World Marine National Parks - Individual Summaries
Published on Wednesday 4 January 2006
AUSTRALIA
NAME Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park 2002 (Most terrestrial areas reserved since 1905) 356 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
LOCATION 220 kilometres Southeast of Melbourne
SIZE 70 Kilometres of Mainland Coast and 15,500 hectares of sea and islands
SCENERY Underwater: granite cliffs and boulders, reefs and sand with attendant flora and fauna Islands: puffins, seals and seabirds
PURPOSE To maintain marine ecosystems, enjoyed by visitors and protected from the effects of inappropriate activities 1200 known species, 90% of which only found in Southern Australian waters, including 65 species at the edge of their habitat
ACTIVITIES Diving including wrecks, snorkelling, swimming, boating, bird- watching Prohibited Fishing, netting, spearing, or taking or killing marine life from shore or sea
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 has specific provisions for Marine Parks and Reserves Parks Victoria for the State of Victoria In 2001 Environment Conservation Council recommended detailed Management plans to be drawn up within next 3 years for 13 Marine National Parks and 11 Marine Sanctuaries Legislation by Parliament of Victoria June 2002, effected November Draft Management Plan November 2004 Aboriginal coastal communities have strong interest in management. Interpretation and Education Centre + Ranger
SPECIAL NOTES The largest Marine National Park in Australia
NEARBY Wilsons Promontory National Park Corner Inlet Marine and Coastal Park Shallow Inlet Marine and Coastal Park
SEYCHELLES
NAME Ste Anne Marine National Park Designated 1973, but Seychelles became independent 1976 www.sey.net/isl_natparks.htm Associated with adjacent Baie Ternay and Kat Lannay Marine National Parks
LOCATION Off the coast of Mahe and 4 kilometres from Victoria (capital)
SIZE Six islands: Ste Anne, Long, Beacon (5 acres), Round, Cerf, Moyenne: includes 'the shore'?
SCENERY Granitic islands with highest peak 246 metres (Ste Anne)
PURPOSE Preservation 10 endemic species of birds and 17 endemic subspecies 930 species of fish
ACTIVITIES (Small entrance fee) Tourism from mainland in glass bottomed boats and semi-submarines, snorkelling, scuba diving and walking trails Prohibited Fishing, collecting of coral, shells and live shellfish Water skis and surf boards Access to Long Island (Prison and Quarantine) Anchoring specifically prohibited
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT National Parks and Nature Conservancy Commission in Seychelles The National Parks and Conservancy Ordinance 1967 -1973 (no specific provision for marine environment) The Ste Anne Marine Park Regulations 1973 The Commission and Regulations are central and cover all National Parks and Conservancies: have specific regulations for Marine Parks Moyenne Island has been owned since 1962 by an Englishman (Brendan Grimshaw), Round Island is owned by Peter Hower Unusually the residents are excepted from some of the regulations
SPECIAL NOTES First such Park in Indian Ocean Site of first French Settlement in 1770
NEARBY Aldabra Atholl and Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, both World Heritage Sites and administered by Seychelles Island Foundation Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahe Praslin National Park Silhouette Island Over 12 Marine Protected Areas
INDONESIA
NAME Wakatobi Marine National Park, Eastern Indonesia 1996 The Nature Conservancy, SE Asia Center for Marine Protected Areas (SEACMPA) 9 Jalan Pengembak no 2, Sanur, BALI 80228, Indonesia www.opwall.com/2004 Wakatobi
LOCATION South-east of Sulawesi and islands of Boton and Binongo, consisting of Watakobi islands of Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko (Very difficult to access)
SIZE 1,390,000 hectares (3.4 million acres) Second largest protected area in Indonesia
SCENERY Islands are close together + spectacular coral reefs at heart of Indo-Pacific area where greatest diversity of hard corals present 12 species of whales and 18 of dolphins and 6 of sea turtles regularly use these waters 1,650 known fish species
PURPOSE (80,000 people rely on reefs and inter-tidal area for their livelihood) Increase income of community Sustainable management of reef fisheries Ensure awareness of rules and regulations of MNP Maintain biodiversity Maintain area of mature mangrove and sea-grass beds (Problem is open access to all reefs)
ACTIVITIES Marine Research Centre in conjunction with Coral Research Unit (CRRU) of University of Essex in conjunction with Operation Wallacea Trust Monitoring by volunteers There are proposals to develop tourism: dive-based, back-pack and up-market ecotourism
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT Wakatobi National Park Authority is working with The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund to redesign park's management plan and zoning system Local rangers
NEARBY Bunaken National Marine Park
THAILAND
