Exmouth Gulf needs very high level of protection as a priority environment watchdog

A “very high level” of formal protection should be cast over the eastern and southern ends of the globally significant biodiversity hotspot of the Exmouth Gulf to mitigate development pressures, a new report from Western Australia’s environmental watchdog has recommended.

The findings from a report into the cumulative effects of development on the gulf, released by the WA Environmental Protection Authority on Friday, puts industrial proponents and the state’s environment minister on notice over the management of the region’s natural assets.

Exmouth Gulf mangroves are such vital nurseries some species’ reproductive systems evolved to depend on them. Credit:Blue Media

The gulf â€" a 2600 square kilometre body of water which lies adjacent to a limestone peninsula separating it from the world heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef in WA’s North West â€" is home to dugongs, migrating humpback whales, hundreds of species of fish, and a significant mangrove and shore system supporting birdlife.

The EPA concluded in its report the gulf was under increasing pressure from unco-ordinated human activities and development.

“The EPA recommends a very high level of protection for the eastern and southern portion of Exmouth Gulf and adjacent hinterland, and that the establishment of marine and terrestrial protected areas is co-designed with traditional owners as partners in its future protection and management,” the report said.

“Protected areas should encompass both the land and sea environment to capture the important connectivity and ecological function between landscapes, including the intertidal and supratidal flats.”

Maps of proposed industrial developments around Exmouth Gulf and a potential new national park on the eastern and southern boundaries. Credit:Environmental Protection Authority

The watchdog has also called for protection for sensitive areas including:

Camerons Cave â€" which is on the North West Cape and is home to threatened species including the Camerons Cave millipede and pseudoscorpion.

Qualing Pool â€" a lagoon near a creek mouth in the gulf near a proposed port development.

Cape Range Subterranean Waterway â€" an underground water source on the peninsula.

Several islands in Exmouth Gulf.

Environment and Climate Action Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said she would carefully consider the report and its strategic advice.

“Exmouth Gulf is a significant and valuable asset for all West Australians,” she said.

“Understanding potential cumulative impacts on the social, cultural and environmental values of the gulf ensures we are equipped with the right knowledge to complete environmental assessments.”

There is already a proposal in the works for a new national park covering the southern and eastern shores of the gulf which is supported by the EPA.

EPA chairman professor Matthew Tonts said there was a risk impacts from both existing and potential pressures may not be sustainable for the gulf.

“While there is a broadly held view that Exmouth Gulf is a relatively pristine environment, its long history of development has contributed to considerable environmental change,” he said.

“Our strategic advice shows there is an opportunity to strengthen the protection of Exmouth Gulf through avoidance of activities and development that could use alternative locations.”

The EPA has also recommended a new co-ordinating body is set up with a defined role around planning, environmental protection and management of the gulf.

Port developer welcomes EPA findings

The boss of the proposed Gascoyne Gateway project, a renewable energy-powered single-jetty deep water port 10 kilometres south of the Exmouth town site, said the EPA report did not preclude new development.

The company’s chief executive Michael Edwards said having a properly regulated port would mitigate the existing impacts from marine traffic, as highlighted by the report, with better management.

“We will continue to seek environmental approval from the EPA, which has set the highest possible standard for assessing our project,” he said.

Gascoyne Gateway wants to build a single-jetty deep-water port and renewable hub near Exmouth.Credit:Gascoyne Gateway

The jetty project is close in proximity to Qualing Pool, but Mr Edwards said the company hoped it could work with traditional owners to enhance the environmental, social and cultural values of the site.

“Through our engagement with the traditional owners and the local community over the last year, we have come to understand the importance and significance of Qualing Pool,” he said.

“At present, Qualing Pool is not protected or managed in any way.”

Green groups like Protect Ningaloo remain steadfast against the port and other projects like a proposed salt operation, by K+S Salt, on the north-east of the gulf.

The Ashburton Salt project falls outside the proposed footprint of a new national park but is also facing opposition from WA billionaire couple Andrew and Nicola Forrest, who lodged an objection through their pastoral company against an application for a mining lease by K+S given it is on their property Urala Station.

The Forrests are facing their own environmental challenges, however, with an exploration lease for a potash project on the eastern gulf boundary within the proposed national park.

A redevelopment of a tourist resort at the tip of the peninsula owned by the couple is also facing both state and federal environmental reviews in concert with a proposed realignment of a road to go behind the site and through the limestone ranges.

Marine fauna values in a ‘poor state’

The EPA found marine fauna values for sea snakes, turtles, dugongs, seabirds and shorebirds were in a poor state.

“Seabirds and shorebirds were found to be in poor condition, primarily due to direct disturbance of burrows and nests from trampling and unmanaged off-road vehicles on foreshore and coastal dune areas,” the report said.

“Anecdotal evidence suggests the current state of some teleost fish species such as trevally, red emperor and coral trout populations may be poor due to their popularity as targeted recreational fishing species.”

Professor Tonts said further deterioration of values should be avoided through the establishment of an integrated management approach to further activities and development.

“Within Exmouth Gulf, avoidance of environmental disturbance should be a key consideration for all new developments in site selection,” he said.

The EPA noted recreational fishing outside the Ninagloo marine park and off-road driving and camping on beaches was not being adequately managed, with an expansion of tourism sectors likely to lead to an increase in activity.

Fishing trip limits were recently reduced from 20 kilograms of demersal fish fillets to 10 kilograms as of July 1 after a push from recreational anglers including fishers in Exmouth.

Recfishwest chief executive Andrew Rowland said the gulf was incredibly important for fishers given its unique wilderness experience.

“The Gulf is also one of WA’s most accessible wilderness areas and attracts dedicated sport fishers from across the country and globe,” he said.

“Any large-scale development â€" industrial or tourism â€" that may put the Gulf’s wilderness value at risk is a concern to Recfishwest.

“As active contributors into this EPA review process, Recfishwest look forward to continuing in future discussions about how the values provided by Exmouth Gulf can be protected, forever.”

Protect Ningaloo director Paul Gamblin said he thought the overall direction of the report indicated the gulf should be treated just like the reef.

“It’s part of that ecosystem, it’s taken the catalyst of industrial proposals to prompt the government to do this kind of analysis,” he said.

“Now it’s up to government to trigger the broader assessment of what needs to happen to protect this place which is already under pressure and a pretty clear signal to industrial proponents this is not the place to take forward those projects.”

Peter de Kruijff is a journalist with WAtoday.

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