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Part Three

34 Environment Conservation Council – Marine, Coastal and Estuarine Investigation

Marine protected areas

Environment Conservation Council – Marine, Coastal and Estuarin

3. Marine protected areas

The ECC’s terms of reference require it toinvestigate and make recommendations on apreferred approach and priorities for theprogressive establishment of a representative systemof marine parks in Victoria.

Protected areas on land, such as national parks,have long been accepted by the community as a keycomponent in the overall good management of theenvironment. In Victoria, approximately 15% ofland is in highly protected parks or conservationreserves. By contrast, at present less than 0.05% ofVictoria’s marine environment is highly protected.

3.1 Victoria’s marine biodiversity

Victoria’s underwater environments are special,often containing spectacular landscapes, a rich floraand fauna, and many species which are found onlyin south-eastern and southern Australia. In recentyears many Victorians have increased theirawareness of the special values of their marineenvironment. In terms of spectacle, our waters aremagnificent, if less easily observed than tropicalwaters. Features such as kelp forests towering 30metres from the sea floor are unique to temperatewaters, and there are many reef environmentswhere the colour and variety of flora and fauna andthe numbers of fish create an underwater landscapethat is comparable to tropical coral reefs.

The southern coast of Australia is the only majorsouth-facing coastline in the southern hemisphere.It has been relatively isolated for some 65 millionyears, and as a result Australia’s southern waters areunique. They support the world’s highest diversityof red and brown seaweeds, sea mosses, crabs andshrimps, and sea squirts. A remarkable feature isthat 90–95% of species in most groups occur onlyin southern waters and nowhere else on earth. Oursouthern marine communities are as distinctivelyAustralian as our terrestrial marsupials and otherflora and fauna.

Highly protected areas are established especially forthe conservation of biodiversity. These areas are acritical component of integrated ecosystemmanagement of the whole marine environment.

e Investigation 35

Weedy seadragons are close relatives of seahorses and are foundonly in southern Australia. Photo: Peter Kinchington.

Biodiversity refers to the natural variety of life onearth, the sum of all our native species of plants andanimals, the genetic variation within them, theirhabitats, and the ecosystems of which they are apart. Animals and plants are closely associated withtheir habitat. Survival of individual species andcommunities depends directly on habitat protection,and is best achieved in the natural environment,rather than in zoos or aquariums.

Despite considerable research interest in Victoria’smarine environment and a relatively high level ofknowledge by world standards, there are areas inwhich information is lacking or even completelyunavailable. Several reports summarise the state ofknowledge of the natural values of the State’smarine and estuarine environments. Appendix 6provides more details of available data for marineecosystems in Victoria.

Scientists have concluded that a completeinventory of biodiversity is not a realistic goal forterrestrial and much less, for marine environments.In the first place, many species have not beendescribed and named. Secondly, even if they wereknown it would be an impossibly demanding task



to determine patterns of distribution. As a result,many scientific forums have concluded thathabitats and ecosystems can appropriately serve asthe basic units of biodiversity for most purposes.

In the long term, information about species andgenetic varieties will undoubtedly be improved. Inthe short term, it is important for the protection ofbiodiversity that decisions are based on the bestpossible information available. One widelyadopted approach is to generalise the availableinformation on species into categories, such ascommunities, habitats or ecosystems. NRE’sEnvironmental Inventory Program and relatedinitiatives have provided a comprehensivestatewide coverage of Victoria’s major marinehabitats at a scale of 1:100 000 for the open coastand at scales of 1:25 000 for all major bays andinlets (see Appendix 6 for a summary of ecosystemmapping).

The recommendations in this report take intoaccount a nationally agreed regional ecosystem-based classsification for the Australian marineenvironment that recognises five biophysicalregions in Victoria:

• Western region: South Australian border toCape Otway

• Central region: Cape Otway to west of WilsonsPromontory

• Wilsons Promontory region: the Promontoryitself to the western extent of the Ninety MileBeach

• Eastern region: Ninety Mile Beach to the NSWborder

• Embayments region: all bays, inlets andestuaries.

This framework, the Interim Marine and CoastalRegionalisation for Australia (IMCRA), wasdeveloped using both a qualitative expert approachand quantitative analytical methods, reflecting therange of available methodologies and the highlyvariable quality and quantity of data available.

How does fishing affect biodiversity?

Fishing causes changes at the three levels oforganisation of biodiversity. At the genetic level,fishing increases mortality and acts as an agent ofdirectional selection, affecting age distribution, age andlength at maturity, growth rates and other life historycharacteristics.

At the species level, fishing affects speciescomposition in fished ecosystems and consequentlyinteractions among fished species and their prey.

Long-term fishing can lead to systems dominance byspecies with certain life history characteristics such asearly maturation or high fecundity. Decreasedpopulations of large predators which are the subject ofmajor fisheries may lead to increased abundance ofprey species.

Finally through effects on by-catch or habitatalteration (particularly damage caused by fishingtechniques such as bottom trawling and dredging),fishing affects the diversity of marine habitats and thefunction of ecosystems.

Scientists have identified recreational fishing andcommercial fishing as the probable cause of majordeclines in populations of popularly targeted fishspecies, especially in waters close to major populationcentres.

3.2 Recommended approach tomarine conservation

The ECC is recommending improving marineenvironmental conservation through the progressivedevelopment of a system of protected areassupported by good environmental managementpractices over the whole of Victoria’s marine area.

Systems of protected areas have been established inmost countries to preserve in perpetuityrepresentative samples of ecological, geological andscenic values of many regions. While wellestablished as a land management practice, theconcept of parks is yet to be applied in anysignificant way to the marine environment.


Environment Conservation Council – Marine, Coastal and Estuarine Investigation 37

However considerable attention is now being givenworldwide to marine conservation. Initially theconservation approach that was urged for themarine environment was similar to that forterrestrial areas, with areas of special value beingestablished and defended against impacts fromoutside, as far as they could be identified andameliorated. This approach for the land was bornout of a desire to protect structural fragments ofecosystems that were being rapidly (and visibly)depleted. It gave way in the 1980s and 1990s to themultiple-use approach to marine conservation,exemplified by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The multiple-use approach was partly anacknowledgment of the different scale of marineprocesses, the indistinct and shifting character ofecological boundaries, and the highly connectednature of the sea. In the vast area of the GreatBarrier Reef Marine Park, highly protected areas areestablished within a context of conservationmanagement of the whole Great Barrier Reef.

Similarly, the ECC’s current recommendations for asystem of highly protected areas within a frameworkof sustainable management are an expression ofmultiple-use management of the marineenvironment.

Because almost all the coastline and seafloor ispublicly owned, there is an opportunity to develop acoordinated planning approach for the area. Manyrecent studies and reports have emphasised theneed to adopt an integrated approach to marinemanagement, employing a range of mechanisms forthe best possible protection of Australia’s marineenvironment. One of these mechanisms, firmlyestablished in international and national strategiessuch as the Convention on Biological Diversity(UNEP 1994) and the National Strategy forEcologically Sustainable Development (1992), is theestablishment of a representative system ofprotected areas. This approach is stronglyadvocated by the ECC.

Several strategies such as Victoria’s BiodiversityStrategy and the Victorian Coastal Strategy havespecific objectives relating to the establishment of arepresentative system of marine protected areas.

One of the lessons learned from what we nowregard as poor land management practices over thelast century, is that we need to be cautious in the

management of our marine resources and ensurethat some areas are maintained in as natural a stateas possible, as a benchmark against which tomeasure impacts of use.

3.3 A comprehensive, adequateand representative system ofmarine protected areas

If Victoria is to adequately protect its valuablemarine environments, the system of parks andconservation reserves we put in place must becomprehensive, adequate and representative.

Goals and principles for systems of protected areashave been established in other areas; for example thegoal of a comprehensive, adequate and representativesystem of reserves for Australia is recognised by allCommonwealth and State/Territory signatories tothe National Strategy for Conservation of Australia'sBiodiversity (1992) and the National Forest PolicyStatement (Commonwealth of Australia 1992).

The description below of the recommended systemof marine protected areas is consistent with theprinciples for developing the National RepresentativeSystem of Marine Protected Areas as recentlyendorsed by the relevant Ministerial Council, theAustralian and New Zealand Environment andConservation Council.

Establishing a comprehensive, adequate andrepresentative system

Comprehensive means a system which protectsexamples of the full range of habitats and biologicalcommunities within each of Victoria’s marinebiophysical regions.

Adequate means parks and other conservationreserves that have practical boundaries, are of asufficient size to ensure that physical and biologicalvalues can be protected and the impact of adjacentactivities minimised, and that more than one exampleof each environment is protected.

Representative means that parks and otherconservation reserves reflect the diversity of the floraand fauna within each of the protected habitats andbiological communities.



3.4 Community views

Most public submissions throughout theinvestigation supported the goal of protecting themarine environment. However opinion waspolarised on the creation of highly protected areasas one of the strategies to achieve protection.

Conservation groups, scientists, and somecommunity and recreational organisations werestrongly supportive of the recommendations formarine protected areas.

Although recreational and commercial fishers didnot generally oppose in principle the establishmentof marine national parks, most areas recommendedin the various reports of the LCC and the ECCwere not supported by these sectors.

Fishers were focused on the fisheries implicationsof the recommendations, and it is a significantchallenge to communicate the broader function ofmarine protected areas in the protection of marinebiodiversity.

The main issues from the fishing sectors are:

• opposition to any restrictions on currentpatterns of use and access;

• a belief that recreational line fishing and somecommercial fishing activities have no ecologicalimpacts, and that there should be norestrictions on access unless it is demonstratedthat damage is occurring or has occurred; and

• concern about socio-economic implications ofrestricting access for fishing.

Experience from other parts of the world, and inVictoria in relation to the Bunurong Marine Park,suggests that acceptance increases within a fewyears of establishment of the area. Prior to theestablishment of the Bunurong Marine Park, localopinion appeared to be polarised regarding thepark, and large attendances at public meetingsopposed the creation of the park. It is apparentfrom recent public consultation that the park is nowwell accepted by the local community.

Concerns were expressed by some groups andindividuals about the adequacy of therecommendations for highly protected areas, withsome submissions highlighting habitats andcommunities they believe to be unrepresented or

under-represented, for example estuaries, and otherscommenting that 6% of Victoria’s marine area inmarine national parks and sanctuaries is insufficient.

Several submissions commented that the categoryof Marine Conservation Parks, picking up existingmultiple-use parks, was inappropriate, as coastalland was included in several parks, and the level ofprotection of marine environments was low.

Many other issues and views were raised followingthe release of the Draft Report and they arediscussed in Parts Three and Four and Appendix 2.

3.5 Principles for the selection andmanagement of marineprotected areas

As previously stated, the terms of reference for thisinvestigation required the ECC to makerecommendations on a preferred approach andpriorities for the progressive establishment of arepresentative system of marine parks in the State ofVictoria.

In the Interim Report (1998) and Draft Report(1999) the ECC sought input on draft principles forthe selection and management of marine parks. TheCouncil has adopted the following revisedprinciples for the selection and management ofmarine protected areas.

� There will be a system of protected areas withinthe marine, coastal and estuarine areas ofVictoria which will be comprehensive, adequateand representative.

� Marine national parks are established toprovide the highest level of protection forbiodiversity and to maintain representativeexamples of natural ecosystems in perpetuity.

� Marine national parks must be sufficiently largeto achieve their objectives.

� Marine sanctuaries and marine specialmanagement areas will be identified to protectsites of special conservation, recreation oreducation value and to complement marinenational parks.



� Marine national parks and marine sanctuariesshould provide for a range of non-extractiveand non-damaging activities, compatible withthe primary aim of conserving biodiversity andecological processes, and protection of specialvalues.

� Marine protected areas should generally belocated to minimise threats, such as pollutionand introduced pests, from surrounding areas.

� A system of marine protected areas shouldinclude some spectacular areas, and shouldprovide opportunities for recreation, tourism,education and enjoyment of the naturalenvironment.

� Planning for Victoria’s marine protected areaswill take a long-term view and will provideongoing protection of the resource.

� Community education and involvement arevital factors in the successful management ofmarine protected areas.

� Management of marine protected areas must beeffective, efficient and accountable.

The following arguments were taken into account inrecommending a system of highly protected marinenational parks as the cornerstone of the system ofmarine protected areas.

• Highly protected areas are part of an overallframework for sustainable multiple-usemanagement of Victoria’s marine waters.

• The objectives of highly protected areas areclear and easily communicated.

• Highly protected areas will provide a scientificreference area against which to assess theimpacts of human activities.

• Highly protected areas, although they willoccupy only a small percentage of Victoria’smarine area, will contribute to improving thebalance of uses in the marine environment.Currently 99.95% of the Victorian marineenvironment is available for commercial orrecreational fish and shellfish harvesting; only0.05% is highly protected.

• Highly protected areas may act as a source ofreplenishment for certain species for adjacentfished areas.

• Highly protected areas act as an insurancemeasure in the event of there being a fisheriescollapse due to natural or human causes infished areas.

• Monitoring programs to demonstrate thebiological effects of establishing highly protectedareas are more effective in performanceassessment than monitoring programs for generaluse areas where fishing is permitted.

• There is no discrimination between thecommercial and recreational fishing sectors.

• Highly protected areas are valuable aseducation areas.

• Ensuring compliance with regulations issimpler in highly protected areas.

3.6 Identification and selection ofcandidate areas for marinenational parks

Aside from the principles for selection andmanagement of marine protected areas, thefollowing factors were considered in identifying andselecting areas for inclusion in the marine nationalparks system.

Biophysical regions. The range of habitats withineach of the five biophysical regions in Victoria(detailed in section 3.1) is represented in a system ofmarine national parks.

Biogeographic classification of selected faunacorrespond well with the biophysical regions. Arecent study (O’Hara 2000) of the distribution ofVictorian decapod crustaceans (includes crabs) andechinoderms (includes seastars) on rocky reefsresulted in the description of the following groups:

• a ‘common’ group that occurs throughoutVictoria;

• a ‘western’ group that has an easterndistribution limit within Victoria;

• an ‘eastern’ group that has a westerndistribution limit within Victoria; and

• a ‘central’ group that occurs in central Victoriabut not at the eastern or western limits of theState.


40 Environment Conservation

However, there are also considerable spatialvariations within a region. For example anotherrecent study documented several distinctassemblages in the Bunurong area, Port PhillipHeads and Phillip Island, all within the Centralbiophysical region (Edmunds 2000).

Marine habitats. The level of available biologicaldata for the whole Victorian marine environmentallowed a general description of eight broad marinehabitats, defined primarily by tidal level, substratetype, exposure to wave energy, and dominant flora.They are:

• intertidal rocky shores

• subtidal rocky reefs

• seagrass beds

• sheltered intertidal flats

• mangroves

• intertidal sandy beaches

• subtidal soft substrates

• pelagic (open water) environments.

Recently a more detailed framework for asystematic classification of intertidal and subtidalhabitats along the open coast has been developed(Ferns & Hough 1999, 2000). A large number ofMarine Habitat Classes (MHCs), based on dominanthabitat attributes (see Appendix 6), have beenidentified for intertidal and subtidal areas inVictoria. In general the attributes describe thedominant physical and biological structure ofmarine habitats. These MHCs will be used initiallyfor completing a consistent habitat description formarine national parks, and eventually for the entireVictorian marine environment.

At yet a further level of detail MHCs can be definedby their constituent species (Ferns & Hough 2000).A quantitative assessment of species within MHCsyields an additional level in the hierarchical marineclassification – marine ecological communities(MECs). Currently MECs for macrophytes,invertebrates and fish have been delineated for theCentral and Wilsons Promontory biophysicalregions and for Port Phillip Heads (see Edmundset al. 2000, and Appendix 6).

Council – Marine, Coastal and Estuarine Investigation

The Victorian coastline contains a wide variety of habitats,including shallow rocky reef covered in bull kelp.Photo: Peter Kinchington

Data were generally unavailable to apply all of theMarine Habitat Classes attributes consistently forthe whole Victorian coast, although wheneverknown they are included in descriptions ofrecommended areas in the following sections. It isclear that there is a great deal of variety within eachbroad habitat type. For example, Posidonia seagrasscommunities are different from Amphibolus seagrasscommunities; soft sediment communities areknown to vary depending on sediment composition,distance offshore and depth (Coleman et al. 2000);and intertidal reef fauna varies with rock type.

It has also been demonstrated that a suite ofphysical factors have a major influence on thecomposition of subtidal biological communities onVictorian rocky reefs. Physical factors such asexposure, depth, substratum structure(ie topography/complexity as determined byseafloor geology) and longitude (ie biogeographicregion) appear to be the most useful surrogates forselecting areas to maximise the representation ofreef biodiversity.

Replication. More than one example of majorhabitats in each biophysical region is included to:

• incorporate the variability within each habitattype, and

• to guard against loss due to unforeseen orcatastrophic events.


Environment Conservation Council – Marine, Coastal and Estuarin

Significant biological and ecological values.In addition to representative values, special valueshave been taken into account such as:

• high diversity of habitats;

• high diversity of species;

• habitats for rare, endangered, uncommon ordepleted species (see Appendix 6);

• nursery, feeding, breeding or rest areas; and

• rare or unique habitats.

Where there is a choice between candidate areaswhich both equally represent habitats within aregion, and other factors being equal, the ECC hasgenerally recommended an area which also includesadditional special values as above.

Variation in orientation and wave energy. It isknown that variation in shoreline orientation andwave energy climate (exposure) can have a majorinfluence on biological communities. Wherepossible this variation in each habitat type isrepresented.

Size and position. Parks must be of a sufficientarea to ensure that ecological, physical andbiological processes are maintained in a naturalstate, and activities adjacent to the park do not havea significant impact. Scientists agree that larger areaswill function more effectively than small areas inprotecting marine biodiversity, but there is onlylimited information available on optimum sizes formarine parks.

Recent scientific monitoring of four highlyprotected reserves in temperate waters inTasmania confirmed that effectiveness of marinereserves corresponded with reserve size, andfound that only the largest reserve, with 7 km ofcoastline, proved to be effective at achievingspecies conservation and resource enhancement(Edgar & Barrett 1999). The ECC’s approach hastherefore been to recommend a range of sizes formarine national parks, with a minimum of 5–7 kmof coastline. Research and monitoring in thesedifferent areas will contribute to information oneffective sizes and designs of parks.

e Investigation 41

A representative park system should include habitats with arange of wave energies such as this high energy intertidalrock platform. Photo: Peter Kinchington.

There is currently sufficient information todemonstrate that communities of plants andanimals change with depth and distance offshore(eg Coleman et al. 1997, 2000). This is true for bothrocky reef and soft sediment habitats. Therefore,where possible parks extend from the shoreline tothe limit of State waters at three nautical miles(approximately 5.5 km) to include the variabilityassociated with water depth and distance offshore.

Condition. Where there is a choice betweencandidate areas, and other things being equal, theECC has generally recommended areas where theenvironment and catchment is relativelyundisturbed. For example, recommended marinenational parks are often adjacent to national parkson land and, where possible, away from dischargesand areas of marine pest infestation.

Buffers. Buffers are often used to separate areaszoned for incompatible activities, as a means ofreducing the impact of an activity on the adjacentarea. In previous LCC recommendations the generaluse areas of large multiple-use parks acted asbuffers around the highly protected sanctuary areas.The ECC has decided against recommendingbuffers external to the proposed marine nationalparks, on the basis that the parks are intended to besufficiently large so as to be viable in maintainingpopulations, species, communities and ecologicalprocesses. Proper management of the whole marineenvironment, underpinned by the principles ofecologically sustainable use, should ensureappropriate buffers are maintained for differentactivities adjacent to the parks.



Social and economic factors. Where there is achoice between candidate areas, the ECC hasrecommended areas where the impact on industry,users and local communities is minimised.

3.7 The proposed system

The ECC is recommending the following system.

Marine National Parks are highly protected areaswhich contribute to a system representing the rangeof marine environments in Victoria, and in whichno fishing, extractive or damaging activities areallowed. There are no restrictions on access, andactivities such as recreation, tourism, education andresearch are encouraged. Recommendation A onpage 43 gives details of activities that are allowed,restricted or prohibited.

