Jurien Bay Marine Park

The Jurien Bay Marine Park is a protected marine park located off the coastal tip of the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.

It was formally declared on 31 August 2003 and covers an area of 82,375 hectares. The park includes several islands in the region and is named after the French naval administrator, Charles-Marie Jurien de la Gravière.

Approximately 12% of West Australian waters are within marine parks and reserves, with around 2.4% designated as a sanctuary zone. The Jurien Bay Marine Park has a small part allocated as a sanctuary, subject to specific fisheries regulations.

The marine areas off Jurien Bay are rich in biodiversity due to the overlapping of the tropical north and temperate south biogeographic regions. The warm Leeuwin Current, which runs along the eastern boundary of the Indian Ocean, supports a variety of plant and animal species. Seabird breeding areas, sea lions, and temperate reefs can be found in the park, along with extensive seagrass meadows that serve as nursery areas for Western rock lobsters.

Visitors to the Jurien Bay Marine Park can explore the offshore reefs and islands to witness the diverse marine life. They can also interact with seals, sea lions, and dolphins. Activities such as swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and fishing are popular in the area.

The Marine Park is administered by the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority and managed in partnership with the local community by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Fisheries, commercial and recreational fishing, and aquaculture within the marine park are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Fisheries. The town of Jurien Bay, located near the expanding aquaculture industry, has a modern boat harbour