Sustainable Tourism Plan for the Houtman Abrolhos Islands

Executive Summary

Introduction

The Houtman Abrolhos Islands (hereinafter “the Abrolhos”) is one of the most interesting parts of Western Australia. The Abrolhos is a complex of 122 low-lying islands and reefs located at the edge of the continental shelf between 28^o15'S and 29^o00'S at a distance of approximately 60 kilometres offshore from Geraldton on the mid-west coast of the State. There are three major groups of islands: North Island-Wallabi Group; Easter Group; and Pelsaert (or Southern) Group, separated by Middle and Zeewijk Channels which are each approximately 40 metres deep.

The islands are geomorphologically diverse, with some major islands being of ‘continental origin'. Other islands were formed more recently by the erosion and deposition of sediments during the rise and fall of sea levels and by storms, waves, winds and swell. Small tidal ponds which occur on many islands of the Abrolhos are important structures which are rare on other offshore islands in south-western Australia.

The Abrolhos coral reefs are the southernmost living reefs in the Indian Ocean. They have a unique assemblage of tropical species of fish, reef corals and other invertebrates, which live in close association with temperate species, particularly of algae, and species endemic to Western Australia. The Abrolhos is the centre of the fishery for the commercially valuable western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus).

Terrestrial flora and fauna of the Abrolhos are relict and provide important reference areas on ecological interactions. Virtually all the islands of the Abrolhos archipelago have sea bird nesting and breeding areas, and populations of some species of seabirds are of international significance.

The Abrolhos is the site of a several important historic shipwrecks, including the 17th Century Dutch ships Batavia and Zeewijk.

This combination of features makes the Abrolhos a unique area of Western Australia. In recognition of this, the Minister for Primary Industry; Fisheries, has released the plan Management of the Houtman Abrolhos System, following a process of public consultation.

Future Tourism in the Abrolhos

The islands are becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists attracted by the diving, fishing, bird watching, maritime history, and other features of the Abrolhos. The Management Plan for Sustainable Tourism in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands (this plan) has been developed to provide a framework within which tourism can be developed in the islands.

The basic thrust throughout the plan is to encourage environmentally sensitive tourism, or nature-based tourism, which is compatible with maintaining the Abrolhos system in an ecologically sound condition.

The tourism plan is a subset of the overall management plan for the islands (Management of the Houtman Abrolhos System - Fisheries Management Paper No.117), and should be viewed as such. If there is a conflict between the two documents, the overall plan will take precedence. The overall management plan has strategies whose implementation may have implications for the development of tourism. Specifically, the plan for the Management of the Houtman Abrolhos System identified the need to consider the identification and management of marine and terrestrial areas with high conservation value. This may necessitate zoning and development of appropriate management plans for these areas, which may affect zoning for tourism; such zoning should be completed before existing tourism to the Abrolhos is expanded.

The goal of the Management Plan for Sustainable Tourism at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands is to:

“manage environmentally sustainable nature-based tourism which is consistent with the protection of the natural and cultural values of the Abrolhos System and provides appropriate managed access to the area for the community.”

One of the major constraints in planning tourism in the Abrolhos is the lack of information on the numbers of people actually visiting the islands at present and the numbers who would like to do so. Two basic types of tourists are recognised in the Abrolhos: private recreational tourists who make their own way to the Abrolhos and those whose visit to the islands is arranged through commercial tourism operators.

The potential for commercial tourism must be considered in the context of constraints which include:

• the fragility of some of the ecosystems in the islands, especially the large populations of seabirds and corals;
• the need to protect high conservation areas may limit tourism in some areas;
• the need to prevent the introduction and spread of exotic plants and animals;
• lack of fresh water;
• distance from shore;
• frequently unfavourable weather;
• the need to ensure sanitary waste disposal; and
• 1lack of supporting infrastructure.

Several types of commercial tourism are recommended for the Abrolhos.

It is emphasised that for all operations, consideration of the proposal will include a detailed analysis of the potential effects of the proposal on natural and cultural heritage values and the mechanisms proposed to minimise and manage the potential effects.