Marine Sanctuaries are smaller highly protectedareas designated for protection of their specialnatural values, in which no fishing, extractive ordamaging activities are allowed. These areas alsocomplement the larger marine national parks. SeeRecommendation B on page 45 for details onactivities that are allowed, restricted or prohibited.

Special Management Areas are areas designated(formally through legislation or through othermanagement arrangements) for protection of theirspecial natural values, in which fishing and otheruses are generally allowed. See Recommendation Con page 47 for details on activities that are allowed,restricted or prohibited.

These areas are consistent with IUCN categories formarine protected areas adopted by the IUCN in1994. Marine national parks and marine sanctuariescorrespond to IUCN categories I or II, and specialmanagement areas generally to IUCN category IV.



Recommended Marine National ParksThe basis for recommending marine national parks has been outlined in detail in the preceding sections.

Recommendation

A The recommended areas shown on Map A (numbered A1 to A13), to a depth of 200 metres below theseabed, be used to:(i) conserve and protect biodiversity and natural processes;(ii) maintain natural ecosystems as a reference against which other areas may be compared;(iii) provide opportunities for recreation and education associated with the enjoyment and

understanding of natural environments, where consistent with (i) and (ii);

that the following activities be permitted:

(iv) nature observation, scuba-diving, snorkelling, surfing, swimming, boating, and wind-surfing;(Note- boating using motorised craft subject to conditions to be determined by the manager;restrictions on motorised boating would only be appropriate if the activity is in conflict with (i), (ii)or (iii) above.)

(v) research, subject to permit;(vi) oil and gas exploration from an aircraft or vessel that does not cause disturbance to the seabed or

biota;(vii) maintenance and replacement of existing structures;

that the following activities not be permitted:

(viii) the removal or disturbance of marine biota;(ix) marine aquaculture;(x) exploratory drilling for oil and gas;(xi) oil and gas extraction;(xii) exploration and extraction of minerals and stone;(xiii) other activities that cause disturbance to the seabed or biota (such as blasting, dredging and spoil

disposal, seaweed harvesting);(xiv) point source waste discharges;

that:

(xv) new seafloor cables and pipelines be permitted, subject to:(a) an Environment Effects Statement, and(b) the consent of the Minister responsible for management of the park, and only after the

Minister is satisfied that no reasonable alternative outside the park is available;

and that:

(xvi) the parks be permanently reserved under new or amended legislation and be managed by theDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment;

(xvii) a management plan be prepared for each park by the manager, after public consultation, outliningthe strategies to be taken to achieve the objectives of the park, and be in place within three yearsof the Government’s acceptance of these recommendations;

(xviii) that boundaries of the areas, if they have not been precisely surveyed, be subject to minormodifications and other adjustments that may be deemed necessary.



Full descriptions and maps of the recommended marine national parks below can be found on the following pages.

A1 Discovery Bay Marine National Park(see pages 52–54)

A2 Twelve Apostles Marine National Park(see pages 55–57)

A3 Point Addis Marine National Park(see pages 66–68)

A4 Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park(see pages 96–99)

A5 Yaringa Marine National Park(see pages 106–107)

A6 French Island Marine National Park(see pages 108–109)

A7 Churchill Island Marine National Park(see pages 110–111)

A8 Bunurong Marine National Park(see pages 69–70)

A9 Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park(see pages 71–73)

A10 Corner Inlet Marine National Park(see pages 117–118)

A11 Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park(see pages 82–83)

A12 Point Hicks Marine National Park(see pages 84–86)

A13 Cape Howe Marine National Park(see pages 87–89)



Recommended Marine SanctuariesMarine sanctuaries complement the recommendedmarine national parks, and contribute to providing acomprehensive, adequate and representative systemof marine protected areas. The recommended areashave a range of values, including:

• typical or outstanding examples of habitats nototherwise represented in the recommendedsystem of marine protected areas;

• areas of special scientific significance; and

• areas that provide important opportunities forrecreation and education associated with theenjoyment and understanding of the naturalenvironment, such as easy access, interesting orspectacular underwater scenery, clear water orvaried and colourful marine life.

These sites, as for marine national parks, are giventhe highest level of protection.

Recommendation

B The recommended areas shown on Map A (numbered B1 to B11) be used to:(i) conserve and protect the biodiversity and natural processes within the sanctuary;

(ii) provide opportunities for recreation and education associated with the enjoyment andunderstanding of natural environments, where consistent with (i);

that the following activities be permitted:

(iii) nature observation, scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming, boating and wind-surfing;(Note- boating using motorised craft subject to conditions to be determined by the manager;restrictions on motorised boating would only be appropriate if the activity is in conflict with (i) or(ii) above.)

(iv) research, subject to permit;(v) oil and gas exploration from an aircraft or vessel that does not cause disturbance to the seabed or

biota;(vi) maintenance and replacement of existing structures;

that the following activities not be permitted:

(vii) the removal or disturbance of marine biota;(viii) marine aquaculture;(ix) exploratory drilling for oil and gas;(x) oil and gas extraction;(xi) exploration and extraction of minerals and stone;(xii) other activities that cause disturbance to the seabed or biota (such as blasting, dredging and spoil

disposal, seaweed harvesting);(xiii) point source waste discharges;

and that:

(xiv) the marine sanctuaries be permanently reserved under new or amended legislation and be managedby the Department of Natural Resources and Environment;

(xv) a management plan be prepared for each marine sanctuary by the manager, after publicconsultation, outlining the strategies to be taken to achieve the objectives of the park, and be inplace within three years of the Government’s acceptance of these recommendations;

(xvi) that boundaries of the areas, if they have not been precisely surveyed, be subject to minormodifications and other adjustments that may be deemed necessary.



Full descriptions and maps of the recommended marine sanctuaries can be found on the following pages.

B1 Merri Marine Sanctuary(see page 58)

B3 The Arches Marine Sanctuary(see page 59)

B3 Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary(see page 74)

B4 Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary(see page 75)

B5 Point Danger Marine Sanctuary(see page 76)

B6 Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary(see page 77)

B7 Point Cook Marine Sanctuary(see page 100)

B8 Jawbone Marine Sanctuary(see page 101)

B9 Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary(see page 102)

B10 Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary(see page 78)

B11 Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary(see page 90)



Recommended Special Management AreasSpecial management areas are recommended inorder to ensure that areas of special value areidentified and that they are managed appropriately.

The areas recommended as special managementareas have a range of special values, including:

• breeding, nursery and haul-out areas for marinemammals such as seals and whales;

• breeding and roosting areas for seabirds andshorebirds;

• areas of special value for recreational orcommercial fisheries, such as nursery areas;

• intertidal and shallow subtidal areas with a highdiversity of marine invertebrates; and

• areas of special biological, geomorphological orpalaeontological value.

In certain instances the boundary of an area hasbeen left undefined due to the spatially dynamicnature of the special value, eg seagrass beds orwhale calving areas.

Each site has different management requirements,and many areas have management regimes alreadyin place that address potential threats andincorporate specific measures to protect theidentified values.

Recommendation

C The recommended areas shown on Map A (numbered C1 to C18) be used to:(i) protect the identified special values for the site;

(ii) unless otherwise specified, provide for recreational and commercial fishing activities, passiverecreation, education and scientific study, to be carried out in ways that minimally affect the areaand the particular values requiring protection;

and that:

(iii) each special management area be subject to a management plan which identifies specific measuresfor protection of the special value or values. Such management plans may be prepared as part ofanother planning process, such as coastal action plans, park or reserve management plans orfisheries management plans;

(iv) mineral, stone, oil and gas exploration or extraction be permitted subject to an environmentalassessment being undertaken and considered by the Minister responsible for the area.

Full descriptions and maps of the recommended Special Management Areas can be found on the following pages.

C1 Cape Bridgewater (see page 60)

C2 Lawrence Rocks (see page 60)

C3 Portland Bay (see page 61)

C4 Deen Maar (Lady Julia Percy Island)(see page 62)

C5 Logans Beach (see page 63)

C6 Dinosaur Cove (see page 63)

C7 Clifton Springs (see page 103)

C8 Werribee River estuary(see page 104)

C9 Capel Sound (see page 104)

C10 Honeysuckle Reef (see page 112)

C11 Crawfish Rock (see page 112)

C12 Bass River delta (see page 113)

C13 San Remo (see page 113)

C14 Rhyll (see page 114)

C15 Summerland Peninsula (Phillip Island)(see page 79)

C16 The Skerries (see page 91)

C17 Mallacoota Inlet (parts) (see page 119)

C18 Gabo Island harbour(see page 91)



3.8 Existing parks and other areas

There are several pre-existing marine parks with highenvironmental values currently managed for a varietyof uses including recreational and commercialfishing. The ECC is not recommending any newmultiple-use parks. The existing multiple-use parkshave a variety of names, including Marine Park,Marine and Coastal Park and Marine Reserve. In theDraft Report, a change in terminology was proposedto Marine Conservation Park to distinguish theseareas from the highly protected Marine NationalParks. However there was little support for thischange, and there are some advantages inmaintaining the existing names which are wellestablished in the community, and in some casesbetter reflect the character of the park. For examplethere are three Marine and Coastal Parks in SouthGippsland which include coastal land as well asmarine waters.

Victoria has 12 existing marine parks and reserves,established between 1979 and 1991. Withoutexception the existing marine parks have verysignificant environmental values, and make asubstantial contribution to the representative andcomprehensive nature of the marine protected areassystem. The ECC recommended in its InterimReport (1998) that the existing five Harold HoltMarine Reserves in southern Port Phillip Bay beincorporated into the Port Phillip Heads MarinePark, and has since reviewed its recommendation tothe Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park (seeRecommendation A4).

Other than the highly protected Popes Eye MarineReserve, just two other areas within existingmarine parks currently have the highest level ofprotection where extractive activities anddisturbance are not allowed: part of the PointCook Marine Reserve, and part of the BunurongMarine Park. Both of these areas arerecommended to be incorporated in expandedhighly protected areas (see Recommendations B7and A8).

Most of the existing Wilsons Promontory MarineReserve and part of the Corner Inlet Marine andCoastal Park are also recommended to beincorporated in highly protected Marine NationalParks (see Recommendations A9 and A10).

Community understanding and acceptance of manyof the existing parks is high. Other than therecommendations outlined above, the existing parksand reserves are recommended to be retained to bemanaged for a variety of uses which do not impacton the values and objectives of the park.

Draft management plans have been prepared foreach of these parks over the last ten years. For someparks, a considerable amount of additional data hasbeen collected since the parks were declared, orbaseline ecological studies are currently beingplanned or implemented; for example, forNooramunga Marine and Coastal Park. Severalsubmissions commented on the absence of highlyprotected reference areas within some of theexisting large multiple-use parks. It is important thatfuture reviews of management utilise newinformation as it becomes available, and the ECCbelieves it would be appropriate to identify somerepresentative areas as long-term monitoring sites.

The ECC has made no recommendations withrespect to changing the current managementpractices in these parks, except where all or part hasbeen recommended as a marine national park ormarine sanctuary or as noted in RecommendationD below. The current practices should however besubject to reviews resulting from new informationand the usual reviews of management which takeplace from time to time.

Coastal national parks usually include in the parkthe intertidal area between high and low watermark. Several estuaries are also reserved withinnational parks. A number of submissions drewattention to the fact that few estuaries or intertidalareas in national parks enjoy the highest level ofprotection. Although there is some capacity withinthe park management framework to increaseprotection for zones or areas within parks, the ECCbelieves that there is a strong argument forhighlighting some areas in this report because oftheir high conservation significance.



Other areas

In making recommendations for marine protectedareas, the ECC is conscious that it has highlightedonly a small sample of Victoria’s diverse andsignificant marine ecosystems. Many specific areaswere drawn to the attention of the ECC throughoutthe investigation, and their omission from therecommended system of marine protected areasshould not be construed as reflecting a lack ofimportance.

Other areas which should be mentioned because oftheir special significance or vulnerability (or both)include the following:

• Intertidal areas. The intertidal zone is themost accessible marine environment tohumans, and is the most likely to experiencethe direct physical disturbances of tramplingand removal of biota. Changes to invertebrateand seaweed communities on intertidal rockyshores through such activity has been welldocumented in scientific studies. Thesepressures are particularly great close to themajor population centres of Melbourne andGeelong.

• Coastal wetlands listed under the RamsarConvention. See section 1.3 for moreinformation on Ramsar wetlands occurringwithin Victoria’s marine, coastal and estuarinearea.

• Estuaries. Most of Victoria’s inlets, lagoonsand larger estuaries have been heavily modified.Very few of their catchments are essentiallynatural. See pages 115 for more information.

• Areas of particular value for marineeducation. Awareness of the marineenvironment is growing in Victoria throughprograms offered by groups such as CoastCare, the Gould League, the Marine DiscoveryCentre at Queenscliff, and the MarineEducation Society of Australasia.Establishment of highly protected marine parkswill facilitate education and interpretation.However the opportunities for marineeducation and interpretation are not restrictedto marine protected areas. Victoria’s marinewaters offer other locations for viewing itsunique and diverse habitats; for example, thewaters around and beneath Portsea Pierabound with fauna and flora.

• Areas of particular significance for wildlife.Many coastal locations and offshore islands andtheir surrounding waters have high values forwildlife such as seabirds and marine mammals.Several of these sites have been highlighted asspecial management areas. For example, allVictorian breeding colonies of the Australianfur seal are recommended as specialmanagement areas or are in existing marinereserves. However other sites may also beimportant for wildlife, and may require specialmanagement measures from time to time. Forexample, Seal Islands east of WilsonsPromontory is not a breeding colony, but is animportant haul-out site for juvenile Australianfur seals.

There is a range of existing tools available to planfor and manage special values such as thoseoutlined above.



Recommendations relating to existing parksThe basis for the recommendations relating to existing parks and other reserves has been outlined in detail above.

Recommendation

D The recommended areas shown on Map A (numbered D1 to D4) be used as follows:

D1 That existing regulations be amended to allow recreational harvesting in those areas of the existing WilsonsPromontory marine parks where commercial harvesting is recommended to be allowed.

D2 That the harvesting of flora and fauna be excluded from the intertidal area of the Wilsons PromontoryNational Park adjacent to the proposed Corner Inlet Marine National Park and west to Millers Landing.

D3 That following the completion of ecological baseline studies of the Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Parkrepresentative sites be set aside as highly protected reference areas for mangroves, saltmarsh and shallowsubtidal habitats.

D4 That the harvesting of flora and fauna be excluded from the Easby, Red and Benedore estuaries in theCroajingolong National Park.

3.9 Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Reserves are an initiative of the UnitedNations Educational, Scientific and CulturalOrganisation (UNESCO) and are internationallyrecognised within the statutory framework ofUNESCO’s Program on Man and the Biosphere.The aim of the program is to help reconcileconservation of biodiversity with sustainable use.Their effectiveness is dependent on managementauthorities and local communities working closelytogether to achieve this outcome. Since the launchof the program in the 1960s, 324 reserves have beendesignated in 82 countries, 12 of them in Australia(two in Victoria at Wilsons Promontory andCroajingolong).

Western Port is an area of great environmentalsignificance and its marine ecosystems are widelyrecognised as having regional, national andinternational significance. Because of the uniquetidal characteristics that exist in Western Port, andthe vulnerability of its habitats and associated biota,damage at one site may have widespread impacts inother parts of the bay. The biological sensitivity ofWestern Port requires integrated management of itscatchments, water quality and natural resources.

A Biosphere Reserve may facilitate such anintegration of effort. Western Port has beenidentified as a potential area for inclusion in theBiosphere Program, in the French Island NationalPark Management Plan. There is also significantcommunity support for the proposal. The values ofWestern Port have also been recognised in its listingas an internationally significant wetland under theRamsar convention.

Recommendation

R39 The Government investigate the establishmentof a Biosphere Reserve incorporating FrenchIsland, Phillip Island and the surroundingwaters of Western Port, and also includingportions of the catchment if appropriate.

Recommendations for the Western biophysical region


This part sets out the recommendations formarine protected areas for the area from theSouth Australian border to Cape Otway.

Victoria’s Western biophysical region is incorporatedinto the IMCRA Otway Region which includes KingIsland environs and extends to Cape Jaffa in SouthAustralia. The marine environment along thiscoastline encompasses the deep colder waters of theSouthern Ocean to the west and shallower Bass Straitcloser to Cape Otway. The coastline includes theremote dune systems of the Discovery Bay area nearPortland, and the spectacular limestone formationsof the Port Campbell area. The marine flora andfauna are typically cold temperate species.

Main regional centres include Portland,Warrnambool, and the smaller townships such as PortFairy and Port Campbell. Agriculture, tourism andfishing, manufacturing and consumer services aremajor economic activities. Portland, as the onlydeepwater port between Port Phillip Bay andAdelaide, is important for shipping.

This part of the report gives descriptions of therecommended marine national parks, marinesanctuaries and special management areas in Victoria’s

Western biophysical region. See the ExecutiveSummary for a table of changes to therecommendations since the Draft Report.

See section 3.7 of this report for an overview of therecommendations for marine protected areasincluding recommendations for permitted uses andactivities.

Recommended areas

Marine National ParksA1 Discovery Bay Marine National ParkA2 Twelve Apostles Marine National Park

Marine SanctuariesB1 Merri Marine SanctuaryB2 The Arches Marine Sanctuary

Special Management AreasC1 Cape BridgewaterC2 Lawrence RocksC3 Portland BayC4 Deen Maar (Lady Julia Percy Island)C5 Logans BeachC6 Dinosaur Cove

Recommendations


Part Three



Description of the park

• One of two marine national parks, with TwelveApostles, proposed for Victoria’s Westernbiophysical region.

• Located about 20 km west of Portland, andadjacent to Discovery Bay Coastal Park.

• Extends along approximately 11 km of coastlinenorth of the Blowholes at Cape Duquesne to1.5 km north-west of Bridgewater Lakes, andoffshore approximately for three nautical milesto the limit of Victorian waters.

• Approximately 4 600 hectares.

Environmental values

• The proposed park is part of the largest coastalbasalt formation in Western Victoria and isamongst the highest wave energy environmentsin the State.

• The following habitats are represented in thepark: sandy beaches, intertidal and subtidal rockyreefs, subtidal soft sediments.

• The rocky habitats of this area have complexforms, including low profile calcarenite platformswith gutters and sunken pits, isolated flat low

calcarenite reefs, extending one metre above thesand surface, shell grit, calcarenite rubble, gravel,and heavy, sloping, 2-3 m high basalt walls withsmall round boulders embedded at their base.

• Subtidal soft sediments consist of predominantlyfine sand with some coarse to very coarse sand,with a carbonate content of around 80%.

• Calcarenite reefs with thick growths of sessileinvertebrates between 33 and 55 metres depth.These encrusting communities contain manyspecies of sponges, ascidians, bryozoa andgorgonians.

• Basaltic reefs at 18 metres depth covered by kelpsincluding the large brown kelp Ecklonia radiata.

• High diversity of intertidal and shallow subtidalinvertebrates, including rock lobster and abalone.

• Blue whales and great white sharks are regularvisitors to the area.

• Adjoining coastline with geomorphologicallysignificant basaltic sea caves, and significant sitesfor a number of flora and fauna species, includinga largely unvegetated extensive dune system withdune lakes that support wetland vegetation.

This recommended park in the far west of the State adjoins some of Victoria’s mostwild and remote coastline, fully exposed to the prevailing westerly seas and weather.

A1 Discovery Bay Marine National Park



Aboriginal interests

• Sites on Cape Bridgewater provide the earliestdate for shell midden sites on the easternAustralian coastline. Together with theBridgewater Bay dunes these sites are rated ashighly significant on the basis of their scientificand archaeological value.

• Local Aboriginal community groups are activelyinvolved in some aspects of coastal parkmanagement.

• An application for a native title determinationhas been lodged including the recommendedmarine national park area.

Community views

Input from the local community centred on loss ofshore-based recreational fishing at Whites Beach.Commercial fishers generally did not support theproposal, although some sectors indicated that theywould support a much smaller park in this locality.Other submissions called for the addition of CapeBridgewater to improve the representation of habitatsin the park.

