On 13th December 2013, the Australian Government took a major step backwards for marine conservation, suspending the implementation of management plans for the 33 new marine parks, including parks in the Coral Sea, the Kimberley and the Great Australian Bight. These management plans outline the levels of protection the parks provide to fragile ocean habitat and the marine species within them.
Diving on the east coast of Australia is incredible; warm tropical seas or cool temperate waters, both support an amazing array of marine life. Great schools of fish swarm in the dappled sunlight with perhaps a passing turtle or ray in the background. But at a handful of dive sites you see none of this; your eyes are firmly fixed on the circling grey nurse sharks.