Australia's marine parks review revives 30% sanctuary push

Australia’s Albanese Government has opened a once-in-a-decade review of the Commonwealth Marine Parks Network. Greenpeace Australia Pacific used the announcement to renew its push for a ban on industrial fishing in protected waters.

More than half of Australia’s Marine Parks Network still allows extractive industries, according to Greenpeace Australia Pacific. Activities named by the group include longlining, bottom trawling, oil drilling and gas mining.

Greenpeace is seeking two clear changes from the federal review. First, it wants industrial activity banned in marine protected areas. Second, it wants at least 30% of Australia’s ocean protected as ocean sanctuaries.

Elle Lawless, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, called the review “a rare, once-in-a-decade opportunity to strengthen our marine parks and ban industrial fishing in Australia’s marine protected areas”.

Commonwealth Marine Parks Network

Under the federal system, Commonwealth marine parks are meant to protect ocean wildlife and underwater ecosystems. However, Greenpeace argues those protections fall short while extraction remains legal across large parts of the network.

Lawless argued that Australians would be appalled that more than half of the network still permits damaging industry inside protected areas. She linked that criticism to longlining, bottom trawling and oil and gas mining.

According to Greenpeace, marine parks should not give industry “a free pass to trawl, fish, drill or extract”. The group says protected areas were designed to safeguard wildlife and seabed habitats, not support commercial extraction.

Meanwhile, the campaign also wants the review to create more ocean sanctuaries. Greenpeace describes those areas as places where ocean life can recover, thrive and repopulate surrounding waters.

Its 30% goal comes as ocean policy gains momentum in 2026. Australia ratified the Global Ocean Treaty earlier in 2026, and the first Ocean COP is approaching.

Because of that timing, Lawless said the government has “a unique opportunity to ride the wave of this momentum and solidify itself as a true global ocean leader”. Greenpeace says the review could help Canberra match international ocean commitments with stronger domestic protections.

Greenpeace also distributed photos and videos with the announcement.