The ECC has not made substantial changes to thisrecommended park, other than straightening part ofthe seaward boundary for easier identification at sea.Changes to the recommended park would not bepossible without significantly reducing the ecologicalviability of the park.

Other nearby areas that were reconsidered duringpublic consultation on this proposal include CapeNelson and Lady Julia Percy Island, but input fromearlier consultation indicated that they were lessacceptable on balance than this location due to theimpacts on users.

Social and economic implications

Impacts on coastal communitiesThe nearest coastal town to this park is Portland withan estimated population of 9 300 residents.

Compared to many regional towns, Portland hassignificant economic diversity. Portland’s economyrelies mainly on manufacturing and retail trade with24% and 14% of employed residents respectively. Themain manufacturing activities include the aluminiumsmelter and fish processing. The agriculture, forestryand fishing industry sector employs only 3% ofresidents. The recently privatised Port of Portland isVictoria’s only deep ocean port. The Discovery Bay

Marine National Park will have some flow-on effectsfor some of the five seafood processing plants.

The economy of Portland is relatively independentof the tourism industry, and consequently frompotential impacts of the Discovery Bay MarineNational Park on recreational activities. Theemployment in the accommodation, cafes andrestaurant; and the culture and recreation sectors isrespectively 4.6% and 1.8% only.

Portland is likely to benefit from aquaculturedevelopment, through additional direct and indirectemployment. A level of commercial interest in thesite is already evident.

In summary, the impact on Portland’s economy fromthe establishment of the Discovery Bay MarineNational Park is likely to be minor, offset by thepotential benefits of aquaculture industry. (SeeAppendix 4 for more details.)

Recreation and tourismWhites Beach in Descartes Bay and Blacks Beachfurther north are the only locations within theproposed park that are readily accessible. Blacks Beachis on the boundary of the park. They are currentlyused for shore-based fishing and Whites Beach is alsoused for shore-based diving.

The management plan for the Discovery Bay parksconfirms that local access to the coast for fishing isprized by residents, although access has sometimesbeen gained illegally, and inappropriate vehicle tracksdeveloped through local use are a significantmanagement issue in the coastal park. The ECCrecommends that park managers review access to thecoast, to ensure that reasonable access is available toalternative fishing locations.

There will be no restrictions on boating, diving, andother non-harvesting activities. In the longer term,these forms of recreation may be enhanced anddeveloped to complement promotion of theDiscovery Bay Coastal Park as a major touristresource. Visitors to the adjacent Great South WestWalk and other attractions such as the Blowholesprovide potential for combined marine and land basedinterpretation programs.

Commercial fishingMajor commercial fishing activities are fishing for rocklobster, abalone and wrasse. The following estimatesof fisheries catch and value were provided by MAFRIand are based on the 1996/97 year to allow consistentcomparisons between areas. However average catches



over a number of years are also a useful measure insome situations and, where appropriate, additionalcomments are made about average catches. Valuesare based on 1999 prices for abalone, and 1998/99for rock lobster. See Appendix 5 for a fuller discussionof fisheries estimates.

Abalone harvested within the area of the proposedpark was estimated to be 14.2 tonnes in 1996/97 ora little over 5% of the Western Zone catch quota,valued at approximately $481 000. This compares withcatch averages since 1988 of 18 tonnes.

Rock lobster catches were estimated to beapproximately 14.5 tonnes in 1996/97, or 3.4% ofthe Western Zone rock lobster catch, valued at$453 000. This estimate had a high random standarderror associated with it, and the ECC believes thatthe actual catch may be higher (see Appendix 5 fordetails).

Fishing for wrasse is the other significant commercialfishing activity within this area, estimated to be worthapproximately $10 000 for 1996/97. The wrassefishery is relatively new and catches have been risingsteadily since the early 90s, from 28 tonnes acrossthe State in 1992/93 to 81 tonnes in 1997/98(Fisheries Victoria data). The current catches in thearea of the proposed park are likely to be greaterthan that estimated for 1996/97.

Implementation and management

• The proposed park is not readily accessible andis remote from vehicle access.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing takeplace. Areas which could be included in amonitoring program are Discovery Bay north ofthe park, Cape Duquesne to Cape Bridgewater,and Cape Nelson.

Recommendation

A1 (i) That the Discovery Bay Marine NationalPark of 4 600 ha shown on Map A beused in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine nationalparks outlined on page 43; and

(ii) that park managers review access to thecoast, and ensure reasonable access isavailable to alternative fishing locations.

References: 40, 242, 258, 297, 332, 334.



A2 Twelve Apostles Marine National Park

Twelve Apostles, along with Wilsons Promontory, is one of two major new marinenational parks recommended for Victorian waters. The park includes spectacularunderwater scenery that is a continuation of the famous coastal limestone cliffs andstacks of the Port Campbell area.


• One of two marine national parks, withDiscovery Bay, proposed for Victoria’s Westernbiophysical region.

• Located about 7 km east of Port Campbell, andadjacent to Port Campbell and Otway NationalParks.

• Extends along approximately 23 km of coastlinefrom east of Broken Head to Cape Volney, andoffshore approximately for three nautical milesto the limit of Victorian waters.



• The underwater extension of the well-known andspectacular terrestrial limestone cliffs, includingdramatic underwater arches and canyons withmarine life that is striking in colour and shape.

• Imposing, deep (16 to 55 metres) sloping reefsoccur 4 to 5 kilometres offshore from MoonlightHead.

• The proposed park contains various geologicalrock types, including limestone, calcarenite,

mudstone and sandstone, adding to the totalsubstrate complexity of the area.

• The following habitat types are represented inthe park: intertidal and subtidal rocky reefs, sandybeaches and subtidal soft sediments.

• The rocky habitats of this area are complex inform and include platforms with shallow (< 1m)fissures and gutters; small rounded boulders; andheavy reef with sharp, steeply sloping ridges> 2 metres in height, some with narrow crevasses,others with wide sand filled gutters.

• Subtidal soft sediments consist of predominantlyfine sand with some medium and coarse sand,and coarse shell rubble, with a carbonate contentfrom 45 to 90%.

• Characteristic of a larger area from Childers Cove(east of Warrnambool) to Gibson Steps whichhas the highest diversity of intertidal and shallowsubtidal invertebrates on limestone in Victoria.

• The sandstone intertidal rocky platforms aroundMoonlight Head are extensive and contain arange of coastal orientations and microhabitats.These platforms are characterised by richintertidal and shallow subtidal invertebratecommunities (eg Cats Reef).



• Shoreline, rock stacks and islands providebreeding colonies for seabirds.

• Adjacent coastline has sites of significance forflora and fauna, and sites of geological andgeomorphological significance including karst(ie cave) topography.


• Aboriginal groups are concerned about theincrease in tourism in the area, especially alongthe shoreline, and the increased risk of impacton cultural and environmental values.

• The Aboriginal community seeks a role in theprocess of authorising tourism, scientific andcommercial activities.

Community views

There is strong support for two large marine nationalparks. Input from the local community centred onconcern about the flow-on impacts on Port Campbellof the restrictions on commercial fishing, particularlyon rock lobster fishers based in the town; and lossof shore-based recreational fishing at a number ofsites between Clifton Beach and Gibsons Steps, andPrincetown and Rivernook.

Local government indicated that they would supporta smaller park in this locality. Commercial abaloneand rock lobster fishers based at Apollo Bay alsoopposed the proposal, because of the impact on theirfishing activities particularly in the eastern section ofthe park.

Two changes have been made to this recommendedpark: excluding additional areas to reduce the impacton recreational fishing, and straightening the seawardboundary for easier identification at sea. Bothshoreline areas previously excluded from the parkhave been extended, at Gellibrand River mouth atPrincetown to Rivernook, and Gibsons Steps toClifton Beach. Other changes to the recommendedpark would significantly reduce the range of habitatsrepresented in the park, and reduce its ecologicalviability.

Other nearby areas that were reconsidered duringpublic consultation on this proposal include areasaround or near Lake Gillear, Glenaire, and areas closerto Port Campbell.


Impacts on coastal communitiesThe nearest coastal towns to this park are PortCampbell with an estimated population of 325 andApollo Bay with an estimated 1 050 residents.

Tourism and leisure services, predominantly linkedto Port Campbell National Park, are key businessactivities in Port Campbell with 30% of employedresidents. The area’s diverse coastline and the nature-based experiences it provides are key strengths forthe future development of the town. Theestablishment of the marine national park wouldenhance this trend. The Port Campbell jetty wasrecently rebuilt with Government funds to providefor a range of uses into the future. Agriculture,forestry and fishing represents about 9% of employedresidents.

The majority of employed residents in Apollo Bay(74%) are engaged in tertiary industry, includingconsumer services (34%), and only 7% are employedin the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. It isnot clear how many of these are actually working inApollo Bay – although it is known that 32 (out of126) Apollo Bay based businesses provideaccommodation and there is a seafood processingplant employing about 5 full time employees. ApolloBay is promoted as beachside resort, offering a rangeof water-based activities. Tourism is a key industryfor the town, with most visitors to the Great OceanRoad region undertaking a range of passiverecreational activities such as going to the beach,driving for pleasure, sightseeing and eating out atrestaurants.

However, the Twelve Apostles Marine National Parkwill have an impact on commercial fishers (see below)based in Port Campbell and Apollo Bay. Althoughunlikely to affect noticeably Port Campbell or ApolloBay economies, there may be social impacts on thePort Campbell community. Port Campbell is a smallcoastal community, and impacts on even a smallnumber of individual fishers, especially where newemployment is difficult to find, is an important socialissue. (See Appendix 4 for more details.)

Recreation and tourismThe area is growing in popularity for diving, cliff topsightseeing, nature study, and limited shore and boat-based fishing. Although recreational fishing is limitedby the generally difficult boat and land access, a fewlocations are accessible and popular for recreationalfishing.



The impact of the recommended park on recreationalfishing will be small, as most of the park is relativelyinaccessible. Two areas at Gellibrand River mouth atPrincetown and Gibson Steps, that are readilyaccessible and particularly popular with local residentsfor recreational beach fishing are not included in thepark. Similar alternative areas are not available nearby.

There will be no restrictions on boating, diving, andother non-harvesting activities. The recommendedpark is adjacent to the Otway and Port CampbellNational Parks, providing opportunities to developcomplementary visitor information and educationmaterials.

Commercial fishingMajor commercial fishing activities are fishing for rocklobster and abalone. The following estimates offisheries catch and value were provided by MAFRIand are based on the 1996/97 year to allow consistentcomparisons between areas. However average catchesover a number of years are also a useful measure insome situations and, where appropriate, additionalcomments are made about average catches. Valuesare based on 1999 prices for abalone, and 1998/99for rock lobster. See Appendix 5 for a fuller discussionof fisheries estimates.

Abalone harvested within the area of the proposedpark was estimated to be 22.8 tonnes or a little over3.3% of the Central Zone catch quota, valued atapproximately $773 000.

Rock lobster catches were estimated to beapproximately 12.9 tonnes, or 3.0% of the WesternZone rock lobster catch valued at $403 000. Thisestimate had a high random standard error associatedwith it, and the ECC believes that the actual catchmay be higher (see Appendix 5 for details).

Other fishing was estimated to amount to about toabout $39 000 for 1996/97.

To reduce the impact on commercial fishing, the parkno longer includes fishing grounds close to thetownship of Port Campbell. The ECC recommendsthat where individuals or local communities aredisproportionately affected as a result ofimplementation of this park, appropriate adjustmentmeasures should be considered (see RecommendationR1 on page 15).

Petroleum exploration and extractionOil and gas exploration that does not disturb theseabed and biota will be allowed, but exploratorydrilling and extraction will not be permitted in marinenational parks.

Oil and gas pipelines will be allowed subject to anEnvironment Effects Statement process, as forterrestrial national parks.


• Parts of the proposed park are readily accessiblefrom the shore through the extensive roadnetwork associated with Port Campbell NationalPark. Other areas are more remote and difficultto access. Boat access to most of the proposedpark is difficult.

• The increased number of visitors to PortCampbell National Park, is likely to increasevisitor numbers to some shoreline sections ofthe park.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing takeplace. Areas which could be included in amonitoring program are between the Bay ofIslands and Port Campbell, and between CapeVolney and Cape Otway.

Recommendation

A2 That the Twelve Apostles Marine NationalPark of 11 700 ha shown on Map A be usedin accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine national parksoutlined on page 43.

References: 40, 176, 242, 258, 289, 298, 332, 333.



B1 Merri Marine Sanctuary


• The seabed at the river mouth is a mixture ofreef and sand, with different seaweeds, providinga range of habitats and diverse marine life.

• Between Merri and Middle Islands rockyoverhangs and 8 to 10 metre deep canyonssupport a variety of fish, including parrotfish,blue-throated wrasse, bastard trumpeters, magpieperch, and dusky and banded morwong.

• There are penguin colonies on Merri and MiddleIslands.

• Dolphins are frequent visitors to the shelteredsite.


• ‘Merri’ is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘stonywater’.

• Aboriginal groups have concerns regarding theincreasing pressure to commercially exploitresources for tourism.


• Local Aboriginal groups are concerned that thesanctuary may prevent traditional access to floraand fauna.

Implications for users

• There are currently a variety of restrictions oncommercial fishing, but parts of the area are usedfor limited abalone and rock lobster harvesting.

• Some shore-based recreational fishing currentlyoccurs, but the popular breakwater is excludedfrom the proposed sanctuary.

• Following public consultation on the proposal,the area has been reduced in size, to exclude somereefs used for commercial abalone harvesting.


• Management of this sanctuary should involve theAboriginal community and local government.

Recommendation

B1 That the Merri Marine Sanctuary ofapproximately 25 ha shown on Map A beused in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

The Merri Marine Sanctuaryis located at Warrnambooloffshore from the mouth ofthe Merri River.

It is appoximately 25 haand is recommended for itsecological significance andvalue for public appreciationand education.



B2 The Arches Marine Sanctuary


• The site contains some of Victoria’s mostspectacular limestone formations with rockyarches and canyons in 19 to 25 metres of water.

• The upper surfaces of the arches are covered inkelp, and an understorey of red seaweeds. Theshaded undersides of the arches and canyon wallsare carpeted with invertebrates characteristic ofdeeper Bass Strait waters, including sponges,bryozoans, gorgonians, hydroids and anabundance of colourful seastars.

• Giant kelp forests provide important habitat fora suite of marine animals.


• An application for a native title determinationhas been lodged including the recommendedmarine sanctuary area.

• Aboriginal groups are concerned about theincreasing popularity of the area for dive tourism,and the increased risk to cultural andenvironmental values.



• Some rock lobster fishing currently occurs withinthis area.

• Popular destination for dive charters, because ofthe spectacular underwater scenery.

Recommendation

B2 That The Arches Marine Sanctuary ofapproximately 45 ha shown on Map A beused in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

The Arches MarineSanctuary is located offPort Campbell.

It is approximately 45 haand is recommended for itsecological, scenic andtourism values.


Special Management Areas


C1 Cape Bridgewater

ValuesThis 23 ha area west of Portlandincludes the waters around one ofonly two mainland Australian fur sealcolonies. There are reports ofbreeding seals that would make it theonly mainland breeding colony inAustralia.

A viewing platform constructedabove this site in the adjoiningDiscovery Bay Coastal Park attractsmany visitors. A small number ofNew Zealand fur seals are alsoreported to come ashore at CapeBridgewater. Local dive operatorsoffer diving and snorkellingexcursions where, in addition toobserving seals in their environment,divers can admire diverse andabundant marine flora and fauna.The seals can also be viewed fromthe sea with a charter-boat operatingthroughout the year.

Management issuesManagers should ensure that an appropriate distance is kept between boatsand the rock platforms used by seals, to avoid unnecessary disturbance. Thoughmortality of seals in nets is generally low, netting is a potentially threateningactivity, and restrictions should be placed on netting near the colony to minimiseseal injury and mortality through entanglement in mesh and gill nets.

C2 Lawrence Rocks

ValuesThis 24 ha area near Portland consistsof waters around the islands ofvolcanic rock which make up LawrenceRocks. A kelp forest up to 12 metreshigh is intermittently found in waterson the northern side of LawrenceRocks. The western side offers divingand snorkelling opportunities within anatural harbour noted for its calmconditions and abundant marine life.The rocks themselves are of Stategeological and geomorphologicalsignificance. They are the highestoffshore point of a largely submergedvolcanic caldera beneath Nelson Bay.

Lawrence Rocks is a wildlife reservewith high values as breeding coloniesfor several species of seabirds. Speciesutilising the area include the littlepenguin, fairy prion, common divingpetrel and the largest colony of gannetsin Australia.

Management issuesThe waters for 100 metres offshore from the boundary of the wildlife reserveshould be managed to complement management of the seabird colonies, andto ensure protection of the linked terrestrial and marine values.

0 1

KilometresBathymetry (in metres)5




C3 Portland Bay

ValuesThis 2 675 ha area situated about1 km offshore near Portland,contains the most extensive knownbeds of Amphibolis antarctica seagrasson the open coast in Victoria. Thehighly productive seagrassecosystem supports a diverseinvertebrate community and is anursery ground for juvenile fish suchas King George whiting, andoccasionally snapper and shark. Thesite is also one of very few locationswhere the rare brown alga Cystophoracymodocea occurs, growing attachedto the seagrass.

Low and high profile rocky reefs atthis site also provide habitats for arange of reef species. This site isvisually attractive for diving andsnorkelling and is popular withrecreational fishers who target anumber of fish species.

Management issuesUnder the provisions of the Fisheries Act 1995, seining operations areprohibited from the area from Point Danger to the mouth of the SurreyRiver, and the port managers in cooperation with the aluminium smelterhave put in place a dredge spoil disposal program that avoids impact on theseagrass. These existing management arrangements should be maintained,and reviewed periodically, to ensure protection of the seagrass ecosystem.




C4 Deen Maar(Lady Julia Percy Island)

ValuesThe local Gunditjmara people have aspiritual, traditional physical andcontemporary connection to DeenMaar. Deen Maar means Bunjil – ‘TheCreator’ or ‘The Man’. Deen Maar isthe resting place of Bunjil, and it iswhere he departed this world. Theadjoining mainland and wetlands areof great spiritual significance to theGunditjmara people and, in late 1999,about 400 ha of land between theEumarella River estuary, the YambukLakes system and the SouthernOcean, was declared Victoria’s firstIndigenous Protected Area.

The island is home to one ofVictoria’s two largest Australian furseal breeding colonies, and is also abreeding ground for numerousspecies of birds some of which arethreatened (fairy prion, commondiving petrel, white-bellied sea eagle).It is of national geological andgeomorphological importance. Theisland is a wildlife reserve.

The sharply sloping reefs of thesouthern and eastern sides of theisland are covered by a dense kelpcanopy, which provides habitat forother marine life, while at the northernend the island drops into a sandyseabed. The subtidal area aroundDeen Maar is considered to be someof the most spectacular underwaterenvironments in Victoria. Theendangered great white sharkfrequents this area.

Management issuesManagement of the waters for 500 metres around the island (430 ha) shouldcomplement management of the cultural and biological values of the island.Future management should involve the local Aboriginal communities, andaddition of the area to the Deen Maar Indigenous Protected Area should beexplored in consultation with the Gunditjmara people.

Commercial harvesting of abalone and rock lobster takes place within the sitewith occasional mesh netting and long lining. As with Cape Bridgewater (C1above) netting is a potentially threatening activity, and restrictions should beplaced on netting near the colony to minimise seal injury and mortality throughentanglement in mesh and gill nets.

Rock lobster pots placed near seal breeding grounds can cause death of juvenileseals. Monitoring of juvenile seal mortality should be carried out and the useof seal-resistant pots explored. Disturbance to the colony during the breedingseason should be avoided, and managers should ensure that vessel access isappropriately regulated during this time.




C6 Dinosaur Cove

ValuesThis 20 ha area contains spectacularunderwater scenery with sheerunderwater cliffs, massive bouldersand a unique feature for this part ofthe coast, a large bommie,‘Innamincka Rock’.

The complexity of the seabed isenriched with rock ledges, guttersand shallow sand/reef. Surveys haveshown that areas as small as twosquare metres include 15 species ofsponges, 10 ascidians, 27 bryozoans,and four hydroids (O’Hara 2000).

