NSW Marine Sanctuary Alliance

A united voice for NSW’s treasured marine environment.  

A united voice

The NSW Marine Sanctuary Alliance represents community groups, marine scientists, tour operators, divers, swimmers, snorkelers, fishers and leading NGOs who share a love for the ocean and its inhabitants.

the NSW marine environment

NSW state waters extends from our coastline out to three nautical miles and includes the beaches, estuaries, coastal wetlands, coastal lakes and lagoons and the offshore islands.

In NSW, six marine bioregions have been identified that contain unique assemblages of marine life and habitat types.

Marine sanctuaries are established across these bioregions to ensure that our precious marine life and habitats are adequately protected.

Explore the nsw marine sanctuary network

  • A scenic view of the ocean with a group of large rocks in the water and an island in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

    TWEED MORETON

    The Tweed Moreton marine bioregion extends from the southern Great Barrier Reef in Queensland south to Nambucca Heads.

    VIEW MAP & DEtAILS
  • A scenic view of a crescent-shaped sandy beach with clear turquoise water, rocky outcrop, lush green hills, and blue sky with some clouds.

    MANNING SHELF

    The Manning Shelf marine bioregion extends from Nambucca Heads to Newcastle.

    VIEW MAP & DETAILS
  • Underwater scene with rocks and a small shark resting on the stones, some fish swimming in the distance, and cloudy sky visible through the water.

    HAWKESBURY SHELF

    The Hawkesbury Shelf marine bioregion extends from Newcastle to Shellharbour.

    VIEW MAP & DETAILS
  • A seal swimming near seaweed underwater.

    BATEMANS SHELF

    The Batemans Shelf marine bioregion extends from Shellharbour to just south of Tathra.

    VIEW MAP & DETAILS
  • Aerial view of a coastal landscape with a small island, surrounded by blue water and a town with boats and houses, with hills in the background.

    TWOFOLD SHELF

    The Twofold Shelf marine bioregion extends from just south of Tathra towards Wilsons Promontory in Victoria and out to the Kent Group of islands in Bass Strait.

    VIEW MAP & DETAILS
  • Aerial view of a tropical coastline with clear blue water, a sandy beach, green forests, and mountain formations in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    LORD HOWE PROVINCE

    The Lord Howe Province marine bioregion surrounds Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea on the east margin of Australia.

    VIEW MAP & DETAILS