Australia’s government has signed off on a massive expansion of a marine park, meaning the country now protects 52% of its oceans—more than any other country on earth.
This comes close to doubling the 30% target the government agreed to as part of a UN nature treaty in 2022. The Albanese Labor Government signed off on a massive 310,000 square kilometer expansion of the sub-Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Park, quadrupling it in size. The country notes the protected area is larger than the entire country of Italy and will provide greater protections for Australia’s unique ecosystems.
Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water said, “I’m proud that Australia now protects more ocean than any other country on earth. This is not just a huge environmental win for Australia, it’s a huge environmental win for the world.”
Heard and McDonald Islands are home to glaciers and wetlands, Australia’s only active volcanoes, and diverse and significant populations of penguins, seals and albatrosses.
This decision comes after extensive consultation with researchers, conservationists and the fishing industry. The design supports the sustainable, well-established fishery in the region.
Last year the Albanese Government tripled the size of Macquarie Island Marine Park – another sub-Antarctic wildlife wonderland. The country said it was the largest contribution to ocean conservation anywhere in the world in 2023.
“From the Great Barrier Reef to sub-Antarctic wildlife wonderlands like Heard and McDonald Islands, there are so few places on earth that can be described as truly pristine wilderness. Heard and McDonald Islands is such a place,” Plibersek said. “Nature thrives there without us.”