NAME Angthong National Marine Park 1974 National Parks Division, Bankok (Director Mr Somkiat Luan Bumrung Angthong Marine National Park Office 26/1 Noo 5 Talatlang-Paknam Road, Surat Thani 8400, Indonesia www.samui.org/angtnong
LOCATION In the Gulf of Thailand (East of Thailand) 3 kilometres NW of Koh Samui Island
SIZE 250 sq. kilometres including 50 sq. kilometres of islands all close to each other: 40 in number, highest 400 metres
SCENERY Rocky limestone cliffs with lagoons, caves, tropical forests and coral reefs, including salt lake Wua Talap includes fishing village. Bophut now given over to tourism, wild life, birds and fish
PURPOSE Conservation for Tourism
ACTIVITIES Boat trips, snorkelling, swimming, walking Prohibited Overnight stays except on main island, Wua Talap Usually closed for 2 months each year for regeneration of main island forest and marine life
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT Managed by Royal Forestry Department Park Office and Administration on Wua Talap (Largest island)
SPECIAL NOTES Location for novel 'The Beach' by Alex Garland (beach drop- out novel)
NEARBY Taruntao National Marine Park 1974 Ao phang Nga National Marine Park Kao Laem Ya-Ko Samet National Park
SCOTLAND
NAME Hebridean Marine National Park Partnership Constitution agreed 1.9.04 Hebridean National Park Partnership Kinvara, Bonawe, OBAN PA37 1RL e-mail: hebrideanpartnership@virgin.net Tel. 01631-7502247 www.hmnpp.org.uk/
LOCATION Includes Mallaig, Isles of Rum and Canna to North Isles of Coll and Tiree to West Gulf of Corryvreckan (between Jura and Scarba) and Crinan to South Incorporating all the sea lochs and watershed Within Latitude 56.50 N and 57.05 N and Longitude 005 W and 007 W
SIZE Not clear
SCENERY Rocky shores, golden sandy beaches, deep, sheltered sea lochs and mountain background. Relatively warm sea water Habitats include maerl beds, scrupled reefs, salt marsh and machair
PURPOSE To establish a National Marine Park in order to: Protect habitat, fauna and flora Encourage environmentally sustainable use
ACTIVITIES Educational programmes Promotion of purpose Sustainable recreation Prohibited Mono (and bi) filament nets, long lines plus other fishing restrictions
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT: Proposed (see Constitution) Open to all to all members of the community, resident or non-resident within the Park Area, and to all organisations and businesses within or without the area: all may vote subject to registering intention Committee of 3 officers and 6 members
SPECIAL NOTES All of this is a local proposal: no outcome or progress report discovered
AUSTRALIA
NAME Great Barrier Reef Marine National Park or GBRMP 1975 World Heritage Site 1981 2-68 Flinders Street, P.O. Box 1379, Townsville, Qld.4810 Tel: +61 7 47500700 www.gbrmpa.gov.au
LOCATION 2,000 kilometres long off the East coast of Australia Extends to high water mark only on coast, but includes islands
SIZE 33,126,500 hectares including 618 islands and 3,400 coral reefs (largest in world)
SCENERY Coastal reefs, lagoons, outer reefs and oceans Mangrove and maritime tropical ecosystems on coast 400 species of coral, 1,500 of fish, 4,000 of mollusc, algae and sea grass, sea turtles, sea urchins, dugongs, humpback, minke and killer whales, and bottle-nose and spinner dolphins, 240 species of birds
PURPOSE To protect area while providing for reasonable use, involve local community including indigenous Aborigines (see Goals and Aims) Maintenance of conservation, biodiversity and world heritage values Research and education
ACTIVITIES Scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, under-water photography, sight- seeing, reef-walking, water sports, beach-combing and bird-watching Prohibited Fishing regulations: zoning and licensing to ensure sustainability Mineral exploration and mining. Pollution
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is adviser to Government of Australia, and Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Council, Commonwealth Government Agencies, Queensland Government Agencies Consultation and community involvement, Indigenous Partnership Liaison Unit. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (see Act and du Saussay The Legal Structures of Marine Parks) Separate management plans for vulnerable areas Plans for Environmental Emergencies in place 100 Marine Parks Officers in 14 centres costing $17 million/year (see Day-to-Day Management ) The Park is not continuous but any area can be given Park zone status
SPECIAL NOTES Australia's premier tourist destination (contributes $1 billion) This has, by far, the most detailed information available
CANADA
NAME Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park Legislation pending 182, rue de l,Eglise, P.O. Box 220, Tadoussac, Quebec e-mail: parkscanada-que@pc.gc.ca Tel: (418) 235-4703 www. pc.go.ca/amnc-nmca/qc/
LOCATION Confluence waters of St. Lawrence Estuary and Saguenay Fjord Includes Northern part of St. Lawrence – all to high water mark SIZE 1,138 sq.km.
