The South Coast Marine Park Alliance has welcomed the release for public consultation of the South Coast Marine Park draft management plan, what it calls "an historic arrangement" that will see the protection of Western Australia's unique southern marine waters.

The draft management plan, released Friday by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, seeks to safeguard Western Australia's marine biodiversity, fragile ecosystem and cultural heritage.

The Alliance said the release of the plan marks a "crucial milestone" in conservation efforts along the region's coast, where plans for a state marine park were first put forward some 30 years ago.

Representing three Traditional Owner groups integral to the management of the Marine Park, the Alliance said the release of the draft plan for public consultation is "an opportunity for the community to review the results of detailed and prolonged stakeholder discussions".

Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation chair Jeanice Krakouer said the draft management plan "while not everything that we were seeking, is an important step towards protecting the unique South Coast".

"We have been working alongside the Department for several years and across the table from other groups such as recreational and commercial fishers to get to this stage," she said.

"The draft management plan reflects a balance that protects the immediate commercial interests of different stakeholders, and ensures people can still do the things they love on our coast, while prioritising the future protection of the marine environment.

"We urge communities across the Great Southern to rally behind this plan to safeguard everything we love and seek to protect across our coast."

The South Coast Marine Park - actually four connected parks stretching from Bremer Bay east to the South Australian border - fills "a critical gap" in preserving Western Australia's fragile South Coast marine environment.

It will create protective corridors for species and connect existing reserves established by the Commonwealth, while maintaining access for commercial and recreational fishers across 75 per cent across more than 1000km of coastline.

Shore fishing from the beach will continue to be permitted in about 78 per cent of the marine park and there is no change to areas where driving, camping or having a campfire on the beach is currently allowed.

No-take zones in highly biodiverse and fragile areas will allow species recovery and protect the calving zones for species such as the southern wright whale and the dwindling numbers of sea lions off the South Coast.

The management plan will support the continued shift to more sustainable commercial and recreational activities such as fishing, tourism, diving and boating — with many commercial operators already committing to a reduction in their environmental impact.

Mirning Traditional Lands Aboriginal Corporation chair Shilloh Peel said the commitment of Traditional Owners to ensure the SCMP is inclusive of all stakeholders has been "clear throughout departmental discussions".

"The coast has significant cultural value for the Mirning People, but we also want everyone who comes here to be able to appreciate its natural beauty," Ms Peel said.

"We're all about balance—making sure people enjoy it and economic opportunities remain available, but also giving marine life the space it needs to bounce back. Anyone connected to this coastline knows the impacts we are seeing due to climate change are cause for concern. Now is the time for action.

"Whole communities rely on the preservation of the South Coast marine environment. People come from around the world to travel the Nullarbor along Mirning sea Country. We want to make sure the value of our precious ocean is recognised and properly protected. We don't have time to wait."

Gail Reynolds-Adamson, Chair of Esperance Tjaltraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, said the future management of the SCMP will be undertaken jointly by the three Traditional Owner groups and the Department, creating a "seamless and connected plan" for the coastal region.

"Caring for Country is not something that stops at the edge of the water," Ms Reynolds-Adamson said.

"It is an ongoing cultural tradition practised for tens of thousands of years, and we have an obligation of custodianship to ensure we can pass on our cultural and environmental values for future generations.

"This plan will formalise what we have always known about protecting and preserving this significant area."

The Alliance members have created a microsite that explores the many benefits of the park for biodiversity, future economic security and cultural heritage. The site can be found at www.southcoastmarinepark.com.au.

The Alliance said it urges communities across the Great Southern to "rally behind this plan to safeguard everything we love and seek to protect across our coast".