marine conservation – National Parks Association of NSW

NSW Marine Parks Forum pushes for 30% highly protected waters

Posted by NPA NSWon March 31, 2026March 31, 2026in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

Conservationists, scientists, politicians, Indigenous representatives and other ocean advocates are gathering today in Sydney for the 3rd NSW Marine Parks Forum to chart a pathway toward delivering 30 per cent marine protection across NSW’s state marine environments.

Australia has committed to protecting at least 30 per cent of its land and oceans by 2030 under the Global Biodiversity Framework, a commitment recently reaffirmed by Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt through support for expanding highly protected areas in Australian waters. The NSW Marine Parks Forum comes at a critical moment for the future protection of NSW’s marine environments.

The ‘hard yards’ needed to conserve Australia’s marine environment

Posted by NPA NSWon December 1, 2025December 1, 2025in Summer 2025Leave a comment

Dr Jonathon Howard, NPA Executive member

The Draft Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan was recently released for public comment. It sets out a vision to 2040. It highlights the outcomes Australia wants to achieve, and identifies opportunities for collective national action to help tackle key challenges while supporting people’s livelihoods and our growing ocean economy.

NPA NSW wins Valerie Taylor Awards for NSW Marine Parks Forum

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2025August 26, 2025in Spring 2025Leave a comment

Danielle Ryan
Conservation Campaigner, NPA NSW

Ocean conservationists and scientists gathered at the Maritime Museum Friday 8^th August 2025 to celebrate Ocean Legend Valerie Taylor and the next generation of ocean conservationists. NPA’s conservation campaigner Danielle Ryan won the big prize of the night, a beautifully handcrafted bronze seahorse statue for their work on the NSW Marine Parks Forum. The seahorse artwork was made by the organiser of the prize Merran Hughes, Blue World Foundation. Other prize winners included ocean conservationists, who are also NPA members, including Nicole McMahon, Emily Rowland, and Sam Nerrie.

NSW ‘Love Our Sanctuaries’ film nights

Posted by NPA NSWon November 28, 2024November 28, 2024in Summer 2024Leave a comment

James Sherwood, Conservation Campaigner

NPA NSW recently completed co-hosting the Love Our Sanctuaries film nights with the Australian Marine Conservation Society, highlighting the low levels of marine sanctuary protection across NSW’s six bioregions. Nine events were held across twelve days, stretching from Coffs Harbour to Merimbula. Over 1,200 people registered for the free events which were all well attended.

Does a species need to be on the brink of extinction for it to be protected?

Posted by NPA NSWon May 30, 2024May 30, 2024in Winter 2024Leave a comment

James Sherwood, Conservation Campaigner NPA NSW

The recent listing of the Eastern Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) as a protected species in NSW has been met with jubilation from the conservation community and disbelief from the recreational fishing lobby.

The Eastern Blue Groper is not immediately under threat from extinction but has come close in the past. Between 1952-1967, the species declined by 90% and so spearfishers campaigned for the protection of the species, which led to full protection in 1969.

New South Wales in hot water

Posted by NPA NSWon May 29, 2024May 30, 2024in Winter 2024Leave a comment

James Sherwood, Conservation Campaigner, National Parks Association of NSW

Reports of 28-degree water temperature inside Pittwater Heads over autumn has made diving off Sydney coast more appealing than ever before. The sad reality, however, is the ecological cost of this year’s marine heatwave may cause irreversible changes to our marine environment along the NSW coast.