Heard & McDonald Islands Reserve set for massive expansion

Monday 5 August, 2024.

Walrus Beach on Heard Island, part of the marine reserve that is proposed to be expanded to an area of over 300,000 square kilometres. Source: Fred Belton, ImageAntarctica

The federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek has proposed that the marine reserve around the remote Heard and McDonald Islands, southwest of WA, be expanded to an area the size of Italy. The proposal has concerned the fishing industry and left conservationists sceptical. I spoke with Austral Fisheries' Rhys Arangio, and Dr Keith Reid from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies to find out why.