Marine Parks
From Envirowiki
Marine Parks serve a similar function to National Parks, but in the ocean, instead of on land. They provide a sanctuary for marine life, making it safe from some forms of danger, usually fishing, especially commercial fishing. Marine Parks are generally situated on the coast, which naturally has a relative stable ecosystem.
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[edit] 1 The Need for Marine Parks
Much ocean life is threatened by overfishing. Setting aside certain areas of a bioregion allows the animal population to recover. Usually these Sanctuary Zones are on breeding sites, to allow species to continue breeding, but allowing capture in nearby overflow areas.
Marine biodiversity experts generally recommend that between 20% and 50% of any bioregion should be sanctuary zones to protect all species adequately (NPA marine).
[edit] 2 N.S.W Marine Parks
Marine Parks in N.S.W consist of a mix of different zones, allowing for a variety of different activities. these include:
- Sanctuary Zones: complete protection of all species - no fishing, trapping or other activities.
- Habitat Protection Zones: recreational fishing allowed, no commercial fishing.
- General Use Zones: no restrictions
- Special Use Zones: allow some specific activities to occur, but otherwise complete restrictions on fishing. specific activities may include such things as prawning, collecting abalone, or lobster trapping.
[edit] 3 Impact on the fishing industry
The creation of Marine parks may slightly impact the catch of the fishing industry and recreational fishing initially, but, by allowing species to breed safely and spill over in to areas near sanctuary zones, Marine Parks can increase the catch of both recreational fishers, and commercial fishers (NPA Marine). Fish caught are more likely to be larger, as they are normally mature fish leaving breeding zones[reference needed].
[edit] 4 Marine Parks
[edit] 4.1 N.S.W
- Batemans Bay Marine Park
- Cape Byron Marine Park
- Solitary Islands Marine Park
- Lord Howe Marine Park
- Jervis Bay Marine Park
- Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park
[edit] 5 External Links/references
- http://www.marine.org.au - National Park Association of New South Wales Marine
