The Exmouth Gulf was excluded from World Heritage protection and now faces possible developments that experts say could harm the diverse landscape.

In June 2011 the Ningaloo Coast was inscribed on the World Heritage list. The UNESCO protected area includes the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef, but the neighbouring Exmouth Gulf is not in the protected area.

Why would such a diverse landscape full of various species be excluded?

Protect Ningaloo director Paul Gamblin claimed in a WA Today opinion piece that UNESCO, the arm of the United Nations that determines World Heritage listing, encouraged the Australian government to “consider inclusion of the Exmouth Gulf.” He said the government didn’t include it because of pressure from the oil and gas sector.

One project planned for the area is a deep-water port called the Gascoyne Gateway Marine Complex. The project is now in its engineering and design phase, with the final investment decision happening in 2026.

On its website Gascoyne Gateway Limited says the port will “serve a diverse range of customers, including Defence, Border Force, cruise liners, superyachts, rare earth and critical mineral projects, decommissioning of aging gas assets, large-scale renewable projects, bulk and break-bulk cargo, and regional supply-chain needs.” It adds that, by building the port in this location, it will benefit “from the calm waters of the gulf.”

Many species reside in the gulf due to its calm waters, such as humpback whales that use the gulf as a nursing area.

Oceanwise Australia director Ben Fitzpatrick expressed concern that developments like the GGMC could harm whales.

The GGMC would introduce substantial numbers of ships that create a large amount of noise, especially underwater. He said nursing whales in the gulf whisper to each other to avoid detection from predators, and the noise from ships will hinder their ability to do so.

Ships travelling in the gulf may also strike whales. Calves and mothers are especially vulnerable to this because they spend most of their time resting near the surface.

Dr Fitzpatrick explained how humpback whales nurse in the gulf to build up their fat reserves before they migrate to Antarctica. He said the GGMC will deter whales from nursing for as long, leaving them unprepared for the migration increasing their susceptibility to predation.

If developments occur, marine wildlife wouldn’t be the only thing impacted.

Local resident Darren Brooks explores caves in the Exmouth region. Mr Brooks emphasised that “infrastructure placed on land adjacent to the gulf has the potential to affect anchialine cave habitat on the near shoreline”. He said this is a major concern as the caves harbour “a suite of vertebrate and invertebrate marine and terrestrial species with Gondwanan affinities.”

The term ‘Gondwanan affinities’ refers to organisms that existed 600 million years ago. He warns that developments could erase the amazing history that Exmouth holds.

In 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Exmouth was crowned the best small tourist town. This achievement could be attributed to Exmouth’s pristine natural environment where over 2000 animals live.

Many tourists travel to Exmouth to admire wildlife, which could be displaced by possible developments. If this happens tourism could decrease.

When contacted about possible harms to local businesses, the Shire of Exmouth declined to comment, but added that it was “currently developing its Economic Development and Tourism Strategy to identify and research the opportunities and risks.” This study is expected to be completed and published in December 2025 or January 2026.