Heard and McDonald Islands
Factors affecting the property in 2000*
- Fishing/collecting aquatic resources
- Illegal activities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2000
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2000**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 2000
Previous deliberations
Twenty-third session of the Committee – paragraph X.28 and Annex VIII.
Twenty-third ordinary session of the Bureau – paragraph IV.24
New information: In accordance with the information they provided to the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau (November 1999), the Australian authorities submitted to the Centre a desk-study report entitled “Conservation of Marine Habitats in the Region of Heard Island and McDonald Islands”. The Centre transmitted the report to IUCN for review. IUCN found the report complete and comprehensive in addressing integrity issues and the creation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) surrounding the existing World Heritage site. The report stressed that Australian commercial fishing within the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) around Heard and McDonald Islands (HMI) is subject to the Australian Fisheries Management Act (1991). Fisheries tend to be concentrated in two main areas rather than being dispersed over the whole marine plateau region, thus reducing potential impacts on the marine environment. Some illegal fishing has been reported in the north eastern parts of HMI, targeting tooth-fish. Despite existing opportunities for recreation and tourism the level of visitation is very low due to access and climatic constraints.
The report notes that bottom trawling for Patagonian tooth-fish and mackerel ice-fish is currently the primary threat to the benthic environment of HMI, but to date no study has been undertaken to examine the effects of trawling on this area. Following a detailed assessment of biophysical and biological characteristics of the marine environment the report recommends that a Marine Protected Area (MPA) be established to protect unique features of HMI’s marine environment. Five areas, encompassing 68,320km², have been identified for protection in reserves compatible to IUCN protected area category I, in addition to the existing protection given to the territorial sea.
Action Required
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2000
24 BUR IV.B.24
Heard and McDonald Islands (Australia)
IUCN acknowledged the comprehensive report from the State Party, which focused on fisheries impact, particularly in relation to Patagonian tooth fish and mackerel icefish. IUCN furthermore commended the recommendation to establish a marine protected area and urged action on this to complement the values of the existing World Heritage site.
The Bureau commended the State Party for preparing and submitting a thorough report that provided a sound technical basis for the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and to enhance conservation of the Heard and McDonald Islands World Heritage site. The Bureau invited the State Party to submit a progress report for information to the twenty-fifth ordinary session of the Bureau in 2001.
AustraliaExports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