In the short-term, the following developments may occur:

Charter Boats: Charter boat operations with up to 20 passengers will be permitted throughout the islands, subject to the needs for safety and minimisation of adverse environmental impacts. This number of passengers is recommended to avoid environmental damage. These operations will be monitored and if no damage occurs, larger operations may be permitted. Operators could tender for a shore-based jetty and shed to provide space to store equipment, and could engage in fly/boat ventures. It is also recognised that the charter operator may need one or more mooring sites in the islands.

Shore-based Facilities: Small scale (up to 40 people including staff), low impact shore-based facilities could be operated in one or more areas of the Abrolhos. Relevant areas may include:

• Long Island, Wallabi Group; and
• Little Roma Island, Easter Group.

These sites have been identified in previous reports and by the consultants which assisted in the preparation of the draft plan. Development proposals may proceed after consultation with conservation agencies and will be subject to an assessment process to ensure they are consistent with Standards Association of Australia requirements and are appropriate for the Abrolhos.

Moored Accommodation Facilities: The possibility of providing a moored accommodation facility of a size consistent with this plan within the Leo Island reef platform, Easter Group, is supported.

Medium-term development: East Wallabi Island, Wallabi Group: With its extensive sand beach and low, rolling dunes, Turtle Bay on East Wallabi Island is one of the prettiest areas of the Abrolhos, and an attractive position in which to base a tourist facility. This site is considered to have considerable conservation values and should not be carelessly developed. In the medium-term, an assessment will be made of the potential for tourism opportunities at East Wallabi Island, noting the high conservation values of the island and the need to conserve them.

Presently inhabited islands: A shore-based tourist facility could be considered on presently inhabited islands following consultation with the island fishing community, Abrolhos Islands Management Advisory Committee and other interested parties.

A strategy is proposed for developing commercial tourism in the Abrolhos, with the Minister for Fisheries calling for tenders from prospective operators.

The following management procedures will be established:

Visitor fees: A fee will be required for all visitors to the islands (except for those on governmental business) to help recover the costs of managing the islands and providing facilities for visitors. The fee will apply to A-zone fishers, private boats, tourists and other people not on governmental business. In the case of A-zone fishers, the fee will be incorporated into an annual licence fee. Private boat owners will be able to obtain either a single trip or annual permit to visit the islands.

Licences: For commercial tourist operators, licences will be granted for an initial period of seven years, with two possible renewals of seven years, for a total tenure of 21 years, before new tenders will be called. The renewals will be subject to the environmental and operational conditions required by the licence being met to the satisfaction of the Minister for Fisheries.

Draft application forms and evaluation forms: For commercial tourism ventures, these are provided in this report.

Monitoring program: Independent environmental monitoring of the effects of larger projects such as moored accommodation or shore-based facilities will be required. Such monitoring may also be required for smaller projects if there is concern over the potential environmental effects of the operations.

Tourism operators will be required to rectify any environmental damage caused by their operations and may be required to submit a bond.

Decommissioning: If permanent shore-based facilities or pontoons are established in the Abrolhos, they must be decommissioned and removed when the project is terminated or the permit expires. This is the responsibility of the proponent. Facilities required: It is recognised that there is very little infrastructure at present to support either private or commercial tourism in the Abrolhos. The following facilities are recommended:

Airstrips: Upgrade of the East Wallabi airstrip and associated facilities upgraded to provide for access by tourists (completed).

Boat moorings: Commercial tourist operators should be allowed to arrange moorings for their use, which in some cases would be used by the industry as a whole. Such moorings must be installed in accordance with specified location and design criteria. Public moorings should be installed and may be rented for use by private boats.

Communications: Currently marine radio and mobile telephones are used. Reception on telephones is highly variable with the Southern Group being best served by mobile telephones. There is a requirement for an all weather communications system to commercial standards if the Abrolhos is to achieve its development potential. A combination of marine radio and Low Earth Orbiting satellites may be best suited to this remote location.

Relationship with the Management Plan for the Houtman Abrolhos Islands

This Management Plan should be integrated into the overall management plan for the islands when they are both reviewed in 2005.

Strategic Overview of Tourism Development in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia

The goal of this plan is to: manage environmentally sensitive nature-based tourism which is consistent with protection of the natural and cultural values of the Abrolhos System and provide appropriate managed access to the area for the community.