Ocean accounting pilot for Geographe Marine Park
In November 2020, an ocean accounting pilot project was completed for Geographe Marine Park in Commonwealth waters off Western Australia. This was part of Australia’s participation in the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
The objectives of the ocean accounting pilot project were to:
- provide structured environmental, social and economic information to inform ongoing management of the marine park
- improve understanding of how ocean accounts can help us sustainably manage marine resources
- trial the Technical Guidance on Ocean Accounting for Sustainable Development in an Australian context.
Geographe Marine Park is 1 of 14 marine parks managed by Parks Australia in the South-west Marine Parks Network.
People come to the park for commercial and recreational activities, such as fishing and whale watching. The park is home to many species of fish and other marine animals such as whales. Habitats in the park include extensive seagrass beds, sandy bottoms, rocky reef and kelp.
These habitats and species are also classified as ‘assets’ providing important ‘services’. For example, services provided by the park’s natural systems include nursery grounds for fish species, benefits to tourism operations, and carbon storage in seagrass beds.
Located inshore from Geographe Marine Park are also many coastal assets. These include the WA State-managed Ngari Capes Marine Park and the iconic Busselton Jetty. These assets add to the local economy and influence activity within Geographe Marine Park, and vice versa.
A conceptual model shows the marine park’s ecosystems alongside the activities that occur in the area.
Reports
The Department commissioned the Institute for the Development of Environmental-Economic Accounting (IDEEA Group) to:
- produce a pilot ocean account for Geographe Marine Park
- advise on how to prepare similar ocean accounts at a national level.
Read the ocean accounting pilot project reports.
The pilot account is:
