A governance analysis of Ningaloo and Shark Bay Marine Parks, Western Australia: Putting the ‘eco’ in tourism to build resilience but threatened in long-term by climate change?

The governance frameworks for Ningaloo Marine Park (NMP) and Shark Bay (SBMP) are explored, employing the MPA analysis framework. Both face similar conflicts typical of ecotourism, particularly related to impacts recreational fishing marine wildlife tourism. A high diversity incentives is found be used, combination which promotes effectiveness in achieving conservation objectives equity governance. Highly evolved regulations have provided depleted spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) stocks NMP stabilise begin recovery, pink snapper (Pagrus auratus) SBMP recover from past depletions, though there still concerns about impacts. tourism considered extremely good practice. Some need strengthening both cases, capacity enforcement, penalties deterrence cross-jurisdictional coordination. In was also a promote transparency making research monitoring results available, address tensions with sector by building linkages provide their specific representation, as part strategy build trust cooperation this sector. case studies represent world-leading practice addressing proximal local activities, but longer-term foundation species parks critically threatened distal climate change. has promoted resilience short-term, global action mitigate change only way long-term these iconic ecosystems.