Calling all Territorians: have your say about Limmen Bight Marine Park

Published 13 February 2026

The Limmen Bight Marine Park is located in the Gulf of Carpentaria and is the smaller of the Northern Territory’s 2 marine parks. However, the current Government has committed to making it a bit bigger.

The existing marine park extends from the Roper River mouth in the north to the southern terrestrial boundary of Limmen National Park and (Wuraliwuntya Creek) in the south and covers 884km2 of coastal waters. The proposed extension would see the southern boundary shifted down to Rosie Creek, adding another 185 km2 to the park, and incorporating high value marine habitat into the park.

The proposed extension is important culturally to both Marra and Yanyuwa people. In addition, the extension would incorporate the single largest seagrass meadow in the region into the park - covering more than 24,000 Ha and representing 75% of all mapped seagrass between Limmen Bight and Rosie Creek. This seagrass meadow provides important foraging habitat for dugong and turtle and also provides nursery habitat for juvenile fish and crustaceans. The Gulf of Carpentaria contains the largest dugong population in the Northern Territory, and Marra Traditional Owners confirm that this area is also important as a nursery habitat for dugong with high calf sightings in the area. The park is a multi-use park allowing for commercial and recreational fishing, while providing opportunities for protection of cultural and biodiversity values.

The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory have prepared a Section 14 report in accordance with the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 outlining the proposal, the importance of this area, and what it would mean. The report is available for public comment, and Territorians are encouraged to have their say and help shape the future of this park. Public consultation is open until Monday 13 April 2026 via the Have your Say Website.

There is a survey link where you can provide feedback by answering some questions, alternatively you can write a submission and email it to parkplanning@nt.gov.au, or send it to:

Parks and Wildlife
Park Development and Strategic Projects
PO Box 496
Palmerston NT 0831

Submissions are open until 13 April 2026.