SCENERY Entirely water: bottom typography Longest and most Southerly fjord in Eastern Canada Rare fjord because it flows into a river Oceanographic phenomena as cold river water crosses fjord leading to rip currents where plankton, fish, birds, and marine mammals form diverse ecosystem
PURPOSE To protect Marine environment To discover vestiges of historical and cultural wealth of early man (6,000 years BC) Education and interpretation and promotion of park Research
ACTIVITIES Interpretive activities, exhibitions, whale watching, scenic trail, belvedere with telescopes, gift shop, picnic tables, camp ground Admission fee $5
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT Managed jointly by government of Canada and Quebec Committee with one representative from each of 3 boundary counties, one from aboriginal community, one scientist, one conservationist and educator, one from Department of Heritage, and one from Environment Ministry. All decisions to be unanimous
SPECIAL NOTES First park in Quebec 'to protect and present an exclusively marine environment' Aboriginal community have expressed doubt
USA
NAME Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 1990 (parts of reefs protected by sanctuaries since 1960 following reports of deterioration of reefs from overuse and pollution eg 3 large ships ran aground in 1989) www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov
LOCATION 6 miles seaward of Florida and 220 miles southwest from southern tip of Florida to 90 miles North of Cuba, includes Florida Bay and Part Gulf of Mexico
SIZE 280 sq. miles, or 9,500 sq. kilometres starting at high water mark on mainland side
SCENERY 126 mile long island chain, including Tortugas islands Seagrass meadows, mangrove islands and birds, kelp forests, deep sea canyons, extensive coral reefs, fish and fish nurseries, hump back whales, wrecks and artefacts
PURPOSE To protect, manage and research and monitor Education and outreach programmes
ACTIVITIES Tourism, commercial fishing, residents, 4 million tourist Prohibited Certain activities within zoned areas
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT Established by workshops and public meetings leading to 4 teams Led to establishment of Sanctuary Advisory Council, public hearings on draft constitution leading to Sanctuary and Protection Act 1990
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Coastal Resource Management manages all 12 no Marine Sanctuaries Management and water quality plan in conjunction with public and government agencies
SPECIAL NOTES Adopt-a-reef scheme 82,000 permanent residents 4 million tourists a year 20 million pounds of sea food landed a year Good information on setting up sanctuary and regulations
NEW ZEALAND
NAME Mimiwhangata Marine Park 1983 Department of Conservation, Te Papa Alawbai, New Zealand www.doc.govt.nz/Conservation/marine-and-Coastal/Marine
LOCATION On Northland mainland east coast, North of Whangarei
SIZE 2000 hectares includes coastline, or foreshore
SCENERY Beautiful Peninsula, ivory coral. Coral reefs stretch 4 kilometres offshore with 70 species of fish Rarities include ivory coral, red lined bubble shell, callinassid shrimp, spotted black grouper, toado and sabre-toothed blenny.