The coastline offers spectacular viewsof the ocean, steep cliffs, sea caves andmagnificent rock platforms. The sitehas major palaeontological significancewith the renowned dig site, DinosaurCove. Although access is difficult, thesite is popular with a small number ofkeen shore-based anglers.

Management issuesManagement of the area should ensure protection of the diverse naturalvalues of the area, while retaining access for recreational fishing.

The local Aboriginal people are concerned about possible disturbance toarchaeological sites, and areas of cultural significance. Involvement of thelocal Aboriginal community in management of this area is encouraged.

C5 Logans Beach

ValuesThis 550 ha area near Warrnamboolis a calving and nursery ground forthe southern right whale. This whaleis listed as an endangered speciesboth at a national and a State level.It was listed under Victoria’s Flora andFauna Guarantee Act 1988 in 1990.The whales congregate in the generalarea every year from about May toOctober and breed approximatelyevery three years. The exactboundaries of the breeding groundare not known, but whales with theiryoung are often seen at LogansBeach. The whales move along theshore between a point 2 km east ofWarrnambool (south of LakeGillear) and Port Fairy, up to 1.5 kmoffshore.

The Whale Dreaming is significantfor the local Aboriginal people.

Management issuesManagement of commercial fishing, recreational boating and tourism whilethe whales are present is currently undertaken through a combination ofvoluntary agreements and regulations. All vessels are excluded from LogansBeach in the shaded area from June to October each year to preventdisturbance of the whales and to enhance the remote scenic aspect forthousands of cliff top whale watchers.

Recommendations for the Central and Wilsons Promontory biophysical regions


Recommendations for the Central and Wilsons Promontorybiophysical regions

This part sets out the recommendations formarine protected areas for the open coast fromCape Otway to Wilsons Promontory.

Victoria’s Central and Wilsons Promontorybiophysical regions are incorporated into IMCRA’sCentral Victoria and Flinders regions respectively. TheFlinders Region extends into Bass Strait and includesTasmania’s Flinders Island and other islands.

The marine environment along this part of theVictorian coastline varies from the heavily visitedrocky shore and surf coast environments close to themajor population centres of Melbourne and Geelong,to the more remote but much loved granite landscapesof Wilsons Promontory.

The marine flora and fauna are typically cooltemperate, with warm temperate species commonlyfound in New South Wales also present in lownumbers. Many western species have their easterndistributional limit between Bunurong and WilsonsPromontory. A recent study (Edmunds et al. 2000)described this part of the Victorian coast at the mostdetailed level of hierarchical marine classification –marine ecological communities (see section 3.6 formore details). Distinct macrophyte, invertebrate andfish marine ecological communities were found withinWilsons Promontory and Bunurong Marine NationalParks.

This is the most accessible section of open coastlinefor the majority of Victoria’s population. Outside themetropolitan areas of Melbourne and Geelong, thereare few large regional centres. West of Melbournethe townships of Apollo Bay, Lorne, Anglesea,Torquay and Ocean Grove along the Great OceanRoad are important for tourism, and some also actas dormitory suburbs for people working in thenearby city of Geelong. East of Melbourne alongthe west and south Gippsland coast, there are fewmajor towns situated on the coast. However thereare a number of small towns such as Inverloch andother smaller coastal settlements where tourism is a

significant economic activity. The largest existinghighly protected area in Victoria – the sanctuary zoneof the Bunurong Marine Park – was established nearInverloch in 1991.

Wilsons Promontory is Victoria’s oldest national park,first established more than 100 years ago. The waterssurrounding Wilsons Promontory were declared asmarine protected areas in 1986. The predominantlygranite coastline plunges steeply onto sandy seafloor,a marine environment unique in Victoria.

This part of the report gives descriptions of therecommended marine national parks, marinesanctuaries and special management areas in Victoria’sCentral and Wilsons Promontory biophysical regions.Recommendations regarding existing marine parkscan also be found in this section on page 50. See theExecutive Summary for a table of changes to therecommendations since the Draft Report.

See section 3.7 of this report for an overview of therecommendations for marine protected areasincluding recommendations for permitted uses andactivities.

Recommended Areas

Marine National ParksA3 Point Addis Marine National ParkA8 Bunurong Marine National ParkA9 Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park

Marine SanctuariesB3 Marengo Reefs Marine SanctuaryB4 Eagle Rock Marine SanctuaryB5 Point Danger Marine SanctuaryB6 Barwon Bluff Marine SanctuaryB10 Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary

Special Management AreaC15 Summerland Peninsula (Phillip Island)

RecommendationsPart Three



A3 Point Addis Marine National Park

This recommended park adjoins rugged cliffs for much of its length, but also includesthe world famous Bells Beach.


• One of two marine national parks, withBunurong, proposed for Victoria’s Centralbiophysical region.

• Extends along approximately 10 km of coastlineeast of Anglesea to (and including) Bells Beach,and offshore approximately for three nauticalmiles to the limit of Victorian waters.

• Approximately 4 750 hectares in size.


• The following habitat types are represented inthe park: sandy beaches, intertidal and subtidalrocky reefs, and subtidal soft sediments.

• The rocky habitats of this area have varied forms,including low profile reef about half to one metrehigh, low profile broken reef, and roundedcobbles.

• Subtidal soft sediments consist of a mixture offine and medium sand with some coarse sand,and silt, shell and coral rubble, with a carbonatecontent of 75 to 90%.

• Ingoldsby Reef with a range of marine life,including the leafy sea-dragon.

• Amphibolis seagrass off Point Addis.• Adjoining coastline with rugged cliffs and bluffs

with species-rich heathlands and coastal scrub,wide sandy beach systems to the east and westof the Point Addis headland, and an extensivearea of remnant vegetation known as the IronBark Basin, a municipal reserve.

• The Point Addis Limestone is of State geologicalsignificance.


• This area is used for traditional practices offishing and food collection by the localAboriginal people.

• Middens are located along the shoreline. Therehas been no archaeological survey of this area,and further development should not be carriedout without a cultural assessment and survey.Point Addis is likely to be a burial area.

• Aboriginal people are concerned about threatsto flora and fauna, from the high numbers ofvisitors to this part of the coast.



Community views

There is strong local support for establishing a parkin this area, but loss of shore-based and boat-basedrecreational fishing was a major issue in manysubmissions. The proximity of the Anglesea sewageoutfall to the western boundary of the park was raisedas a concern during public consultation (see belowin Implementation and management ).

The ECC has not made changes to this recommendedpark, other than straightening part of the seawardboundary for easier identification at sea. Changes tothe recommended park would significantly reduce theecological viability of the park, and would reduce thebroad level of community support for the proposal.

Other nearby areas that were reconsidered duringpublic consultation on this proposal include the areafrom Anglesea to Eastern View, an area west of therecommended area to Point Impossible, and PointNepean.


Impacts on coastal communitiesThe nearest major coastal towns to this park areTorquay and Anglesea with an estimated combinedpopulation of 9 000 permanent residents.

The Torquay/Anglesea area is a very popular holidaydestination, promoted for its beaches and access tosurfing and swimming, with a high level of holidayhome ownership and provision of visitoraccommodation. Around 35% of employed residentsare engaged in services such as retailing, education andvisitor accommodation, while around 22% areemployed in the manufacturing and constructionindustries, and only 0.9% in the agriculture, forestryand fishing industry sector. Many residents commuteto employment in nearby Geelong. The establishmentof the Point Addis Marine National Park is likely tohave a long-term positive, although difficult to quantify,impact on the tourism economy of Torquay andAnglesea. (See Appendix 4 for more details.)

Recreation and tourismBells Beach is one of the world’s best known surfingbeaches and home to a number of major surfingcompetitions. There will be no restrictions on themajor surf tournaments held at Bells Beach.Establishment of the recommended park couldfurther enhance the status of Bells Beach, and assistin communicating environmental messages to thesurfing community and general public.

The proposed park is currently used for surf fishing,particularly between Black Rock and Point Addis, andboat-based fishing. In addition to Bells Beach,Addiscot Beach is also popular for surfing, and divingand nature study are popular at Ingoldsby Reef. Onbalance, the ECC considers that the impact of therestriction on recreational fishing is likely to be fairlylow, as much of the park is not readily accessible andalternative areas are available within a reasonabledistance.

There will be no restrictions on boating, diving, andother non-harvesting activities.

Commercial fishingMajor commercial fishing activities are fishing for rocklobster and abalone, and mesh netting. The followingestimates of fisheries catch and value were providedby MAFRI and are based on the 1996/97 year toallow consistent comparisons between areas. Howeveraverage catches over a number of years are also auseful measure in some situations and, whereappropriate, additional comments are made aboutaverage catches. Values are based on 1999 prices forabalone, and 1998/99 for rock lobster. See Appendix 5for a fuller discussion of fisheries estimates.

Abalone harvested within the area of the proposedpark was estimated to be 1.6 tonnes or a little over0.2% of the Central Zone catch, valued atapproximately $56 000. Catch and effort recordssuggest that the importance of this area is diminishing.

Rock lobster catches were estimated to beapproximately 1.8 tonnes, or 2.6% of the EasternZone rock lobster catch valued at $55 000. The ECCbelieves that the average catch is likely to be higheras the catch in 1996/97 was one of the lowest in thepast seven years.

Other fishing activities include mesh netting, withsmall quantities from other fishing methods,amounting to about $52 000.

Implementation and management• The outlet from the Anglesea sewage treatment

plant is located 600 metres from the westernboundary of the park. The outflows haveundergone high quality secondary treatment. Dyedispersion studies have shown that the dilutionfactor 600 metres from the outlet ranges from190 to 1000. The outflows would therefore havenegligible impact on the proposed park.

• The proposed park is not readily accessible,except at Bells Beach - the area with the highestvisitor numbers.



• Community support for the proposal is likely tofacilitate compliance.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing takeplace. Areas which could be included in amonitoring program are from Anglesea toEastern View, west of the proposed area to PointImpossible, and Point Nepean.

Recommendation

A3 That the Point Addis Marine National Parkof 4 750 ha shown on Map A be used inaccordance with the general recommendationsfor marine national parks outlined onpage 43.

References: 40, 176, 242, 258, 289, 312, 332.



Marine National Park

Marine Park

Bathymetry (in metres)

This recommended park is an extension of the existing well-known and popularBunurong sanctuary zone. It is one of the most accessible parks, its striking rockformations admired and its beaches used by high numbers of visitors. A favouriteactivity is exploring the diverse marine life on the intertidal platforms and rockpools.

A8 Bunurong Marine National Park


• One of two marine national parks, with PointAddis, proposed for Victoria’s Centralbiophysical region.

• Located about 6 km south-west of Inverloch,includes the sanctuary zone of the existingBunurong Marine Park.

• Extends along approximately 5 km of coastlinefrom 2.5 km east of Cape Paterson to the easternend of Eagles Nest Beach, and offshoreapproximately for three nautical miles to the limitof Victorian waters.



• The following habitats are represented in thepark: sandy beaches, intertidal and subtidal rockyreefs, subtidal soft sediments.

• Extensive intertidal rock platforms, and subtidalrocky reefs, uncommon along the Victorian coast,which extend several kilometres from shore butwhich are in relatively shallow water. Theseplatforms and reefs include numerousmicrohabitats.

• Marine flora and fauna, including subtidal flora,characterised by a mixed assemblage of brownalgae consisting predominantly of Acrocarpiapaniculata, Seirococcus axillaris, Cystophora retorta,Cystophora platylobium and Cystophora moniliformis.The seagrass Amphibolis antarctica is also animportant component.

• The species richness of the Bunurong flora isamong the highest for communities that havebeen examined so far, and diversity is alsoreasonably high.

• A number of marine ecological communitieshave been identified recently for the proposedBunurong Marine National Park. The marineecological communities at Bunurong were quitedifferent from those at Wilsons Promontory, buthad similarities with communities at Phillip Islandand Port Phillip Heads further west (seeAppendix 6 for details).

• Highest diversity of intertidal and shallowsubtidal invertebrate fauna recorded in Victoriaon sandstone. A high proportion of the commoninvertebrates occurring along Victorian coast: forexample, seven of eight species of brittle stars,nine of 11 sea-cucumbers, 8 of 11 barnacles, all5 sea anemones, and 15 of 20 chitons.



• Eagles Nest provides habitat for breedingperegrine falcons and hooded plovers, and is afossil dinosaur locality.

• The park adjoins a foreshore area consisting ofdunes (in the west) and high cliffs (to the east)which support important remnant coastal anddune vegetation.


Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal coastalcommunities strongly expressed the need forGovernment to consult their communities prior todecision-making and implementation.

Community views

Input from the local community was supportive ofthe park, but critical of perceived lack of monitoringof the existing area.

The ECC has not made any changes to thisrecommended park. Other nearby areas that werereconsidered during public consultation on thisproposal include Point Nepean, The Nobbies andCape Liptrap. The recommended Bunurong MarineNational Park has a lower impact on the fishingindustry and other users than do the alternatives.


Recreation and tourismThis area is popular for diving, cliff top sightseeing,and beach activities. One of the most popularrecreational activities is exploring rockpools. Shoreaccess is excellent with roads and car parks at manysites.

All fishing is currently prohibited, from the shore to1 km offshore, in the sanctuary zone of the BunurongMarine Park. Offshore boat-based recreational fishingis limited. The effect on recreational fishing of therecommended extension to the sanctuary zone willbe minimal.


Commercial fishingThis park will have a relatively minor impact oncommercial fishing as fishing has been excluded frompart of the area, to 1 km offshore, since 1991. Themain commercial fishing activity is for rock lobsteroutside the boundary of the existing Sanctuary Zone.

The following estimates of fisheries catch and valuewere provided by MAFRI and are based on the 1996/97 year to allow consistent comparisons betweenareas. Values are based on 1999 prices. See Appendix5 for a fuller discussion of fisheries estimates.

Rock lobster catches were estimated to beapproximately 0.9 tonnes, or 1.3% of the EasternZone rock lobster catch, valued at about $28 000.

Other fishing activities are minor with an estimatedvalue of $6 000.


• Shore access to the park is excellent and a numberof platforms have been constructed to allowviewing of the picturesque beaches, cliffs andextensive rock platforms. The high visitornumbers require continuous management effort.

• There have been repeated claims that the existingsanctuary zone has been stripped of abalone byillegal poaching. A recent review of biologicalinformation enabled quantitative assessments ofspatial and temporal changes between 1991 and1999. Fished populations were compared insideand outside the existing sanctuary zone. Analysesindicated the sanctuary was acting as a reservefor male blue throated wrasse, which are targetedfor the live-fish market. No differences weredetected in abalone population structure insideand outside the sanctuary. However, theBunurong populations are not subject to strongcommercial harvesting pressure.

• The existing marine park is well accepted andsupported by the community, thereby facilitatingcompliance.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing takeplace. Areas of the existing marine park adjacentto the sanctuary zone are already included in amonitoring program.

Recommendation

A8 That the Bunurong Marine National Park of2 150 ha shown on Map A be used inaccordance with the generalrecommendations for marine national parksoutlined on page 43.

References: 40, 126, 144, 147, 176, 242, 258, 289,312, 393.



A9 Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park

This park, along with the Twelve Apostles, is one of two major new marine nationalparks recommended for Victorian waters, and is an extension of the existing marinereserve. It adjoins Wilsons Promontory National Park, including a number of therugged and remote offshore granite islands.


• The only marine national park proposed forVictoria’s Wilsons Promontory biophysicalregion.

• Located around the southern tip of WilsonsPromontory adjoining Wilsons PromontoryNational Park, and including the existing WilsonsPromontory Marine Reserve.

• Extends along the coastline from Norman Pointin the west to Cape Wellington in the east, andoffshore, encompassing several islands.



• The following open coast habitat types arerepresented in the park: sandy beaches, intertidaland subtidal rocky reefs, and subtidal softsediments.

• The granite habitats of this area are unusual inVictorian marine waters, including extensiveheavy reefs with smooth surfaces, boulders andrubble and low profile reefs.

• Smooth walled granite cliffs plunging abruptlyto the sea-floor, and sandy beaches slopinggradually to depths of 30 to 50 metres within3 km offshore.

• Significant seagrass beds in some sheltered bays.Three species of seagrass: Amphibolis antarctica(eg Waterloo Bay), Heterozostera tasmanica (eg Oberon Bay), and Halophila ovalis (eg Waterloo Bay).

• Subtidal soft sediments consists ofpredominantly fine sand with some medium andcoarse sand, silt and flat shell rubble, with acarbonate content of 2 to 60%.

• Deep heavy reefs have a dense cover of epifauna,especially sponges, stalked ascidians and sea wips,and are abundant in fish, including butterfly andmagpie perches, leatherjackets and morid cods.

• Soft sediment areas among offshore reefs withdiverse biotic assemblages, eg at 80 metres depth,off South East Point, extensive sponge gardenson flat shell rubble.

• A number of marine ecological communities havebeen identified recently for the proposed WilsonsPromontory Marine National Park. They weredistinct from marine ecological communities atBunurong (see Appendix 6 for details).



• The Wilsons Promontory area forms thedistribution limit for a number of species. It ispossible that these distributional patterns are dueto dramatic sea-level f luctuations in thePleistocene era that, at times of low sea level, keptBass Strait above sea level. For example,− seagrass Amphibolis antarctica has its eastern

distribution limit on the east side of thePromontory;

− intertidal molluscs Notoacmea mayi andAustrocochlea odontis are common in westernand central Victoria, but absent east of thePromontory;

− a brittle star Ophionthrix spongicola is absentwest of the Promontory;

− there is a floristic discontinuity of some greenalgae such as Caulerpa spp, and brown algaeincluding Cystophera; and

− a number of fish species have their limitshere.

• A number of islands are used for breeding byAustralian fur seals and many oceanic birds,including little penguins, short-tailed shearwaters,fairy prions, silver gulls and Pacific gulls.Kanowna Island is one of the four breedingcolonies of Australian fur seal in Victoria.

• Some of Victoria’s most spectacular underwaterscenery is documented in the descriptions of29 diving sites, due largely to the near verticalgranite ‘dropoffs’, and the frequent high clarityof water, particularly on the western coastline.



• Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal coastalcommunities strongly expressed the need forGovernment to consult their communities priorto decision-making and implementation.

Community views

There is strong support for a large marine nationalpark off Wilsons Promontory. An issue that aroseduring public consultation was the impact oncommercial fishing, especially abalone, but also rocklobster and finfish. Commercial fishers generally didnot support the proposal, although some sectorsindicated that they would support a much smallerpark in this locality.

The ECC has made a major change to thisrecommended park by excluding the Glennies groupof islands to reduce impact on commercial abaloneharvesting.

Nearby areas that have been reconsidered duringpublic consultation on this proposal include ShellbackIsland, Cape Liptrap and two small areas submittedto Council by a Working Group made up ofcommercial and recreational fishers, business andtourism interests. These areas were Leonard Point atWilsons Promontory, and an area near the HoganGroup about 40 km ESE of the southern tip of thePromontory. These areas were not considered toadequately represent the habitats and biologicalcommunities of the region.


Recreation and tourismThe area is popular for diving. Part of the coastlineadjacent to the proposed park is used for sightseeing,general beach activities and coastal bushwalking.There will be no restrictions on boating, diving, andother non-harvesting activities.

All forms of recreational fishing are currentlyprohibited to 300 metres offshore. Limited boat-based recreational fishing occurs outside this area.The effect of the recommended park on recreationalfishing is likely to be limited due to the currentrestrictions, the remoteness of the area, and theavailability of alternative areas.

Commercial fishingCurrent commercial fishing activities include fishingfor rock lobster, abalone and mesh netting. Thefollowing estimates of fisheries catch and value wereprovided by MAFRI and are based on the 1996/97year to allow consistent comparisons between areas.However average catches over a number of years arealso a useful measure in some situations and, whereappropriate, additional comments are made aboutaverage catches Values are based on 1999 prices forabalone, and 1998/99 for rock lobster. See Appendix5 for a fuller discussion of fisheries estimates.

