The Western Australian Government has announced the formation of the new Eighty Male Beach marine park.

State Environment Minister, Bill Marmion, said that the newly created park was a key component in the State Government’s ongoing $63 million Kimberly Science and Conservation Strategy.

“The announcement today follows on from yesterday's commitment to establish new Class A marine and national parks to provide the highest level of protection to the world-renowned Horizontal Falls at Talbot Bay in the Kimberley,” he said.

“The new marine park extends throughout almost 210,000 hectares from about 30 kilometres west of Cape Keraudren in the south to 10 kilometres south of Cape Missiessy in the north-east.

 “About 71 per cent of the marine park will be in general use zones, where commercial and recreational activities can occur.  About a quarter of the park’s key habitats will be protected in sanctuary zones, while a further four per cent will be in recreational or special purpose zones where some activities will be restricted.

The Minister said the new park included part of the internationally recognised Eighty Mile Beach Ramsar Site, which is listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It has extensive intertidal sand and mudflats that support a rich diversity and abundance of wildlife