PURPOSE To protect scenery, wild life and cultural heritage for recreational purposes. To increase number of fish and marine life back to previous levels In spite of current protection fish abundance has not increased for 30 years
ACTIVITIES Recreation and recreational fishing Prohibited All Commercial fishing Methods of recreational fishing limited Types of fish and shellfish limited to 20 types Marine dumping
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT Marine Reserves Act 1971: this is the one referred to by du Saussay, who may be talking about reserves only A new Marine Reserves Bill is in process Marine Parks are protected under the Fisheries Act 1983 BUT Marine Protected Area (proposed) will also cover Marine Parks
SPECIAL NOTES Marine Reserves have higher level of protection than Marine Parks and are administered by Department of Conservation There are 18 Marine Reserves in New Zealand, and more on the way, covering 7% of territorial waters, which prohibit all fishing, anchoring and human interference, but allow mining. They will be managed for research and explanation. Establishment of a Marine Reserve can be vetoed by Ministry of Marine First one was Cape Rodney-Okakari Point, North Auckland The largest are around Kermedec and Auckland Islands
OTHER MARINE PARKS Tawharanui Marine Park Hauraki Gulf Marine Park (under own special legislation) Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Park reclassified as Protected Area1991
ENGLAND
NAME Chichester Harbour Conservancy 1971: not a Marine National Park Harbour Office, Itchenor, Chichester PO20 7AW tel 01243-512301 E-mail: harbourmaster@conservancy.co.uk www.conservancy.co.uk/about
LOCATION Sussex: West of Chichester, from Eastern side of Hayling Island to Western side of Chichester Channel from East Head to Fishbourne
SCENERY Landlocked harbour with narrow entrance, open waters and natural wooded shorelines with low lying farmland and views of South Downs Sandbanks slightly covered by sea at all times, estuaries, mudflats and sandbanks exposed at low tide, coastal lagoons and wetlands
PURPOSE Maintain and improve the harbour for recreation and leisure, nature conservation and natural beauty . Used by 10,000 craft, 5,500 moorings, 14 sailing clubs (11,000 members)
ACTIVITIES Important commercially for farming, fishing, boatyards and tourism National centre for recreational boating Prohibited Speeds above 8 knots Anchoring near moorings and in middle of channels Kite windsurfing ban to be introduced
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT: for History see Nigel Pusinelli's 'Chichester Harbour Conservancy Act of Parliament' Principles: Sustainable stewardship, integration of land and water, positive rather than reactive management, a balance between the various interests Income: From harbour dues (paid by all craft), mooring charges, and from 2 County Councils Chichester Harbour Conservancy is an independent Statutory Harbour Authority with 15 members, and must consult with separate Conservancy's Advisory, also 15 members representing harbour interests and users (see attachment) Members from West Sussex, Hampshire County Council, Chichester District and Havant Borough Council, Conservancy's Advisory Committee New Management Plan being developed £1.27 million Heritage Lottery grant will help fund £40 new projects
SPECIAL NOTES Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 1964 Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): wide range of habitats, birds, Special Protection Area for wild birds / flora and fauna Candidate for Special Area of Conservation: see SCENERY Ramsar: Wetland of International Importance
FRANCE
NAME Parc Nacional de Port-Cros 1963 Castel Sainte Claire, 83418 Hyeres www.portcrosparcnational.fr
LOCATION Mediterranean Island off Hyeres including neighbouring islands of Porquelles, Giens and Salins d'Hyere, and Cap Lardier, and sea for 600 metres around each island (see map of Port-Cros)
SIZE 700 ha of land and 1288 ha of surface of sea for Port-Cros 1000 ha for Porquelles SCENERY Humid, with many birds, natural vegetation and historic architecture Salt marshes at Salins d'Hyere
PURPOSE To conserve and restore biodiversity, of natural flora and fauna both of marine life, and of the shore To do research on the above and present it to the public Scientific Research (list of papers available)
ACIVITIES Tourism, fishing, some areas reserved for diving Prohibited Fires, smoking, camping, motorised vehicles, alteration of natural surroundings, noise, hunting, picking flowers, dogs Some areas landing prohibited Some areas fishing and boating prohibited Some area diving prohibited Divers require a certificate obtainable from the office of Parc Capitaine or Hyeres office
PARK AUTHORITY AND MANAGEMENT Ministry de l'Ecologie et du Development Durable Administered by a Council of 31 members meeting 2 × a year, which represents local inhabitants, associations and organisations, and decides on regulations, and controls the director and his team Commission of 6 members examining the 'dossiers pour lesquele il lui donne delegation' Scientific Committee of 18 members in 3 groups: terrestial biology, marine biology and human sciences Director of the park nominated by government minister 40 rangers for the Parc 17 for Conservatoire Botanique Budget For year 2004 Euro 5,540,042 for entire Parc except for Conservatoire Botanique (see attached for further details)
SPECIAL NOTES The only Marine National Park in Europe List and map for other National Parks available
Report produced by Mrs. S. Scobie 2005