Abalone harvested within the area of the proposedpark was estimated by MAFRI to be 23.3 tonnes or3.3% of the Central Zone catch quota, valued atapproximately $791 000. The ECC in consultation withindustry, has reviewed the figures for a number of years



and believes that the area’s contribution to the CentralZone catch may be up to an additional 1.5%.

Rock lobster catches were estimated to beapproximately 1.0 tonne, or 1.6% of the EasternZone rock lobster catch, valued at $31 700. The ECCbelieves that the catch, although disputed bycommercial rock lobster fishers, is a reasonableestimate.

Finfish taken using Danish seines, board trawls andmesh nets had an estimated value of $138 000.


• The proposed park is not readily accessible,although relative to its location has a largenumber of visitors. Abalone theft is a seriousissue.

• The existing marine reserve and marine park atWilsons Promontory are managed together withthe terrestrial national park. Education and visitormaterials about the existing parks are availablethrough the interpretation centre at Tidal River.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing takeplace. Areas which could be included in amonitoring program are the Glennies Group ofislands and any sections of the WilsonsPromontory coast north of the proposed area.

Recommendation

A9 That the Wilsons Promontory MarineNational Park of 16 600 ha shown on MapA be used in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine national parksoutlined on page 43.

References: 40, 125, 147, 176, 242, 289, 292, 334,372, 393.



B3 Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary


• Due to their location and configuration, thesetwo small reefs provide a wide variety ofmicrohabitats in a very small area.

• The leeward side of the reefs has protectedconditions unusual for reefs on this high wave-energy coastline.

• Bull kelps and other seaweeds grow densely onthe reefs, with an abundance of soft corals,sponges and other marine invertebrates.



• Local Aboriginal groups are concerned that thesanctuary may prevent traditional access to floraand fauna.


• In suitable weather the reefs are readily accessibleby boat from the harbour at Apollo Bay, or byswimming from shore.

• There are excellent snorkelling opportunitiesclose to shore.

• Recreational boat-based fishing is popular overthe sandy bottom in the shelter of the reefs. Therecommended boundary will allow this tocontinue.

• The fringes of the reef are currently usedsporadically for commercial rock lobster andabalone fishing. Estimates are difficult toestablish with certainty, but industry indicates thatthe total reef complex of which therecommended sanctuary is a part has significantabalone catches of up to 15 tonnes per annum.


• The proposed boundary follows the outerperimeter of the reefs plus a 20 metre buffer.

Note that the recommended area includes onlythe two major reefs as indicated on the abovemap.

Recommendation

B3 That the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuaryof approximately 18 ha shown on Map Abe used in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

Marengo Reefs MarineSanctuary is located close toshore at Marengo, nearApollo Bay.

It is approximately 18 haand is recommended for itsvalue for public educationand underwater recreation.



B4 Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary


• The varied geology of Eagle Rock (sandstoneand basalt), with its associated range of shoreplatforms, pools, subtidal fissures and boulderfields, provides a variety of habitats.

• Diversity of invertebrates on the rock platformsremains high, despite some evidence of subtidaldepletions due to harvesting.

• Sponges, subtidal kelp forests and invertebrateassemblages, including seastars, crabs and seaanemones are found in this area.


• Aboriginal groups suggest that a survey needsto be conducted relating to access to the area,and query whether cultural heritage requirementshave been met relating to the location of paths.

• This area is inter-related with Painkalac Creek,which is a highly significant cultural place.

• Eastwards of Painkalac Creek is soft sand, whichAboriginal groups indicate means an extremelyhigh possibility of burial sites.


• The reefs are good locations for snorkelling anddiving when conditions are calm.

• The area is currently used for recreational rocklobster and abalone harvesting.

• The reefs within the recommended sanctuary area part of a larger reef complex used forcommercial abalone harvesting.


• Following public consultation on the proposal,the area has been altered to provide for clearidentification of onshore boundaries, and toensure that adequate subtidal reef habitats areincluded in the sanctuary.

Recommendation

B4 That the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary ofapproximately 25 ha shown on Map A beused in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

Eagle Rock MarineSanctuary is located atAirey’s Inlet.

The area is approximately25 ha between the PainkalacCreek mouth and CattleRock extending about300 metres offshore, and isrecommended for theopportunities it provides toobserve marine life.



B5 Point Danger Marine Sanctuary


• As well as the typically high invertebrate diversityassociated with limestone substrates in Victoria,about 20% of the 96 species of opisthobranchsrecorded from this site have yet to be scientificallydescribed.


• Aboriginal groups suggest that a survey needsto be conducted relating to access to the area,and query whether cultural heritage requirementshave been met relating to the location of paths.

• Aboriginal groups indicate that there is a highpossibility of middens, archaeological sites andburials.

• Concern has been expressed about the threat tocultural heritage sites and the environmentresulting from high numbers of visitors.


• Point Danger is very popular for sightseeing andshore walks, and is visited by large numbers ofpeople.

• There is currently some recreational fishing forKing George whiting and snapper; and a smallamount of commercial fishing, mainly forabalone.

Recommendation

B5 That the Point Danger Marine Sanctuaryof approximately 20 ha shown on Map Abe used in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

Point Danger MarineSanctuary is located atTorquay.

It is approximately 20 ha,extending to the east forabout 600 metres and to thesouth for 300 metres. It isrecommended for theecological values of theintertidal area, particularlythe diversity of seaslugs(opisthobranchs).



B6 Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary


• Sandstone and basalt reefs with thick patches ofgiant and bull kelp.

• The wrecks of two ships are located on the outeredges of the reef.


• The area is listed under the Archaeological andAboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1972 (Vic).

• Middens are located along the shore. Sites locatedin this area require further investigation.

• The local Aboriginal community is concernedabout increased visitor pressure on culturalvalues.


• The shore platforms and shallow reefs ofBarwon Bluff are used extensively for marineeducation and interpretation by schools,universities and the Marine Discovery Centre atQueenscliff.

• Popular area for activities including swimming,rock pool rambling and snorkelling.

• Commercial abalone harvesting and recreationalfishing currently take place in parts of therecommended sanctuary. The abalone industryindicates catches from this area of about 4 tonnesper annum.


• Visitor pressure is a potential threat to this site,and must be managed to maintain the natural,cultural and educational values.

Recommendation

B6 That the Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuaryof approximately 18 ha shown on Map Abe used in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

Barwon Bluff MarineSanctuary is located atBarwon Heads.

It is approximately 18 haand is recommended for itsvalues for marine education.



B10 Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary


• Together with Honeysuckle Reef at Shoreham,this site supports the most diverse intertidal rockyreef communities in Victoria (Handreck &O’Hara 1994).

• Mushroom Reef is an exposed ocean areacontaining numerous subtidal pools and bouldersin the intertidal area. The high complexity of theintertidal basalt substrates provides a rich varietyof microhabitats.


• The subtidal reefs are popular for diving,snorkelling and novice spearfishing.

• There is some commercial diving for abalone onthe reef immediately south of Mushroom Reef,known as Bismarck Reef, but this is often difficultto access due to high wave action. Bismarck Reefis not included in the proposed sanctuary.

• Recreational anglers often fish the ‘lagoon’between the Mushroom and Bismarck reefs.

• This area is a popular area for recreationalcollection of abalone, though anecdotal reportsindicate that stocks have suffered greatly as aresult of over-harvesting.


• Following public consultation on this proposal,the boundary of the sanctuary has been modified,to better capture the values associated withMushroom Reef and avoid some of thecommercial abalone reef to the south east ofthe reef. The boundaries run due south of thehang glider launch ramp to a point immediatelysouth of the Bismarck Reef then due east alongthe southern edge of the Bismarck Reef thenbetween the Mushroom Reef and an unnamedreef to shore.

• A decline in intertidal invertebrates has beennoted in recent years, despite some protectionthrough shellfish protection regulations.

Recommendation

B10 That the Mushroom Reef MarineSanctuary of approximately 80 ha shownon Map A be used in accordance with thegeneral recommendations for marinesanctuaries outlined on page 45.

Mushroom Reef MarineSanctuary is located on theopen coast at Flinders onthe Mornington Peninsula.

The area of approximately80 ha and is recommendedfor its ecological values,and for its values forunderwater recreation andpotentially for marineeducation.



C15 SummerlandPeninsula (Phillip Island)ValuesThis 400 ha area is recommended tocomplement management of thewildlife values of both Seal Rocksand the penguin colonies at PhillipIsland.

The Summerland Peninsula is hometo the famous colony of littlepenguins and significant numbers ofshort-tailed shearwaters. Seal Rocksis one of Victoria’s two largestbreeding colonies of Australian furseals. It is also the only Victorianbreeding site of the kelp gull, and isa breeding site for the sooty oystercatcher. Seal Rocks are exposedbasalt rocks, and the surroundingwaters are rich in marine life,including the endangered great whiteshark.

Management issuesPhillip Island Penguin Parade is a major tourist attraction and generates asubstantial income, a large part of which is spent on conservation programs.Although the Penguin Parade occupies only a small area at the west end ofSummerland Bay, the penguins utilise a much larger area for feeding andnesting. The penguins collect in ‘rafts’ on the water surface off the southerncoast of the Summerland Peninsula, prior to making their way to their nests,and can be easily disturbed by inappropriate boating.

Seal Rocks, the Nobbies and the penguin habitat on Summerland Peninsulaform part of the Phillip Island Nature Park.

Consistent with management recommendations for waters adjacent to otherseal breeding colonies, restrictions on the use of rock lobster pots, nets andline fishing should be put in place within 200 metres of Seal Rocks.Disturbance to the colony during the breeding season (typically betweenmid October and late December) should be avoided, and managers shouldensure that vessel access is appropriately regulated during this time.

Vessel access and speed within the above area should be managed throughoutthe year to minimise disturbance to penguins.


Recommendations for the Eastern biophysical region



This section sets out the recommendations formarine protected areas for the open coast eastof Wilsons Promontory to the New South Walesborder.

Victoria’s Eastern biophysical region is incorporatedinto the IMCRA Twofold Shelf region which extendsto Tathra in southern New South Wales and includesTasmania’s Kent Group of islands in Bass Strait. Thecoastline is dominated by dunes and associated sandyshorelines including the long sweep of the NinetyMile Beach and the coastal wilderness ofCroajingolong National Park. The marineenvironment along this coastline incorporates thewarmer water environments close to the NSWborder. Warmer water habitats off east Gippslandare often very diverse, including flora and fauna fromboth cool and warm water.

Other than Lakes Entrance, there are few largeregional centres situated on the coast in easternVictoria. There are however a number of smallertowns such as Mallacoota, Seaspray, and Marlo, whereagriculture, tourism, fishing, and consumer servicesare important economic activities. Oil and gas fromthe offshore Gippsland Basin platforms are broughtonshore in the Ninety Mile Beach area, and pipedfor processing in plants at Longford near Sale.

This part of the report gives descriptions of thefollowing recommended marine national parks,marine sanctuaries, and special management areas. Seethe Executive Summary for a table of changes to therecommendations since the Draft Report.

Section 3.7 of this report provides an overview ofthe recommendations for marine protected areas,including recommendations for permitted uses andactivities.

Recommended Areas

Marine National ParksA11 Ninety Mile Beach Marine National ParkA12 Point Hicks Marine National ParkA13 Cape Howe Marine National Park

Marine SanctuaryB11 Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary

Special Management AreasC16 The SkerriesC18 Gabo Island harbour

RecommendationsPart Three



A11 Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park

The recommended park captures typical marine habitats in Victoria’s well-knownNinety Mile Beach area, including scientifically significant low profile offshore reefs.The park has been located to minimise impacts on fishing along this popular coastline.


• One of three marine national parks, with PointHicks and Cape Howe, proposed for Victoria’sEastern biophysical region.

• Located about 40 km south of Sale, south westof Seaspray.

• Extends along approximately 5 km of coastlinesouthwest of Seaspray, and offshoreapproximately for three nautical miles to the limitof Victorian waters.



• The following open coast habitat types arerepresented in the park: sandy beaches, subtidalrocky reefs and subtidal soft sediments.

• The rocky habitats of this area include patchylow profile, calcarenite reefs (from a fewcentimetres to a metre high). The lowest lyingreefs can be covered and uncovered periodicallyby sand, driven by very strong, tidal currents(2 to 2.5 knots) characteristic of this area. Reefscover about 20% of the area, are flat topped withoccasional small ledges and crevices. The reefarea extends from 1 to 4 km (and possiblyfurther) offshore, at depths of 5 to 20 metres.

• Subtidal soft sediments consist of a mixture offine and medium sand with some silt, gravelly sandand shell, with a carbonate content of 14 to 19%.

• Reefs are dominated by invertebrates (70%coverage) and have sparse floral communities.Large kelps are absent and only small red algaeare visible.

• Invertebrates include sponges and ascidians, andsmaller bryozoans and hydroids. Clumps ofascidians (mainly Pyura australis) also occur onsand between reefs.

• Coscinasterias muricata, a large endemic southernAustralian seastar, occurs here in large numbers,although its usual prey of mussels, abalone andscallops is absent.

• Pseudogorgia godeffroyi, an unusual soft coral is onlyfound in Victoria between McGuarans andDelray beaches.

• The low relief reefs may be remnants of dunesystems that formed when sea-levels were lower.This is supported by the presence, between somereefs, of mud containing fossils.

• There is good evidence of aggregations of youngwhite sharks indicating this area to be theirfeeding grounds; snapper (likely food of sharks)are also known to feed here.






Community views

Input from the local community centred on impactson shore-based recreational fishing. Commercialfishers generally did not oppose the proposal.

In response to suggestions from the local communities,the park has been relocated to broadly similar habitatsto the south-west, near Seaspray, to further reduce theimpact on shore-based recreational fishing.


Impacts on coastal communitiesThe nearest township to this park is Seaspray withan estimated population of 200 residents.

Seaspray is a small coastal community, with a highlevel of holiday home ownership and is a ‘retireehaven’. Consumer services (including retail trade andaccommodation, cafes and restaurants) with 45% ofemployed residents, is the key industry in the town.The town does not rely on the fishing industry,although recreational fishing is an attraction forresidents and visitors. The establishment of NinetyMile Beach Marine National Park is unlikely to haveany adverse effects on Seaspray’s economy. (SeeAppendix 4 for more details.)

Recreation and tourismThe whole of this coastline is popular for recreationalsurf-fishing and beach activities.

Charter boat operators offering boat-basedrecreational fishing for shark, pike and snapper areincreasing in popularity, as is other boat-basedrecreational fishing.

On balance, the recommended park should have aminor overall effect on recreational fishing in theregion, given the ready accessibility of much of thiscoastline. This site has been recommended tominimise the overall impact on local communities.


Commercial fishingThe major commercial activity – trawling – occursalong the entire length of the Ninety Mile Beach. Theproposed park includes only a very small part of thesefishing grounds.

Although estimates are not available, the value ofcommercial fishing in the proposed park is probablyrelatively low. The overall impact of the proposedpark is likely to be minor, given the large alternativeareas available. The presence of low reef reduces thenetting effort in the area.

Petroleum exploration and extractionThe recommended park is near the oil and gas fieldsof the Gippsland Basin. All the current productioncomes from offshore platforms outside Victorianwaters. All the existing pipelines are outside therecommended parks. Oil and gas pipelines will beallowed subject to an Environment Effects Statementprocess, as for terrestrial national parks. However anyfuture pipelines are likely to be along or adjacent tothe existing easements.

Oil and gas exploration that does not disturb theseabed and biota will be allowed, but exploratorydrilling and extraction will not be permitted in marinenational parks.


• The park is relatively inaccessible from the land,except through private property. It is readilyaccessible by boat from Seaspray.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing takeplace. Any areas off the Ninety Mile Beachbetween Woodside Beach and Golden Beachcould be included in a monitoring program.

Recommendation

A11 That the Ninety Mile Beach Marine NationalPark of 2 750 ha shown on Map A be usedin accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine national parksoutlined on page 43.

References: 40, 177.



A12 Point Hicks Marine National Park

Point Hicks was the first point on the coast seen in 1770 from Captain Cook’s shipEndeavour. This recommended park adjoins the major granite outcrop and spectacularlighthouse of Point Hicks, part of Croajingolong National Park. The rich marine lifeof the area, with its colourful algae and diverse reef fish, provide excellent opportunitiesfor diving and snorkelling.


• One of three marine national parks, with CapeHowe and Ninety Mile Beach, proposed forVictoria’s Eastern biophysical region.

• Located about 25 km south-east of Cann River,and adjacent to Croajingolong National Park.

• Extends along approximately 8 km of coastlinewest of Point Hicks, and offshore to the east ofPoint Hicks to include Whaleback Rockapproximately for three nautical miles to the limitof Victorian waters.




• The rocky habitats of this area have varied formsfrom large boulders rising to 6 metres to clustersof smaller rocks and stones.

• Subtidal soft sediments consist of a mixture offine, medium and coarse sand with some silt,pebbles and shell, with a carbonate content of 8to 13%.

• Very high total species richness of fauna,including intertidal and shallow subtidalinvertebrates. A survey of the reef just outsidethe park boundary had more species than fromanywhere else on the Victorian coast. It is likelythat similar species richness occurs within thereefs in the proposed park.

• Plentiful and beautiful marine flora and fauna,including spectacular subtidal reefs with colourfuland diverse sessile invertebrates.

• Kelps including Ecklonia and Phyllospora and smallalgae.


• An application for a native title determinationhas been lodged including part of therecommended marine national park area.




Community views

Input from the local community centred on theimpact on shore-based recreational fishing andcollecting at Clinton Rocks. Commercial fishersgenerally did not support the proposal, although somesectors indicated that they would support a muchsmaller park in this locality.

The ECC has made a substantial change to thisrecommended park by excluding Clinton Rocks toreduce impact on the recreational activities of CannRiver and Tamboon Inlet residents, and by includingWhaleback Rock to improve habitat representation.The offshore boundary was straightened for easieridentification at sea. The major reefs for commercialabalone harvesting were already excluded from theearlier draft recommendation. Other changes to therecommended park would not be possible withoutsignificantly reducing the ecological viability of thepark.

Other nearby areas that were reconsidered duringpublic consultation on this proposal were around ornear Cape Conran, Petrel Point, Rame Head, TheSkerries, Little Rame Head, and Sandpatch Point.Input from earlier consultation indicated that theywere less acceptable on balance than therecommended location due to the impacts on users,particularly commercial fishers.


Impacts on coastal communitiesThe nearest townships to this park are Cann Riverwith an estimated population of about 190 residentsand Mallacoota with about 1 000 residents.

Manufacturing, mainly timber production, is the keyindustry base of Cann River, employing 27% ofresidents. Also 27% are employed in consumerservices such as accommodation, cafe and restaurants,and retail trade. The town is promoted as a smallcommunity with access to scenic drives, bushwalkingand fishing, particularly to the popular Tamboon Inletand Clinton Rocks. The economy of Cann River –not a base for commercial fishing – is unlikely to beaffected by the establishment of Point Hicks MarineNational Park (see Appendix 4 for more details).However, Cann River is a small rural town that hasexperienced the decline of its key industry – timber

harvesting – and in these circumstances any additionalchange can be perceived as a threat to the community.

Mallacoota relies to a large extent on leisure services(see A13 Cape Howe Marine National Park). PointHicks, together with Cape Howe Marine NationalPark, will enhance the overall nature-based tourismassets of the region.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, andmanufacturing sector (mainly fishing related) areequally important for Mallacoota (see discussion inA13 Cape Howe Marine National Park). The impactof the Point Hicks Marine National Park oncommercial fishing (see below) may have some flow-on effects on Mallacoota’s economy. Although it isnot possible to determine exactly the level of thisimpact, it can be said that the level of commercialfishing-related activities, including fish processing,may be affected but the viability of the operationswill not. (See Appendix 4 for more details.)

Recreation and tourismThe general area is popular for recreational fishing,snorkelling and diving due to the rich and colourfulmarine life and the variety of reef fishes. There willbe no restrictions on boating, diving, and other non-harvesting activities.

