.

If you are considering undertaking activities in the HIMI Marine Reserve please go to HIMI Permits or contact the Antarctic and Environmental Regulation Section at EIA@aad.gov.au.

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