The entire Exmouth Gulf will be transformed into a marine park, with at least 30 per cent proposed to be protected from fishing, in an historic decision aimed at safeguarding the “globally significant marine habitat”.

The historic announcement comes after years of work, and is the recommendation of a taskforce that consulted the community, businesses, traditional owners and conservation groups.

The Exmouth Gulf is an important habitat for humpback whales and other species. Credit: Alex Kydd

The state government will also top up the Healthy Oceans Fund to the tune of $5 million, to support research into the recovery and durability of the region’s coral reefs bleached in a summer heatwave.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the Exmouth Gulf, spanning 2600 square kilometres,

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