The Point Hicks Lighthouse Reserve and twocamping areas, at the mouths of the Thurra andMueller Rivers east of the proposed park, provide afocus for walking and sightseeing. Accommodationis provided at the lighthouse. The potential increaseof visitors to Point Hicks Lighthouse Reserve andthe two camping areas at the mouths of the Thurraand Mueller Rivers may provide considerable potentialfor marine and land based interpretation programs.

For recreational fishing, the effect of the proposedpark should be limited. The most popular recreationalfishing areas on the beach east of Point Hicks, theaccessible rock fishing areas on the east side of thepoint, and Clinton Rocks are not included in theproposed park.

Commercial fishingCurrent commercial fishing activities include fishingfor abalone, rock lobster and mesh netting. Thefollowing estimates of fisheries catch and value wereprovided by MAFRI and are based on the 1996/97year to allow consistent comparisons between areas.However average catches over a number of years arealso a useful measure in some situations and, whereappropriate, additional comments are made aboutaverage catches. Values are based on 1999 prices for



abalone and 1998/99 for rock lobster. See Appendix5 for a fuller discussion of fisheries estimates.

Abalone harvested within the area of the proposedpark was estimated to be 16.7 tonnes or 3.6% of theEastern Zone catch quota, valued at approximately$567 000.

Rock lobster catches were estimated to beapproximately 0.9 tonnes, or 1.3% of the EasternZone rock lobster catch, valued at $28 000. Thisestimate had a high random standard error associatedwith it, and the ECC believes that the actual catchmay be higher (see Appendix 5 for details).

Other significant commercial fishing activity withinthis area, mainly mesh netting, is estimated to beworth approximately $42 000 for 1996/97. Thecurrent catches in the area of the proposed park arelikely to be greater than that estimated for 1996/97.


• The proposed park is readily accessible from theshore, with good road access to the park availablefrom Cann River, a one-hour drive away. Twocamping areas, at the mouths of the Thurra andMueller Rivers, east of the park provide a focusfor day visitor use.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing takeplace. Areas which could be included in amonitoring program are Petrel Point, RameHead, Skerries, Little Rame Head, SandpatchPoint, Cape Conran and areas to the east of PointHicks excluded from the park.

Recommendation

A12 That the Point Hicks Marine National Parkof 4 050 ha shown on Map A be used inaccordance with the general recommendationsfor marine national parks outlined onpage 43.

References: 40, 176, 242, 258, 289, 332.



A13 Cape Howe Marine National Park

This recommended park is the most remote in the State, and adjoins one of only twowilderness areas on Victoria’s coast.


• One of three marine national parks, with PointHicks and Ninety Mile Beach, proposed forVictoria’s Eastern biophysical region.

• Located about 15 km east of Mallacoota, andadjacent to Croajingolong National Park.

• Extends along approximately 7 km of coastlinefrom 2 km east of Gabo Island to the New SouthWales border, and offshore approximately forthree nautical miles to the limit of Victorianwaters.



• Croajingolong National Park, together withNSW’s Nadgee Nature Reserve, is part of thelargest coastal conservation reserve on the south-eastern Australian mainland. The proposedmarine national park is adjacent to the CapeHowe Wilderness Area.


• The rocky habitats of this area have complexforms/structure, including low profile reeferoded into pits and gutters, and heavy boulderreef with gutters and ridges up to 3 metres high.

• Subtidal soft sediments consist of a mixture offine and medium sand with some silt, shell andworm tubes, with a carbonate content of 6 to10%.

• High diversity of intertidal and shallow subtidalinvertebrates.

• Many species from warmer northern waters reachtheir southern limits in far east Gippsland.

• Variety of reefs including granite and sandstonereefs adding to the total substrate complexity ofthe area. Sandstone reefs observed in the parkto about 50 metres depth heavily covered by adiverse array of sponges, hydroids, ascidians andgorgonians.





Community views

Input from the local community centred on theimplications for commercial fishing, and the potentialdifficulties of management and enforcement.

The ECC has not made substantial changes to thisrecommended park, other than straightening part ofthe seaward boundary for easier identification at sea.Reducing the area of the recommended park wouldnot be possible without significantly reducing theecological viability of the park.

Other nearby areas that were reconsidered during thepublic consultation on this proposal were around ornear Petrel Point, Rame Head, The Skerries, LittleRame Head and Sandpatch Point.


Impacts on coastal communitiesThe nearest township to this park is Mallacoota withan estimated population of 1 000 residents.

Leisure services such as accommodation, café andrestaurants and retail trade, with 26% of employedresidents, are key industries of the town. Mallacootais actively promoted as a holiday destination offeringa range of nature-based experiences including fishing,walking and adventure tours. Some 20 fishing areasin and surrounding Mallacoota are promoted forrecreational fishing, with Mallacoota Inlet identifiedas one of the most popular sites. The Cape HoweMarine National Park together with the Point HicksMarine National Park would enhance the overallnature-based tourism assets of the region.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, andmanufacturing (mainly fishing-related) industriesengage 12.1% and around 11% employed residentsrespectively. Abalone fishing and processing isparticularly important to the town. The impact ofthe Cape Howe Marine National Park on commercialfishing (see below) may have flow-on effects onMallacoota’s economy if abalone catches fall.Although it is not possible to determine exactly thelevel of this impact, it can be said that the level ofcommercial fishing-related activities, including fishprocessing, may be affected but the viability of theoperations will not. (See Appendix 4 for more details.)

Recreation and tourismThe area is used for boat-based recreational fishing,although boating access from Mallacoota Inlet tooffshore waters is sometimes difficult. Most boat-

based fishing takes place west of Gabo Island butwaters east of Gabo Island are also used dependingon weather conditions. Effects on recreational fishinghave been minimised by excluding the sheltered watersaround Gabo Island from the park.


Development of a new boat launching facility atMallacoota, providing access to offshore waters, hasbeen under discussion for some time.

The adjacent mainland is a spectacular coastline forremote bushwalking.

Commercial fishingCurrent commercial fishing activities include fishingfor rock lobster, abalone, and mesh netting, haul,purse and Danish Seining. The following estimatesof fisheries catch and value were provided by MAFRIand are based on the 1996/97 year to allow consistentcomparisons between areas. However average catchesover a number of years are also a useful measure insome situations and, where appropriate, additionalcomments are made about average catches. Valuesare based on 1999 prices for abalone, and 1998/99for rock lobster. See Appendix 5 for a fuller discussionof fisheries estimates.

Abalone harvested within the area of the proposedpark was estimated to be 19.7 tonnes or 4.3% of theEastern Zone catch, valued at approximately$667 000.

Rock lobster catches were estimated to be less than100 kg in 1996/97, valued at approximately $2 000.

Other fishing activities include mesh netting, haul,purse and Danish seining. A developmental fisheryfor sea urchins utilises reefs in these waters. Estimatedtotal value of these commercial fishing activities inthe area of the proposed park was $97 000.

The impact of the park on commercial fishing hasbeen minimised by not including the waters aroundGabo Island in the proposal.


• The proposed park is not readily accessible, isremote from vehicle access, and borders NSWwaters. Abalone theft is a serious issue, whichmust be addressed cooperatively with NSWauthorities.



• Monitoring and assessment on the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing takeplace. Areas which could be included in amonitoring program are Petrel Point, RameHead, Skerries, Little Rame Head and SandpatchPoint.

• A contiguous NSW park would facilitatemanagement. Discussions have been initiatedwith the relevant NSW agencies.

Recommendation

A13 (i) That the Cape Howe Marine NationalPark of 3 850 ha shown on Map A beused in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine nationalparks outlined on page 43; and

(ii) that the Victorian Government initiatediscussions with the New South WalesGovernment to develop a jointproposal for a Victorian/New SouthWales marine protected area.

References: 176, 242, 258, 289, 332.



B11 Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary


• The granite reef has forests of bull kelp andshipwreck remains.

• A diversity of corals, sponges, sea anemones,gorgonians, zooanthids, crinoids and otherinvertebrates have been recorded, with more than20 species of reef fish present.


• An application for a native title determinationhas been lodged including the recommendedmarine sanctuary area.



• This reef is currently used for commercialabalone and rock lobster fishing. The value ofabalone catch from this area is determined fromcatch and effort data. The entire reef is includedin one reef code. Between 1988/89 and 1996/97the average weight of abalone attributed toBeware Reef is 4.3 tonnes, or 0.9% of theEastern Zone catch, valued at $146 000 usingaverage 1999 prices.

• Beware Reef is also a significant area for rocklobster fishers. Catch data indicate that for thisarea the annual catch is less than one tonne.

• The area is used by boat-based recreationalanglers and divers, launching from Cape Conran.

Recommendation

B11 That the Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary ofapproximately 220 ha shown on Map A beused in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

Beware Reef MarineSanctuary is located south-east of Cape Conran inEast Gippsland.

It is approximately 220 ha,extending for a distance of500 metres from the reefedge and is recommendedfor its contribution torepresentation of reefenvironments in theEastern biophysicalregion, and for its values forunderwater recreation.




C16 The Skerries

ValuesThis 50 ha area includes waters for200 metres offshore from theSkerries, one of four breeding sitesin Victoria of the Australian fur seal.The Skerries are a granite outcroplocated opposite Wingan Inlet in EastGippsland, and are part of theCrojingolong National Park.

The Skerries are also known as asignificant breeding site for thecrested tern and as a roosting site forthe black-faced shag.

Management issuesManagement of the area should complement management of the Skerriesfor its wildlife values. Consistent with management recommendations forother seal breeding areas (eg C4 and C15), restrictions on the use of rocklobster pots, nets and line fishing should be implemented within this area.

Disturbance to the colony should be avoided during the breeding season(typically between mid October and late December), and managers shouldensure that vessel access is appropriately regulated during this time.

C18 Gabo Island harbour

ValuesThis 23 ha area in far East Gippslandrecognises the important nature-based tourism values of Gabo Island.These values include the largestcolony of little penguins in Victoria,and temperate reef communitiessurrounding both natural reef and ashipwreck within the Gabo Islandharbour. These reef communitiesinclude reef fish such as morwong,wrasse and leatherjacket species.

Management issuesIntact reef communities in the harbour would provide quality snorkelling anddiving opportunities, enhancing the total visitor experience. Spearfishing andcommercial fishing activities that impact on reef fish species should be excluded.

A management regime to minimise impacts of recreational fishing on thesereef species should also be explored. Other fishing and collecting activities(eg line fishing for species moving through the area, commercial abaloneharvesting) that do not have major impacts on reef fish should continue.

Recommendations for the Bays, Inlets and Estuaries biophysical region



Port Phillip Bay

Western Port

Other bays, inlets and estuaries

Part Three

Recommendations



Port Phillip Bay

This section sets out the recommendations formarine protected areas for Port Phillip Bay.

Port Phillip is a large major embayment, almost2000 km2 in area, in Victoria’s Bays, Inlets andEstuaries biophysical region, equivalent to IMCRA’sVictorian Embayments region. Commonly known asPort Phillip Bay, it comprises 16 named bays, the bestknown being Swan Bay, Corio Bay and Hobsons Bay.It is extremely shallow for its size being only 24 metresat its deepest part (except for the entrance whichplunges to over 90 metres), with much of its watersshallower than 8 metres. The bay is a uniqueecosystem, supporting diverse communities of birds,fish, bottom dwelling (benthic) invertebrates,seaweeds and microscopic algae. The benthiccommunities are exceptionally rich in speciescompared to similar ecosystems in other parts of theworld. The species assemblages in the muddy centralregion are distinct from those in the sand to the westand east.

Although most of the bay is surprisingly healthy interms of water quality, the ecosystems of the bay areunder continued pressure from urban and agriculturalrunoff, previous physical disruption (eg dredging),and recently from the spread of introduced marinespecies.

About three million people live close to Port PhillipBay, making it Australia’s most densely populatedcatchment, and one of the most urbanised coastlinesin the world. Port Phillip Bay is enormously importantto Victoria, and to Melbourne in particular. It isAustralia’s busiest port, and is also a huge recreationalresource for residents and visitors. Recreationalpursuits include swimming and beach activities,sightseeing, diving, recreational fishing, sailing andboating. Port Phillip Bay supports a commercialfishery and a growing aquaculture industry.

This part of the report gives descriptions of therecommended marine national parks, marinesanctuaries and special management areas. See theExecutive Summary for a table of changes to therecommendations since the Draft Report.


Note that in February 1998, the ECC provided thethen Minister with a final recommendation for amarine park at Port Phillip Heads. In December 1998the Minister asked the Council to review therecommendation having regard to the incompatibilityof incorporating major shipping channels in a marinepark. The revised recommendation is included in thissection.

Recommended areas

Marine National ParkA4 Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park

Marine SanctuariesB7 Point Cook Marine SanctuaryB8 Jawbone Marine SanctuaryB9 Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary

Special Management AreasC7 Clifton SpringsC8 Werribee River estuaryC9 Capel Sound



0 1 2

Kilometres

Portsea PierPORTSEA HOLE

South Channel Fort

SWAN BAY

POINT NEPEAN

Pt Nepean

POINTLONSDALE

POPES EYE

GREAT SANDS

Queenscliff

Pt Lonsdale

Mud Islands

Swan Island

Portsea

SorrentoSullivan Bay

West Channel Pile

St Leonards

Police PointObservation Point

Duck Island

Cheviot Beach

Nepean BayPt Lonsdale

Jetty

Lonsdale Bay

Edwards Point

Pt Norgate

Swan Pt

Swan Bay Jetty

Diamond Bay

Marine National Park

�

Locality Map

Mornington Peninsula National Park

A4 Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park

Southern Port Phillip Bay and the Port Phillip Heads area contain some of Victoria’smost treasured marine and coastal environments, within easy access of Melbourneand Geelong. The six areas making up the recommended park have outstandingenvironmental, cultural and recreational values.




• One of five marine national parks (with Yaringa,French Island, Churchill Island and Corner Inlet)proposed for Victoria’s Embayments biophysicalregion. The small part of the park on the opencoast falls within Victoria’s Central biophysicalregion.

• Located at the southern end of Port Phillip Bay,including the entrance to the bay at Port PhillipHeads.

• Made up of six separate areas:– Swan Bay;– Great Sands (Mud Islands);– Point Lonsdale;– Point Nepean;– Popes Eye; and– Portsea Hole.


Background

In February 1998 the Environment ConservationCouncil provided an Interim Report to the thenMinister for Conservation and Land Managementprepared in accordance with its terms of reference.

In the Interim Report, the ECC recommendedestablishment of a major multiple-use marine parkof 17 453 hectares in southern Port Phillip Bay – thePort Phillip Heads Marine Park. The proposed marinepark was made up of two highly protected sanctuaryzones and five highly protected special nature sitestotalling 3 525 ha or about 20% of the park. Theremainder of the area was recommended to beavailable for recreational fishing and some forms ofcommercial fishing. Shipping areas, including theshipping routes to the Ports of Melbourne andGeelong, and associated channels, were recommendedto be included in the park as a shipping zone.

The Port Phillip Heads area was considered a priorityfor the establishment of a marine park because of itswide range of natural and recreational values and itsready accessibility to large numbers of people. PortPhillip Bay is Melbourne’s most importantrecreational area.

In December 1998 the then Minister, under section17(3) of the Act, requested that the Council reviewthe recommendation for Port Phillip Heads MarinePark, having regard to the incompatibility ofincorporating major shipping channels in a marine park.

Matters considered in the review

In undertaking the review, the ECC took into accounttwo factors in addition to the issues relating toshipping channels: the ECC’s reconsidered approachto marine protected areas (outlined above insection 3.2 of this report); and changes in fisheriesmanagement arrangements for bays and inlets,abalone, rock lobster and crabs.

Although the Port Phillip Heads proposal in theInterim Report was a final recommendation toGovernment as required under the terms of reference,and formal submissions could therefore not bereceived, there was a considerable amount ofcommunity input on the recommended marine park(see Community views below).

Shipping channelsDeclared port waters for the Port of Melbourne aregazetted under the provisions of the Port Services Act1995. The Victorian Channels Authority exercisescertain functions in relation to declared port waters.Parts of the channels must be routinely modified inorder to maintain safe navigable water. SouthChannel, for example, requires regular maintenancedredging, and the associated dredge spoil sites arenecessary for channel maintenance. In addition toregular maintenance, enhancement of shippingchannels may be required in the future, includingdeepening or blasting in some areas.

There are three small areas within the previouslyrecommended special nature sites that fall withindeclared port waters: Popes Eye, Portsea Hole andthe Lonsdale Wall area. Of these, Popes Eye iscurrently set aside as a marine reserve. None of theseareas are within major shipping channels.

ECC’s approach to marine protected areasSince the Interim Report was released in 1998 theECC has reviewed its approach to marine parks, andis proposing a system of highly protected areasoutlined in section 3.7 of this report. No multiple-use marine parks are recommended in the FinalReport.

Fisheries management arrangementsThe previous recommendation for the Port PhillipHeads Marine Park included disallowing commercialharvesting of scalefish by netting, long lining andtrapping within the park. Since the Interim Reportwas released, the process of voluntary buy-back ofcommercial scale fishery access licences in Victoria’sbays and inlets has been completed. The buy-back



has reduced the number of Port Phillip Bay/WesternPort Bay commercial scale fish licences from 116 to54, reducing the likelihood of any substantial increasein commercial fishing effort in Port Phillip Bay inthe future.

To increase protection levels in the park, the previousrecommendations for the Port Phillip Heads MarinePark also included a proposed reduction in the dailyrecreational bag limit for abalone to five, rock lobsterto one, and the introduction of a bag limit for crabsof 15. Since then, changes in fisheries managementarrangements for recreational abalone harvesting,recreational rock lobster harvesting and theintroduction of a recreational bag limit for crabs havebeen implemented for all Victorian waters.


A full description of the natural values and uses ofthe proposed Port Phillip Heads area can be foundin the ECC’s Interim Report (1998).

Southern Port Phillip Bay and the Port Phillip Headsarea contain some of Victoria’s most treasured marineand coastal environments. Foremost amongst theseare:

• the incised entrance to the Bay ( the Rip) and the“Heads” at Point Nepean and Point Lonsdale;

• spectacular dive sites such as the Lonsdale andNepean Walls;

• intertidal rock platforms at Cheviot and PointLonsdale;

• the coastal landscape of Point Nepean in theMornington Peninsula National Park;

• bottlenose dolphin populations;• sites listed under the Ramsar Convention for their

importance for migratory wading birds (SwanBay, Mud Islands);

• distinctive bird-dominated (nutrient-rich, guano-based) island ecosystem of Mud Islands;

• popular recreational dive locations (eg Popes Eye,Portsea Hole); and

• sheltered environments such as the seagrassmeadows of Swan Bay.

Recent reef monitoring programs found substantialdifferences in reef marine ecological communitiesalong the central Victorian coast. At the regional scale,the Wilsons Promontory region was well differentiatedfrom the more western Port Phillip Heads to Bunurongregion in terms of macrophyte, invertebrate and fishcommunity composition. The proposed Port PhillipHeads and Bunurong Marine National Parks were

found to share a number of marine ecologicalcommunities, but a number of others were distinctwithin the Port Phillip Heads area (see Appendix 6for details).

The reef biota changed considerably across the centralVictorian region, supporting the findings of O’Hara(1999) that this region is an area of rapid change inspecies composition.

Community views

Informal community input to the ECC on the PortPhillip Heads Marine Park proposal since the InterimReport was released has focused on the impacts onrecreational fishers in the Geelong region. Fisherswere particularly concerned about impacts on boat-based fishing activities in Swan Bay, although mostalso expressed support for marine habitat protection.Other concerns related to restrictions on shore-basedfishing on the open coast at Point Lonsdale.

Charter fishing operators using the Nepean Bay andLonsdale Bight areas were strongly opposed torestrictions on fishing in these areas, while dive charteroperators were largely supportive of therecommended park.

There was also strong community support for highlyprotected areas in the Point Phillip Heads area.However, conservation groups and scientists wereconcerned about the adequacy of the highly protectedareas, seeking additional protection for eastern SwanBay, Nepean Bay and Cheviot in particular.

