On the 14th of June 2012, Environment Minister Tony Burke released the final proposals for a series of Commonwealth Marine Reserves around Australia, including two off the Kimberley coast. The Kimberley Commonwealth Marine Reserve links up with the state's Camden Sound Marine Park, and the Argo-Rowley Terrace Commonwealth Marine Reserve Proposal takes in the waters around the Rowley Shoals.

The marine reserves contain several different zones, with differing levels of restriction.