Wild Bush Luxury CEO Charlie Carlow has applauded the government’s designation of the Kimberley Coast’s Camden Sound as a Marine Park in recognition of the region’s unique importance for the Humpback Whale population. Mr Carlow also announced that the company’s newly opened Kuri Bay lodge now offers whale watching, allowing visitors to experience these majestic creatures in one of the world’s largest whale calving grounds.

Each year, thousands of magnificent Humpback Whales make Camden Sound their home between June and October, with an estimated 20,000 choosing to travel up the Western Australian coast. The area is the largest breeding ground for Humpbacks in the southern hemisphere, its reefs and islands providing whales with shelter and the tropical waters offering an ideal environment for nurturing calves in the early weeks of their lives.

Charlie Carlow described the news as an excellent win for the environment.

“The decision to name Camden Sound as a protected marine park shows a fantastic commitment to protecting this important area, internationally recognised for its significance to the Humpback Whale population,” Mr Carlow said.

“By investing in the protection of the Humpback Whales in the Camden Sound region Australia is increasing the safety of one of the biggest population of Humpback Whales in the world, including over 1,000 calves which are found in the area during the calving season - a great victory which will ensure the ongoing protection of these unique creatures.”

The Government has committed ongoing funding of $10 million over four years to protect and manage the strikingly beautiful area of Camden Sound Marine Park, which covers nearly 7,000 square kilometres. It is the first of four new marine parks to be created under the $63 million Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy and will ensure increased protection for whales in this biologically significant region.

The Camden Sound Marine Park will include a special purpose zone covering 1,670 square kilometres, designed to enhance the safety of Humpback Whale calving grounds. Two sanctuary zones comprising of approximately 20 per cent of the marine park will also be formed around Champagny Islands and Montgomery Reef, the latter of which will become the biggest sanctuary zone in the Western Australia marine park system, covering 761 square kilometres.

The Camden Sound Marine Park has incorporated a general use zone, where some fishing and other activities will be permitted to continue. Pearling operations, for which Kuri Bay is well-known, will be recognised in a designated zone and 48 per cent of the marine park will be closed to commercial trawl fishing, and 23 per cent to all forms of commercial fishing. For the first time in Western Australia, an area designed to provide a ‘wilderness’ fishing experience will be activated, where recreational fishers will be required to either catch and release or eat their catch before leaving the area.

Kuri Bay, situated amongst breathtaking natural beauty on Australia’s oldest pearl farm, will now offer guided whale watching trips as well as boat trips to Montgomery Reef, allowing  visitors to immerse themselves in the stories and natural experiences of one of the most remote and pristine regions of Australia.