Beneath the calm waters of Parsley Bay lives an extraordinary marine world — yet less than 1% of Sydney’s waters are fully protected.

Help our community protect this remarkable harbour sanctuary so marine life and people can thrive for generations to come. With signing this petition, our community is showcasing the love and passion we all have for our oceans and for nature. 

A Special Place in Sydney Harbour

For generations, Parsley Bay in Vaucluse, Sydney Harbour, Australia has been a sanctuary — not only for people, but for an extraordinary diversity of marine life.

Nestled within one of the world’s most iconic harbours, this small sheltered bay offers a rare window into the natural world beneath the water. Seahorses cling to seagrass, octopus shelter among rocky reefs, rays glide across the sand and vibrant reef fish move through kelp forests.

For swimmers greeting the sunrise, snorkelers exploring the reef, families introducing children to the ocean, and scientists documenting marine life, Parsley Bay is a place of wonder, learning and connection.

But Parsley Bay is more than a beautiful place to visit. It is also a vital marine nursery habitat, where many species breed, grow and find refuge during the most vulnerable stages of their lives.

A Community Response to Protect Parsley Bay

Parsley Bay is currently experiencing significant change.

A sewage pumping station project by Sydney Water is underway within the bay’s catchment. Early environmental surveys suggested that there was nothing of major ecological significance within Parsley Bay.

For many members of the community who regularly spend time in the water observing its wildlife, this conclusion did not reflect what they were seeing.

So the community came together.

Local residents, swimmers, snorkeler, divers, scientists and ocean lovers began documenting the marine life of Parsley Bay. The community raised funds to support environmental DNA (eDNA) research, marine biodiversity, marine education programs, surveys and independent water quality testing.

What followed has been remarkable.

This grassroots effort has revealed a growing catalogue of species living within the bay — demonstrating that Parsley Bay is far more than a recreational swimming spot. It is a thriving marine habitat and nursery ecosystem within Sydney Harbour.

While the infrastructure project continues, the community remains deeply committed to ensuring that this special place is protected and restored for generations to come.

Why Protection Matters

The need to protect marine ecosystems has never been more urgent.

Conservation experts estimate that nearly 90% of marine habitats in New South Wales have already been altered or degraded by human activity, while less than 1% of Sydney’s waters are fully protected.

Parsley Bay offers a rare opportunity to change this.

By establishing Parsley Bay as a No-Take Marine Aquatic Reserve, we can safeguard this important nursery habitat and allow marine species the space they need to recover, reproduce and strengthen local fish populations.

Scientific research around the world shows that no-take marine reserves help replenish surrounding waters and restore ocean ecosystems.

Protecting Parsley Bay would not only conserve biodiversity, but also help support the long-term health of Sydney Harbour.

Respecting the Fishing Community

Parsley Bay has long been enjoyed by many different groups within the community — including recreational fishers who have a deep appreciation for the harbour and its marine life.

This proposal has been carefully designed to include and respect the fishing and spearing community. Fishing from the Parsley Bay wharf and designated shoreline areas would remain permitted, allowing long-standing local traditions to continue.

The proposed reserve focuses on protecting the core nursery habitat within the bay, while maintaining clear areas where responsible recreational fishing and spear fishing can continue.

Clear zoning would also be reflected in the recreational fishing maps and mobile apps used by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, helping new visitors understand where fishing and spearfishing are permitted outside the protected swimming enclosure.

Protecting nursery habitats today helps ensure stronger fish populations tomorrow, supporting both marine biodiversity and responsible recreational fishing.

Clear Zoning and Community Signage

To ensure the community clearly understands how the proposed Marine Aquatic Reserve would operate, clear and informative signage should be installed at Parsley Bay.

These signs would visually show where the protected nursery habitat zone is located and where recreational fishing from the wharf and designated shoreline areas can continue.

We encourage Woollahra Municipal Council to support the installation of appropriate signage so the community and visitors can easily understand the zoning and protections in place.

Importantly, the NSW Department of Primary Industries already has standard aquatic reserve signage prepared and ready for deployment when Parsley Bay be formally designated.

Once established, the reserve boundaries and permitted fishing areas could also be reflected in recreational fishing maps and mobile apps, ensuring both locals and visitors have clear guidance.

This practical approach allows conservation and responsible recreational use to exist side by side.

Community and Leadership Support

We are grateful for the engagement and support shown by Allegra Spender, Independent Federal Member for Wentworth, and The Greens, Members of the NSW Legislative Council for the Greens.

Both have supported the community since the early stages of this issue and recognise the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.

We also acknowledge Woollahra Municipal Council, which in December 2025 passed a unanimous vote supporting the exploration of Parsley Bay as a Marine Aquatic No-Take Reserve.

This growing support demonstrates what is possible when community members, scientists, local government and elected representatives work together in stewardship of nature.

A Global Moment for Ocean Protection

This proposal also contributes to the global 30x30 target — an international agreement adopted by nations around the world to protect 30% of the Earth’s land and oceans by 2030 in order to halt biodiversity loss and restore nature.

With fewer than four years remaining to reach this goal, meaningful local action has never been more important.

Protecting places like Parsley Bay shows how communities can play a vital role in safeguarding our oceans.

Learn More

An incredible Marine Aquatic Reserve Proposal Booklet, created and designed by Earth to Sea Guardians, key stakeholders and the community, is available to download from their website.

The booklet brings together the community’s work documenting the biodiversity of Parsley Bay and outlines the vision for protecting this remarkable marine nursery habitat.

It includes scientific observations, community research, letters of support and will soon include further media coverage highlighting the extraordinary marine life recorded within the bay.

You can explore the proposal and learn more via:

Earth to Sea Guardians

https://earthtoseaguardians.com/

Instagram: @saveparsleybay and @earthtoseaguardians

Join the Movement

Together, we can protect one of Sydney Harbour’s most special natural places.

By signing this petition, you are helping safeguard an extraordinary marine nursery habitat and supporting a hopeful vision where people and nature thrive together.

You are helping ensure that the seahorses, rays, octopus, reef fish and countless other species that call Parsley Bay home will continue to flourish.

You are also empowering decision-makers to take the next step in protecting what inspires so many of us to rise each day — our connection to nature and the ocean.

Join us.

Be part of nature with us.

Be part of protecting a piece of paradise, Parsley Bay, Sydney, Australia.

Sign the petition today to make a difference.

Stay updated and connect with us on Instagram here.

See evidence, letters of support, media articles and so much more here.