The first Sea Country Indigenous Protected Area in the south-west Kimberley region in Western Australia will strive to protect the biodiversity on Country.

The Karajarri Jurarr Ngurra (Sea Country) IPA via the federal government's Oceans Leadership Package will add more than 237,000 hectares to Australia's protected areas.

Karajarri people have a deep connection to the sea and the new IPA would strengthen their ability to protect highly diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, springs and mangroves, home to species like dugong, sawfish, dolphins and migratory shorebirds. Their increased management would also enhance maintenance of culture and language, and create jobs, as well as social and economic benefits for community.

The Karajarri Traditional Lands Association would be responsible for managing the IPA in association with Traditional Owners.

Management activities would include biodiversity surveys and mapping, turtle monitoring, managing the impacts of climate change as well as language and cultural maintenance, drawing on traditional and western knowledge.

IPAs are established under voluntary agreements between First Nations people and the Federal government to manage and protect areas of land and sea for biodiversity conservation.

The agreements deliver positive cultural, social and economic outcomes for Traditional Owners and First Nations people, as well as environmental benefits across all of Australia.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the new sea Country IPA strengthened long‑standing efforts by Karajarri TOs and rangers to protect the region's biodiversity and keep Country healthy.

"The agreement is an important step to supporting cultural, social, environmental and economic outcomes for future generations," Senator McCarthy said.

"I congratulate the Karajarri people and Traditional Owners on the dedication of the Karajarri Jurarr Ngurra IPA.

"Recognising the deep cultural, spiritual and ecological significance of this sea Country."

Environment and Water minister Murray Watt expressed gratitude to the Karajarri people and community for their dedication to the unique area, adding to the IPAs' estate and enhancing the government's environmental commitments.

"The Albanese Government has set a target to protect and conserve 30 per cent of our land and 30 per cent of our oceans by 2030," he said.

"We're well under way to reaching that target and IPAs are providing more than half of the contribution."