New approach to designating marine protected areas

Interviews with scientists on new method to set up Australian marine protected areas. A 3-year science project led by the National Oceans Office in Hobart has divided Australia's deep water into ecological regions.

Marine Bioregional Planning

Australia's world-leading program of regional marine planning has been brought directly under federal environment law to provide a clearer focus on conservation and sustainable management of the marine environment and offer greater certainty for industry.

National Marine Bioregionalisation

The National Marine Bioregionalisation of Australia is a major scientific project co-ordinated by the Department of the Environment and Heritage (National Oceans Office), designed to help define ecosystem boundaries in Australia's ocean territory.

Exotic shellfish posing major threat © 7.30 Report ABC TV

The New Zealand screwshell is smothering parts of the eastern seaboard and scientists warn it poses a major threat to native marine life as well as to the commercial seafood industry.