Changes since the Interim Report

The major changes to the recommendations for PortPhillip Heads are as follows:

• a highly protected marine national park isrecommended, replacing the previousrecommendation for a larger multiple-use marinepark;

• two small areas in Swan Bay have been excludedfrom the park to provide for the continuationof recreational fishing in these areas;

• the western boundary of the Point Lonsdalesection has been moved a small distance to theeast to reduce the impact on recreational shore-based fishing; and

• an offshore extension to the highly protected areahas been recommended for the Point Nepeansection at Cheviot.




A summary of the implications of the recommendedPort Phillip Heads Marine Park is provided inAppendix 2 of the ECC’s Interim Report (1998). Thesummary was based on the information on costs andbenefits in previous LCC reports and on detailedinformation provided by Fisheries Victoria and othersections of NRE.

The revised recommendations for the Port PhillipHeads Marine National Park in this report modifythe previously identified social and economic impactsin the following ways:

• impacts on commercial netting, long-lining andfish trapping have been reduced as a result ofthe exclusion of the multiple-use areas from themarine national park, and therefore allowing thecontinuation of current fishing activities in theseareas;

• impacts on commercial abalone harvesting haveincreased as a result of the offshore extensionto the Point Nepean section at Cheviot;

• impacts on recreational fishing have been reducedby excluding two small areas in Swan Bay fromthe park, and moving the western boundary ofthe Point Lonsdale section of the parkapproximately 500 metres from Fellows Rd toBuckleys Rd;

• changes in fisheries management arrangementssince the Interim Report (outlined in Mattersconsidered in the review above) have also contributedto a reduction in overall impact of therecommendation on both commercial andrecreational fisheries.

The value of commercial fishing in the park is difficultto estimate because of the coarse resolution of thedata, but in 1996/97 was about 33 tonnes of abaloneor 4.7% of the Central Zone catch quota. Industryreports that the catch from this area has diminishedin recent years. The rock lobster catch was estimatedat less than 1.0 tonne or 1.5% of the Eastern Zonecatch.


• Five significant areas in the southern Port PhillipBay region were set aside in 1979 as the HaroldHolt Marine Reserves – the Point Nepean, PointLonsdale, Mud Islands, Swan Bay and Popes Eye(The Annulus) Marine Reserves. Except forPopes Eye, various forms of fishing arepermitted in the existing reserves. These reserveswill be largely incorporated within the Port PhillipHeads Marine National Park.

• In 1997 NRE initiated an on-going monitoringprogram for Victoria’s marine environment. Thisprogram has an emphasis on existing andproposed marine protected areas. By December1999, 57 reef monitoring sites were establishedalong the central Victorian coastline, including15 sites in the Port Phillip Heads area, bothwithin and outside the recommended marinenational park.. At each site, the abundances offish, invertebrate and macroalgal species aremeasured using the same quantitative techniques.This systematic sampling has resulted in a largedata set for the description and comparison ofreef assemblages at a range of spatial scales, andcomprises a baseline for performance assessmentof the park.

Recommendation

A4 (i) That the Port Phillip Heads MarineNational Park of 3 340 ha shown onMap A be used in accordance with thegeneral recommendations for marinenational parks outlined on page 43;

(ii) that commercial netting continue to beprohibited from that part of Swan Bayoutside the recommended marinenational park as at present; and

(iii) that collection of flora and fauna beprohibited from the intertidal area ofthe Mornington Peninsula NationalPark between the boundary of theMarine National Park and LondonBridge.

References: 25, 40, 146, 147, 176, 242, 258, 264,313, 375, 407.



B7 Point Cook Marine Sanctuary


• The sanctuary includes a typical example of thevery shallow western shore of Port Phillip Baywith narrow beaches of mud and sand.

• Basalt reefs within the proposed sanctuarysupport a community of algae and associatedepibenthic fauna. Sponges, bryozoans, sea-stars,sea-urchins, anemones, ascidians, shellfish,crustaceans, molluscs, sharks, skates and manyother species of fish occur in this area.

• The significant wetlands of the adjoining PointCook Coastal Park are part of the Port PhillipBay (Western Shoreline) Ramsar area. TheRamsar area, together with an area 300 metresoffshore (part of the existing marine reserve),are listed on the Register of the National Estate.


• The proposed sanctuary is popular for bird-watching, sightseeing, diving and snorkelling.

• Boat-based recreational fishing is popular alongmuch of this coastline. Reef areas are popularfor fishing for some species, eg snapper, and theSheoak, a reef south of the sanctuary, providesgood fishing grounds.

• The major commercial activity is abaloneharvesting. The larger marine national parkrecommended in the Draft Report took in partsof the Sheoak reef complex as well as the PointCook reef. Between 1988/89 and 1996/97 theaverage catch from the Point Cook Reef was23.3 tonnes, or approximately 3.3% of the CentralZone catch. This is a significant reef for abalone

divers due to the relatively benign conditions ofthe bay, and the typically higher prices paid forsmaller abalone from Port Phillip Bay, and industryreports that abalone catches have significantlyincreased in recent years.

• The general area is important to commercialfinfish fishers, with seining operations takingplace between the Sheoak and the Point Cookreefs. Some of the areas for seining shotsbetween the reefs will remain available tocommercial fishers.

• The recommendations in the Draft Report havebeen amended largely to reduce the impact oncommercial abalone fishers, commercial netfishers, and recreational fishers.


• Ecological monitoring will be facilitated by theamendment of the boundary to take in the entirePoint Cook reef, and comparisons with theSheoak reef to the south west where fishing willcontinue to take place.

• The recommended sanctuary is readily accessible.Parks Victoria currently run an educational andinterpretative summer program in the adjacentcoastal park.

RecommendationB7 That the Point Cook Marine Sanctuary of

approximately 290 ha shown on Map A beused in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

Point Cook MarineSanctuary is located about10 km east of Werribee,adjoining Point CookCoastal Park, and includesthe existing Point CookMarine Reserve.

The area of approximately290 ha is recommended forits contribution torepresentation of westernshoreline environments ofPort Phillip Bay, and for theready accessibility of itsrelatively intact habitats tothe population ofMelbourne.



B8 Jawbone Marine Sanctuary


• The site supports habitats including rocky basaltreef, seagrass beds, intertidal flats, saltmarsh andthe largest occurrence of mangroves in PortPhillip Bay.

• The reef has a diverse algal community andassociated fauna which is, for Port Phillip Bay,unusually unmodified. The softer subtidalsediments are fine clayey sands, which supporthigh species richness.

• The basalt platform is a roosting site formigratory waders.


• The area of the proposed sanctuary is used forboth commercial and recreational fishing, as wellas the collection of shellfish.

• Port Phillip Bay net fishermen use mesh nets andbeach seines in this area to target snapper, whitingand other species, with small but reliable catches.

• Recreational fishers use areas off the Jawbonefor targeting large snapper, especially in someof the holes off the point.

• Commercial harvest of abalone has virtuallyceased in this area, reportedly due to recreationalpressure.

• The western boundary of the sanctuary has beenmoved away from the mouth of the KororoitCreek, reflecting community concern about pastdredging in this area.


• The areas around the old Williamstown RifleRange have been protected from human accesssince the turn of the century until the late 1980swhen the Commonwealth sold the Rifle Range.Since then there has been significant damage tosensitive mangrove and saltmarsh areas, as peoplehave sought access to harvest shellfish. Therehave also been changes in size and abundanceof intertidal shellfish, in particular the gastropodsTurbo undulatus and Cellana tramoserica (Keough etal. 1993).

• Land access to the area is restricted, andrestrictions should be maintained.

• Boundaries have been located to facilitateenforcement, and will require onshore andoffshore markers at appropriate points.

Recommendation

B8 That the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary ofapproximately 30 ha shown on Map A beused in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

Jawbone Marine Sanctuaryis located at Williamstownless than 10 km from thecentre of Melbourne,adjacent to the formerWilliamstown Rifle Range.

The area of approximately30 ha is recommended forits ecological values, itscontribution to representationof Port Phillip Bayenvironments, and for itssignificance as a scientificreference area.



B9 Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary


• The sanctuary includes rocky (sandstone)intertidal and subtidal habitats, sandy beaches andsubtidal soft substrates.

• The offshore reefs have a high diversity of floraand fauna.


• In response to community input, the area of therecommended sanctuary has been significantlyreduced. The boundary of the recommendedarea now begins in line with Fourth Street, northof Quiet Corner, seaward to the nearest cardinalmark, following the marks to Ricketts Pointacross Watkins Bay and to the cardinal mark atTable Rock then on shore at Sparks Street.

• The amended boundary captures the subtidalnearshore reefs, while leaving most of theimportant boat-based recreational fishing spots.

• Commercial fishers have used the area inside thecardinal marks in the past. This area hasdiminished in importance over the past few years,especially for commercial abalone harvesting.


• The site is readily accessible to large numbers ofpeople, providing a major resource for publicenjoyment and education, but also creating majorchallenges for management.

• The area’s popularity for recreational fishing,diving, snorkelling, shellfish collection andschools education, has resulted in pressure onspecies using the reef and overall degradationof the area.

• Current management arrangements for theforeshore should continue, but integratedarrangements should be developed with themarine sanctuary.

Recommendation

B9 That the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuaryof approximately 120 ha shown on Map Abe used in accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine sanctuariesoutlined on page 45.

Ricketts Point MarineSanctuary is located atBeaumaris, in Melbourne.

The area of approximately120 ha extends about500 metres offshore andfollows the cardinal marks.It is recommended for itscontribution to representationof eastern shorelineenvironments of PortPhillip Bay, and itspotential for publiceducation and enjoymentof marine environments.




C7 Clifton Springs

ValuesThis 785 ha area contains some of thebest examples of intertidal andsubtidal seagrass (Heterozostera.tasmanica, Zostera muelleri) in theGeelong Arm of Port Phillip Bay andis an important area for settlement oflarval fish, including King Georgewhiting and shark. The seagrass atClifton Springs are part of a largerseagrass meadow extending westwardfrom Point Richards to Point Henry.

Management issuesThe seagrass meadows in the Geelong Arm have experienced substantialdieback and regrowth in past years and continue to be threatened by poorwater quality, introduced pests such as the European tube worm, Sabella, aswell as physical damage from propeller scour and anchoring. Management ofthe area should focus on ensuring the continued health of the seagrass beds,in the context of overall protection of seagrasses in the Geelong Arm andPort Phillip Bay. Activities that may damage seagrass and its associated marinelife (eg some forms of boating and anchoring, dredging, dredge spoil disposal)should be regulated within this area.

Land access to the site is restricted, however there is good boat access fromthe Clifton Springs and Portarlington boat ramps. Some boating and recreationalfishing occurs within this area, whilst commercial fishing tends to beconcentrated in the western areas of the site. There may be potential to developa visitor education facilities at Portarlington to highlight the important ecologicalrole of seagrass communities in the bay.

Kilometres




C8 Werribee River estuary

ValuesThis 50 ha area is situated adjacent tothe suburb of Werribee South, andincludes the lower estuarine waters ofthe Werribee River. MelbourneWater’s Western Treatment Plant islocated on the western side of theriver.

The Werribee River estuary has anumber of recognised environmentaland recreational values, includingimportant habitat for waterbirds,geological and geomorphologicalsignificance, value for recreationalfishing and boating, and potentialvalue for nature-based tourism. Management issues

There is strong potential to enhance the environmental and recreationalassets of this area, as a cooperative community project. Management planningfor the area should involve NRE, the Port Phillip Catchment and LandProtection Board, Melbourne Water, local government, local Aboriginalpeople, adjacent landholders and the community.

C9 Capel Sound

ValuesThis 420 ha area lies offshore fromRosebud, and encompasses the wreckof the Hurricane and a hard coral reef.The area lies about 400 metres westof the end of the jetty, extending westfor 2.3 km and north for 1–3 km.

The area surrounding the Hurricaneis noted in particular for an unusuallyextensive bed of pink sea pens, andnumerous reef fish. The reef, whichemerges from the sea floor at 9 metresdepth and rises to about 6 metres, hasa colourful understorey, dominated byan extensive covering of hard coral.Hard corals are relatively uncommonin Victoria.

Management issuesThe hard coral areas are vulnerable to disturbance by aquarium collectors, andcollection should be prohibited. Recreational line fishing for pelagic fish suchas snapper and whiting is popular in summer in this area. To enhance protectionof reef communities in this very limited and vulnerable area, spearfishing andcommercial fishing for reef fish should be prohibited.



Western Port

This section sets out the recommendations formarine protected areas for Western Port

The waters of Western Port cover nearly 700 km2,more than a third of which are exposed as mud flatsat low tide. Western Port is included in Victoria’s Bays,Inlets and Estuaries biophysical region, equivalent toIMCRA’s Victorian Embayments region. Two largeislands are situated within the bay, French Island andPhillip Island. The bay has very high natural valuesand the whole area is listed as a wetland ofinternational importance under the RamsarConvention. Western Port has an unusually widerange of habitat types, including deep channels,extensive seagrass meadows, mangroves andsaltmarsh. Two thirds of Victorian bird species havebeen recorded in the bay.

Community interest in the quality of the Western Portenvironment and concern about potential impacts ofdevelopment has been strong for many years. Theloss of intertidal seagrass habitat in Western Port wasfirst reported in the north eastern sector of the bayduring the early 1970s. Reduction in seagrass habitatcontinued – up to 70% of total cover and 85% ofbiomass by 1976 – and subsequent changes in catchesof commercial fish, bird life, water quality and habitatvalue have been linked to the decline.

Other changes placing stress on the marineenvironment of Western Port included increased loadsof freshwater, sediments, nutrients and contaminants.The rapidly expanding urban development in thecatchment in areas such as Pakenham, Berwick andCranbourne will further increase stress on the inputstreams and Western Port.

Recent investigations indicate that there has beenlimited recovery of seagrass (a total of 30% in areabut limited increase in biomass), and many of thecatchment issues are being addressed in the EPA’sdraft State Environment Protection Policy forWestern Port (released in June 2000). It is recognisedthat the long-term management of the Western Port

catchment is critical if Western Port is to maintainits valuable environmental, commercial andrecreational resources.

The bay supports a commercial fishing industry anda growing recreational fishery. Hastings in the north-western part of the bay is one of Victoria’s four majorcommercial ports, with most ships carrying liquid fuel.The deep water in the Western Entrance and NorthArm of Western Port is significant for deep draughtshipping. No other harbour in Victoria and few inAustralia provide sheltered water of such depth.

This part of the report gives descriptions of therecommended marine national parks and specialmanagement areas for Western Port. See theExecutive Summary for a table of changes to therecommendations since the Draft Report.

Section 3.7 of this report provides an overview ofthe recommendations for marine protected areas andaquaculture areas, including recommendations forpermitted uses and activities.

Note that the ECC is recommending that theGovernment investigate the establishment of aBiosphere Reserve for Western Port (see page 50).

Recommended areas

Marine National ParksA5 Yaringa Marine National ParkA6 French Island Marine National ParkA7 Churchill Island Marine National Park

Special Management AreasC10 Honeysuckle ReefC11 Crawfish RockC12 Bass River deltaC13 San RemoC14 Rhyll



A5 Yaringa Marine National Park

This recommended park is one of three in Western Port. It protects intertidal mudflatsand extensive mangrove and saltmarsh areas in one of the least disturbed and leastaccessible parts of the bay.


• One of five marine national parks (with PortPhillip Heads, French Island, Churchill Island andCorner Inlet), proposed for the Victoria’sEmbayments biophysical region.

• Located in Western Port, about 9 km south-westof Tooradin, and adjacent to Quail Island NatureConservation Reserve.

• Extends along the coastline north of Yaringaprivate marina to the eastern coastline of QuailIsland.

• Approximately 930 hectares.


• The following bay habitat types are representedin the park: saltmarsh, mangroves, shelteredintertidal mudflats and subtidal soft sedimentsin tidal channels.

• The relatively undisturbed mangrove (Avicenniamarina) and saltmarsh habitats of Watson Inletand Quail Islands are of State geomorphologicalsignificance. Mangroves are a vital part of thebay ecosystem and provide important habitat fornumerous invertebrates including crustaceans

(crabs, shrimps and sand hoppers), marine snailsand bivalves, adult and juvenile fish.

• The intertidal mud flats are of national zoologicalsignificance, with many waterbirds and wadersroosting among the mangroves and wadersforaging in the surrounding muddy substrates.

• The area is part of the Western Port Ramsarwetlands.

• The adjacent coast, including the coast of QuailIsland, supports good examples of sandheathland, coastal saltmarsh, and low woodlanddominated by coast manna gum. Quail andChinaman Islands are considered to be of Statebotanical and zoological significance. Currentlythey are managed as a nature conservationreserve, extending 150 metres out from the highwater mark.

Community views

The local community, in general, supported theproposal although some concern was expressed aboutloss of recreational fishing grounds. No changes havebeen made to this recommended park.




Recreation and tourismThe area is not readily accessible by land or sea, andonly limited recreational fishing takes place. Therewill be no restrictions on boating and other non-harvesting activities. The impact of the restrictionon recreational fishing will be minimal as there iscurrently little fishing in the proposed park.

Development and dredging activities which impactupon the natural values of this park will not beallowed. The channel leading into the nearby marinashould continue to be maintained by dredging. Thisdredging should continue to be managed so thatimpacts on the park are minimal.

Commercial fishingOnly a very limited amount of fishing takes placewithin the proposed park, specifically mesh nettingfor mullet.


• Access to the site is limited due to the shallownature of the channels.

• The location of the proposed park adjacent tothe existing North Western Port NatureConservation Reserve will facilitate management.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing,dredging etc, take place. Areas near RutherfordInlet and Chinaman Island could be included ina monitoring program.

Recommendation

A5 That the Yaringa Marine National Park of930 ha shown on Map A be used inaccordance with the generalrecommendations for marine national parksoutlined on page 43.

References: 25, 247, 267, 361, 376, 388.



A6 French Island Marine National Park

This recommended park is one of three in Western Port. It protects seagrass beds aswell as intertidal mudflats, areas of deeper channels, mangroves and saltmarsh.


• One of five marine national parks (with PortPhillip Heads, Yaringa, Churchill Island andCorner Inlet) proposed for the Victoria’sEmbayments biophysical region.

• Located about 10 km south of Tooradin, andadjacent to the northern shoreline of FrenchIsland National Park.

• Extending approximately 15 km along thenorthern shore of French Island; the park’snorthern boundary follows North Arm and theHorseshoe Channel.



• The following bay habitat types are representedin the park: seagrass beds, mangroves, shelteredintertidal mudflats, sandy beaches and subtidalsoft sediments in tidal channels.

• The north shore of French Island is one of themajor areas of saltmarsh and mangrove fringein Victoria and is of State geomorphologicalsignificance.

• The proposed park contains areas of seagrass(Heterozostera tasmanica and Zostera muelleri)including some areas where little loss of seagrasshas been recorded. These are nursery areas forfish, including commercially important speciessuch as whiting.

• Includes a well-developed tidal channel systemof varying depth, profiles and orientationscontributing to the high diversity of habitats.

• The area is part of the Western Port Ramsarwetlands. Intertidal flats are significant wader andforaging habitat used by 32 migratory species.

• Includes the waters around Barralier Island – oneof the the bay’s 13 high tide roost sites – areasparticularly sensitive to disturbance.

Community views

Input from the local community centred on difficultyof identification of boundaries due to exclusion ofPost Office Channel from the park. The boundarieshave been straightened and the Post Office Channelis now included within the park.

Commercial and recreational fishers were concernedabout restrictions on their fishing activities in this



area, although most supported a smaller park in thislocation, or a marine protected area that would allowfishing to continue.

There was a high level of community concern aboutcatchment activities and the poor condition of theWestern Port environment.

Other nearby areas that were reconsidered during thepublic consultation on this proposal included varioussections of Western Port waters bordering thenorthern and western shores of French Island. Onbalance, the recommended park is believed to bestprovide for conservation of a range of habitats withan acceptable level of impact on current uses.


Recreation and tourismPopular area for boat-based recreational fishing forKing George whiting, rock flathead, snapper,southern sea garfish, mostly in deeper channelsoutside of, or towards the outer boundaries of thepark. There will be no restrictions on boating andother non-harvesting activities.

Commercial fishingCurrent commercial fishing activities include meshnetting and seining. The following estimates offisheries catch and value were provided by MAFRIand are based on the 1996/97 year to allow consistentcomparisons between areas. See Appendix 5 for afuller discussion of fisheries estimates.

