Barrow Island Marine Management Area

The Barrow Island Marine Management Area is offshore and relatively remote. It covers 114,500 hectares includes most of the waters around Barrow Island and the waters around the Lowendal Islands.

This is a significant breeding and nesting area for marine turtles and its waters support important coral reefs, unique mangrove communities and a diversity of tropical marine animals.

Turning turtle

Threatened green, hawksbill and flatback turtles regularly use the sandy beaches of Barrow Island for breeding, and occasional nesting by threatened loggerhead turtles has also been recorded on the island.

Full of energy

The marine management area is one of Western Australia’s most productive areas for hydrocarbon production (nearby Barrow Island produces 34 per cent of the State’s oil). Recreational and commercial fishing and an expanding nature-based tourism industry are also key activities in the region.

Wet a line

Most of the Barrow Island Marine Management Area is not zoned and is therefore available for a wide range of recreational and commercial uses. There is, however, a conservation area to protect marine invertebrates and seabirds in Bandicoot Bay. Recreational fishing is permitted throughout the marine management area including Bandicoot Bay, but check first with the Department of Fisheries to find out about the sizes and bag limits that apply for various species.

This information was provided by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions: dpaw.wa.gov.au