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The marine reserve around Australia's sub-Antarctic Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) is one of the largest in the World.  Established as a Commonwealth Reserve in 2002 and currently 64 630 km² in size, it has been proposed that it be increased by 6267 km² (nearly 10%) following research conducted by the Australian Antarctic Division (click here).  The marine reserve is designated as a IUCN Category 1a Strict Nature Reserve.

"Since 2003 Australian Antarctic Division scientists and the Patagonian toothfish and mackerel icefish industry have collected some 146 ‘benthic' (sea floor) samples from within and outside the 64 630 km² marine reserve, to build a better picture of the habitat and invertebrate communities that are, or that should be, protected.  Some of the sampling was undertaken in a ‘Conservation Zone' - a region outside the marine reserve thought to contain potential hotspots of biodiversity, and in need of further research.  The results showed that the conservation zne contained areas of unique, abundant and high biodiversity that differed from the biodiversity protected in the Marine Reserve."

The proposal document states that 54% of the conservation zone will be added to the marine reserve.  It is also proposed that the area not included in the HIMI Marine Reserve will have its conservation zone status revoked through an additional proclamation.

The Heard and McDonald Islands support large seabird populations, including of three ACAP-listed species (Black-browed Thalassarche melanophris and Light-Mantled Sooty Phoebetria palpebrata Albatrosses and Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus).  The expansion of the marine reserve will give these birds an added formal level of protection while they are at sea.

The Light-mantled Sooty Albatross breeds on Heard Island
Photograph by Rowan Treblico

Selected References:

Australian Antarctic Division 2011.  Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Amendment Proposal.  17 pp.

Australian Antarctic Division 2005.  Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan.  Kingston: Australian Antarctic Division.  198 pp.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 May 2012