The major commercial activities are mesh netting,seining for King George whiting and garfish, andlonglining for snapper, valued in total at $85 000. TheECC believes that the inclusion of Post OfficeChannel will not significantly affect this value.


• The proposed park is readily accessible fromWarneet, Blind Bight, Tooradin and otherWestern Port shore jetties.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing, takeplace. Areas, west of the proposed park,adjoining the shoreline of French Island, couldbe included in a monitoring program.

Recommendation

A6 That the French Island Marine National Parkof 2 700 ha shown on Map A be used inaccordance with the generalrecommendations for marine national parksoutlined on page 43.

References: 25, 242, 247, 267, 361, 376, 388.



A7 Churchill Island Marine National Park

The recommended park is one of three in Western Port. It protects a variety of shelteredhabitats, including intertidal mudflats, seagrass beds and deep channels.


• One of five marine national parks (with PortPhillip Heads, Yaringa, French Island and CornerInlet), proposed for the Victoria’s Embaymentsbiophysical region.

• Located south of Rhyll, on the eastern shore ofPhillip Island.

• Extends from Long Point south of Rhylltownship to the north point of Churchill Islandand along the island’s western shore to the bridge.

• Approximately 675 hectares.

Environmental value

• The following bay habitat types are representedin the park: seagrass beds, mangroves, shelteredintertidal mudflats, sandy beaches, subtidal softsediments in tidal channels and rocky intertidalhabitats (cobble and shingle).

• Significant roosting and feeding habitat formigratory waders.

• The intertidal mud flats extending from Rhyll toNewhaven are of State significance, and the areafrom Rhyll Inlet to Churchill Island is of national

significance as part of a group of primaryforaging areas for the 32 migratory waders foundin Western Port (especially whimbrels and bar-tailed godwits).

• The area is part of the Western Port Ramsarwetlands.

• Seagrasses Zostera muelleri, Amphibolis antarctica andHeterozostera tasmanica.

• The raised beach between Chambers Point andLong Point and the adjacent Churchill Island areof State geological and geomorphologicalsignificance.

Community views

Input from the local community centred on concernsabout the loss of boat-based recreational fishing inthe channels, and potential flow-on impacts to localbusinesses dependent on recreational fishing visitors.

Scientists and conservation groups expressed the viewthat the proposed park did not adequately reflect thefull range of intertidal and subtidal habitats in thearea. Other groups commented that the significantareas for migratory waders were not included in thepark.



The boundaries of the park have been amended andthe area of the park substantially reduced to lessenthe potential impact on local businesses andrecreational fishing. Further changes to therecommended park would not be possible withoutsignificantly reducing the ecological viability of thepark.


Impacts on coastal communitiesThe nearest coastal town to this park is Rhyll with anestimated population of 430 residents.

Rhyll is a small coastal community with a high levelof holiday housing (approximately 50% of dwellings)and a high share of retirees (about 44% compared tothe State average of 16%). Consumer services accountfor 29% of employed residents. Although not all ofemployed residents work in Rhyll, the town’s businessprofile indicate there are six businesses classified asretail trade, or accommodation, cafes and restaurants– servicing visitors to Rhyll, including recreationalfishers. The Churchill Island Marine National Park,which does not include the major recreational fishinggrounds, is unlikely to impact on Rhyll’s economy.(See Appendix 4 for more details.)

Recreation and tourismThe general area is popular for boat-basedrecreational fishing and hand spearing, shore-basedsightseeing, and bird watching and other naturalhistory activities.

The areas which are particularly popular for boat-based recreational fishing – off Rhyll township, andparts of the channels between Rhyll and ChurchillIsland – are not included in the park, to minimiseimpacts on users.

There will be no restrictions on non-harvestingactivities.

Commercial fishingCurrent commercial fishing activities include meshnetting and beach seining. The following estimatesof fisheries catch and value were provided by MAFRIand are based on the 1996/97 year to allow consistentcomparisons between areas. See Appendix 5 for afuller discussion of fisheries estimates.

There is little commercial activity within this park,the major activity being mesh netting with some beachseining south of Rhyll. The estimated total value ofcommercial fishing for an area similar to the previous(larger) proposed area is $11 000. The full implicationsof the buy-back of commercial bay and inlet fishinglicences have yet to be determined, but it is likely thatcommercial fishing near Rhyll will decrease.


• Ready access from Pleasant Point, ChurchillIsland, Newhaven (boat ramp) and San Remowill allow visitors to enjoy the park.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing, takeplace. The area east of the recommended park,between Corinella and Reef Island, could beincluded in a monitoring program.

Recommendation

A7 That the Churchill Island Marine NationalPark of 675 ha shown on Map A be used inaccordance with the generalrecommendations for marine national parksoutlined on page 43.

References: 25, 242, 247, 267, 361, 376, 388.




C10 Honeysuckle Reef

ValuesThis 25 ha area is recommendedfor i ts diverse inter t idal reefcommunities. It is predominantlyflat and shallow, within a relativelysheltered bay area. HoneysuckleReef has a shallow pool area usedextensively by schools of youngfish. The small site includes mainlyintertidal reefs and some subtidalreefs. Part of the adjacent beach isused as a high t ide roost formigratory waders. The intertidalrock platform is used for rockyshore angling. The area is popularfor walking, beachcombing,sightseeing and some snorkelling.The subtidal reef also providesexcel lent oppor tunit ies forunderwater recreation.

Management issuesExtensive shellfish harvesting has depleted the intertidal and subtidalinvertebrate populations. Management of the area should focus ondeveloping and implementing strategies for restoration of the intertidal rockyreef communities, and minimising disturbance to high tide roosts.

C11 Crawfish Rock

ValuesThis 45 ha area is an unusualintertidal/subtidal reef located in thenorth-west of Western Port.Crawfish Rock is significant becauseit supports a benthic fauna withapparent affinities with deep watercommunities in Bass Strait. Due tohigh water turbidity around CrawfishRock reducing light penetration,many deep-water species of algae,hydroids and sponges occur atunusually shallow depths.

The Underwater Study Group ofVictoria (1971) described the highdensity of flora and fauna at thissite. Overall there are believed to bemore than 500 species present here.High numbers of species have beenrecorded for some groups – forexample, 150 species of sponges,123 hydroids and 34 ascidians.

Crawfish Rock also has a number of distinct communities characterised bydiffering combinations of light, current energy and substrate types. A recentvisit conducted by divers from the Marine Research Group indicates thatthe area has remained largely intact since the original 1971 survey.

Management issuesManagement should address specific strategies to protect the biological andscientific values of the site.




C12 Bass River delta

ValuesThis 635 ha area in eastern WesternPort has significant ecological values asa fish nursery, bird roost, and for itsdiversity of habitats including intertidalflats and subtidal areas. The shallowwaters of the Bass River delta supportdiverse fish life, and the area is a nurseryfor various species of shark andwhiting. The intertidal flats are foragingareas for waders associated with theadjoining high-tide roost at ReefIsland. The delta complex is ofgeomorphological significance andsupports significant mangrove-saltmarsh habitat, extensive intertidaland subtidal flats of bare sand, densealgal beds and seagrass. The delta is amajor boat-based recreational fishingarea with significant commercial seineand mesh netting activity. Whiting andflathead are the species predominantlytargeted.

Management issuesThe Bass River delta suffers from serious infestation of the exotic weedSpartina. Within a management planning process, threats to the ecologicalvalues of the site should be identified and appropriate protection measuresimplemented.

C13 San Remo

ValuesThis 70 ha site contains the onlymarine community listed under theFlora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Itis the only known example of itskind, comprising an extremely richopisthobranch (sea slugs) andbryozoan (sea mosses) community.125 species of opisthobranchs havebeen recorded at San Remo of whicheight are known only from this site.

The diversity of substrate typesincluding patches of sand, mud,boulders and vesicular, weatheredbasalt; the north-facing aspect; and thelow wave energy and proximity to afast-flowing tidal channel, are some ofthe factors that contribute to theexistence of this apparently rarecommunity. The site includes the edgeof a deep and fast-flowing tidalchannel, which is the most diverse partof the community.

Management issuesAn Action Statement has been prepared for this community under theprovisions of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. There are a number ofmeasures available under the Act to control works and activities which maypose a threat to the community. The status of the community should continueto be monitored.




C14 Rhyll

ValuesThis 375 ha area is within a primaryforaging area for 32 species ofmigratory waders. Rhyll Wetlands,(including Rhyll and RowellWetlands, Rhyll Inlet, andConservation Hill) have internationalsignificance as bird habitat and fallwithin the Western Port Ramsar area.

The Rhyll wetlands area, off thepreviously recommended specialmanagement area at ObservationPoint, is recognised as a major hightide roost, and the mudflats furthersouth are important feeding areasfor red-necked stints, curlewsandpipers, eastern curlews, anddouble-banded plovers. As well asabundant bird life, the low profilebasalt reef, mangroves, saltmarsh,soft sediments and dynamic sandspit, with a complex array of activeand relict geomorphologicalfeatures, are of high conservationvalue.

Management issuesThe recommendation includes an extension of the Rhyll Wetlands precinctof Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP), and additional intertidal mudflatsfurther south. The boundary of the site extends offshore from the westernboundary of the PINP, and eastwards from the PINP boundary at RhyllInlet. The offshore boundaries, with Reid Street as a reference, have beenadjusted for ease of identification.

Management should address strategies for protection of the values of the areafor migratory waders. Incorporation of the northern portion of this area(Observation Point) into the Phillip Island Nature Park should be considered.



Other bays, inlets and estuaries

This section sets out the recommendations formarine protected areas for bays, inlets andestuaries other than Port Phillip Bay andWestern Port. (Note that the Gippsland Lakesare specifically excluded under the Terms ofReference.)

Bays, inlets and estuaries have biophysicalcharacteristics that clearly distinguish them from theopen coast. They are typified by predominantly softsubstrates, restricted water exchange patterns and lowwave energy. Two habitat types – mangroves andintertidal flats with associated channel systems – occuronly in this biophysical region.

Victoria’s bays, inlets and estuaries contain a diverserange of biotic assemblages depending on theirphysical morphology and hydrological regimes.Corner Inlet, like Western Port, is a large, mostlyshallow estuarine area with extensive mudflats andseagrass beds. The small narrow estuaries in westernVictoria have an impoverished fauna compared tothose in the east which tend to be larger and betterwind-mixed. The dominant seagrasses are Zosteramuelleri and Heterozostera tasmanica, with large areas ofPosidonia australis occurring only in Corner Inlet, andthe east coast species Zostera capricorni reaching itssouthern limit in Mallacoota Inlet. Although all ofVictoria’s bays, inlets and estuaries are grouped inone biophysical region, individual areas are verydifferent from each other, and the larger bays andinlets are quite distinct.

Shallow Inlet and Anderson Inlet are small inlets insouth Gippsland, with significant values especially forwading birds. The Corner Inlet and Nooramunga areain south Gippsland is Victoria’s third largestembayment, and its natural values were recognisedin the mid 1980s when it was declared a marine andcoastal park. The whole area is listed as a wetland ofinternational importance under the RamsarConvention. The inlet supports a commercial fisheryand is also popular for recreational fishing andboating. There are four small ports in the area: PortFranklin, Port Welshpool, Port Albert and BarryBeach. Shallow Inlet and adjoining coastal land wasdeclared a marine and coastal park in the mid-1980s.

Both Shallow Inlet and Anderson Inlet are highlysignificant for migratory wading birds, and are verypopular for beach activities, recreational fishing andboating. Although Corner Inlet, Nooramunga andShallow Inlet in south Gippsland are marine andcoastal parks, no highly protected areas have beenestablished.

Most of Victoria’s inlets, lagoons and larger estuarieshave been heavily modified. Very few of the estuariesor their catchments are essentially unmodified. Ofthe less modified examples, most are included withinnational parks or other protected areas. Only thosein far East Gippsland, between Wingan Inlet and theBetka River (particularly the estuary areas ofShipwreck Creek, Seal Creek, Benedore River, RedRiver and Easby Creek), are essentially natural. Theserivers and their catchments are located in theSandpatch Wilderness area of CroajingolongNational Park, and are listed in the Heritage Rivers Act1992 as natural catchment areas. Given the very highsignificance of these areas, the high level of protectionalready afforded to them, and the fact that very fewsimilar estuaries are in such a natural condition, theECC believes that three of these five small estuariesshould remain as undisturbed as possible to providea benchmark against which the condition of otherestuaries can be measured (see Recommendation D4on page 50).

The management of particular areas within some baysand inlets is subject to international obligations toprotect wetlands and specific birds, such as theRamsar Convention on Wetlands of InternationalImportance and bilateral migratory bird agreementswith Japan and China. Catchment management plansand coastal action plans are an additional means toaddress management issues affecting smaller estuaries.

In western Victoria, estuary management is a specificfocus of current coastal planning being carried outby the Western Coastal Board. In eastern Victoria,many smaller inlets and estuaries are within nationalparks or other protected areas, and managementissues are dealt with through park managementplanning processes, eg Wingan and Tamboon Inletsin the Croajingolong National Park.



The recent voluntary buy-back of commercial baysand inlets fishing licences has resulted in the cessationof commercial fishing in Anderson Inlet, ShallowInlet, and only a small number of licences remain inLake Tyers, Tamboon Inlet and Mallacoota Inlet. Theremaining Lake Tyers and Tamboon Inlet licencesare non-transferable, and commercial fishing in thesesinlets will cease when the current licence holders exitthe fishery.

This part of the report gives descriptions of therecommended marine national park and specialmanagement area in Victoria’s Bays, Inlets andEstuaries biophysical region outside Port Phillip Bayand Western Port. Additional recommendationsrelating to existing parks can also be found in this

section on page 50. See the Executive Summary for atable of changes to the recommendations since theDraft Report.


Recommended areas

Marine National ParkA10 Corner Inlet Marine National Park

Special Management AreaC17 Mallacoota Inlet (parts)



A10 Corner Inlet Marine National Park

This recommended marine national park is within the well-known and popular CornerInlet Marine and Coastal Park and is the only highly protected area in Victoria’s thirdlargest bay. The shoreline varies from the low watery landscapes of the marshes anddunes to the dramatic backdrop of the granite peaks of Wilsons Promontory NationalPark. The park protects a variety of sheltered habitats such as intertidal mudflats,channels and seagrass beds including the only substantial beds of broad-leafed seagrass(Posidonia australis) in Victoria.


• One of five marine national parks (with PortPhillip Heads, Yaringa, French Island andChurchill Island), proposed for the Victoria’sEmbayments biophysical region.

• Located north of Wilsons Promontory andabout 6 km east of Yanakie, part of existingCorner Inlet and Marine and Coastal Park.

• Extends along approximately 11 kilometres ofcoastline east of Barry Creek to south of TinMine Cove.

• Approximately 4 150 hectares in size.


• Includes many open bay habitat types such asseagrass, mangrove, intertidal sandy beaches andsubtidal soft sediments.

• Contains samples of extensive seagrasscommunities, including the broad-leafed seagrass(Posidonia australis). Corner Inlet contains the onlyextensive beds of Posidonia in Victoria. ThePosidonia community is the most faunally diverse

of all habitats studied in the Corner Inlet-Nooramunga area. Other seagrasses includeZostera muelleri and Halophila ovalis.

• Very high diversity of invertebrates in soft sediments.• Part of the internationally listed Ramsar area,

especially significant for over-wintering,migratory wading birds. Corner Inlet supportsup to 50% of Victoria’s migratory waders and21.5% of Victoria’s total wading population.



Community views

Input from the local community centred on concernabout the impact on commercial fishers andrecreational fishers who generally opposed theproposal, and others who called for betterrepresentation of seagrass habitats.



An alternative proposal was submitted to the ECC,focusing on protection of intertidal mangrove andsaltmarsh habitats. However this proposal did notadequately protect the full range of seagrass and othersubtidal habitats in Corner Inlet.

The ECC has not made substantial changes to thisrecommended park, other than a small increase inarea to provide a better representation of Posidoniaand Halophila seagrasses.


Impacts on coastal communitiesThe nearest townships to this park are Foster, PortFranklin, Port Welshpool, and Toora with anestimated combined population of 1 750 residents.

Collectively, these four townships share a diverseeconomy. The largest proportion of employment(31% of employed residents) falls within theconsumer services sector, including retail trade andaccommodation, cafes and restaurants, and healthservices. Fifteen percent of residents are employedin the manufacturing sector and about 10% in theagriculture, forestry and fishing industry.

The implementation of Corner Inlet Marine NationalPark will have some impact on fishing industry (seebelow) but it is unlikely to affect the economy of thefour townships to any substantial degree (seeAppendix 4 for more details). However, these townshave been affected by major changes experienced inrural and regional Victoria over the last decade whichcan affect the way in which communities perceive anddeal with further change.

Recreation and tourismThe general area is popular for boating, boat-basedrecreational fishing and, to a lesser extent, diving. Partof the coastline adjacent to the proposed park is usedfor boat-based camping and coastal bushwalking.There will be no restrictions on boating, diving, andother non-harvesting activities.

The effect of the recommended park on recreationalfishing is likely to be limited due to the availability ofalternative areas in Corner Inlet.

Commercial fishingCurrent commercial fishing activities include estuary/beach seining and mesh netting. See Appendix 5 for afuller discussion of fisheries estimates.

This area is used by Corner Inlet licence holders,predominantly from Port Franklin and, to a lesserextent, Port Welshpool. Techniques used include seines,ring nets, mesh nets and snapper long lines. A varietyof species are caught in this area.

The MAFRI catch estimates are for a substantiallydifferent area to the current proposal, and hence arenot included here. However, with recent changes tothe catch reporting areas for Corner Inlet, an upperlimit can be put on the catch for this area. The proposedpark is within the catch and effort cell south of a linebetween Duck Point and Mount Singapore. In thefishing year 1998/99 the value of fish attributed tothis area was $325 000. It is estimated thatapproximately one third of the catch comes from thearea within the proposed park, hence the impact is aloss of areas that yield approximately $100 000 ofcatch.


• The proposed park is readily accessible by boat,mainly from Port Welshpool and Port Franklinbut also from Toora Beach and Yanakie Landing.

• Management of bay and inlet fisheries in Victoriais currently being reviewed by Government,including a voluntary buy back of commercialfishing licenses. The outcomes will influencemanagement of the proposed park.

• Monitoring and assessment of the effectivenessof the park will be assisted by comparison withsimilar areas where activities such as fishing takeplace. Other areas in Corner Inlet could beincluded in a monitoring program.

• The ECC has recommended that the intertidalarea of Wilsons Promontory Marine NationalPark between Tin Mine Cove and Millers Landingbe set aside as areas in which harvesting of floraand fauna is not permitted (see RecommendationD2 on page 50).

Recommendation

A10 That the Corner Inlet Marine NationalPark of 4 150 ha shown on Map A be usedin accordance with the generalrecommendations for marine nationalparks outlined on page 43.

References: 127, 147, 212, 275, 295, 304, 337, 372.




C17 Mallacoota Inlet (parts)

ValuesThis 340 ha area includes the tidaldelta area at the entrance to the inlet,and the Goodwin Sands. MallacootaInlet is the largest estuarine lagoonsystem in south-eastern Australia,and provides habitat for a widerange of flora and fauna. Threespecies of seagrass were recorded inMallacoota Inlet, Zostera muelleri,Heterozostera tasmanica and a speciesof Ruppia. Zostera muelleri is thedominant subtidal vegetation inMallacoota Inlet with the largest areain the tidal delta. Ruppia beds arerestricted to the Bottom Lake and aremost dense around the GoodwinSands area. A wide variety of birdsdepend on the inlet, includingCaspian, little, fairy and crestedterns, all of which breed onGoodwin Sands. Some of thesebirds are listed under the bilateralJapan Australia Migratory BirdsAgreement. Both the tidal delta andGoodwin Sands are of regionalgeological and geomorphologicalsignificance.

Management issuesThe islands on the Goodwin Sands are included in the Croajingolong NationalPark. Management of the recommended areas should complementmanagement of the wildlife values of the islands.

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