Encounter Marine Park Draft Management Plan Summary

www.marineparks.sa.gov.au South Australians have a proud history of conserving our wild and natural places. Our National Parks and reserves are icons that hold countless special memories and link us to our natural history. Now it’s time to turn our attention to our coastal waters.

Southern Australia’s waters are home to an South Australia’s marine parks have been a decade in amazing diversity of marine life, with about 85 the making. When zoning comes in to effect, they’ll per cent of marine species found nowhere else in help protect our most precious marine areas while still the world. However our waters are not immune to allowing South Australia to prosper. You and I will global challenges such as pollution, resource use, still be able to enjoy our favourite pastimes, including development, pest organisms and climate change. recreational fishing which has been crucial to the design Marine parks with sanctuary zones will help us protect of these parks. our marine environment from the increasing pressure it The journey that’s brought us to the draft management is under. Currently only about 1 per cent of our coastal plan (summarised in this guide for you) has been the waters are under high-level protection. By setting aside most comprehensive public engagement program in additional areas as sanctuary zones we are making an South Australia’s history. In that time we have worked important investment for the future. with 14 local advisory groups, the conservation sector The Encounter Marine Park conserves some of South and various fishing groups, as well as listened to more Australia’s most iconic marine environments, from the than 30,000 South Australians. base of the Fleurieu Peninsula to the north-eastern coast Now it is your chance to review these draft plans and of Kangaroo Island and the Coorong. make a submission if you wish. This summary brochure Its diversity of marine life can be attributed to the contains the essential details for how we propose to combination of deep ocean trenches, shallow sheltered zone and manage the Encounter Marine Park and how bays, rocky reefs, sandy beaches and high-energy to make a submission. coastlines. It hosts a range of sea life including sponge Copies of draft management plans and other gardens, dense seagrass meadows and complex reef supporting information for each of the 19 marine parks communities. are available at www.marineparks.sa.gov.au, at public The park includes one of SA’s best dive sites in the information sessions across the state or by telephoning existing Aldinga Reef Aquatic Reserve. freecall 1800 006 120. Some of the special places, plants and animals to We have been determined to get the balance right get high level protection under this plan include an between community needs and conservation. Australian sea lion breeding colony at the Pages Islands; Experiences elsewhere have shown that community fish nurseries in Pelican Lagoon and the Bay of Shoals; ownership of marine parks is central to their long-term site-attached reef fish including western blue groper success. and harlequin fish; unique, giant sponge gardens and With that in mind, I encourage you to carefully consider colourful bryozoans in the deep waters of Backstairs the Government’s proposal and to have your say. Passage; leafy and weedy sea dragons; a major whale aggregation and calving area; and migratory and resident shorebird feeding and resting grounds.

Hon Paul Caica MP Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation

What the zones do and why

Where can The Key Activities and Uses Guide summarises the major recreational fishers activities permitted in each marine park zone. wet a line? General Managed Use Zones (GMUZ) A high level of protection is also provided Zone 3or 5 allow ecologically sustainable development for the breeding, nursery and/or foraging and use. areas for many species of conservation GMUZ 3 Seven GMUZ are proposed, covering 28% concern including southern right whales, HPZ 3 of the Encounter Marine Park. These zones Australian sea lions, leafy and weedy sea link different regions of the marine park dragons, seabird and shorebird species and SZ 5 and provide for the existing commercial a wide range of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and other species. RAZ 5 prawn trawling activities, petroleum exploration licences in Gulf St. Vincent Restricted Access Zones (RAZ) limit and shipping and aquaculture activities in access to an area allowing a very high level Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island. of conservation and providing scientific Habitat Protection Zones (HPZ) allow reference sites. activities and uses that do not harm Four small RAZ are proposed, covering less habitats or the functioning of ecosystems. than 1% of this park. Three RAZ overlay Six HPZ are proposed, covering 63% of this the current access restrictions to the Pages park. HPZ buffer the proposed sanctuary Islands and Busby Islet under the National zones and help to protect important Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. One RAZ seagrass, deep sea sponge gardens, overlays current access restrictions at the algae habitats and rocky reefs, as well as West Island Aquatic Reserve, under the estuaries, areas of unmapped habitats, Fisheries Management Act 2007. foraging sites for seals and sea lions and Special Purpose Areas (SPA) allow whale aggregation areas. Their design helps specified activities that would otherwise be ensure that most areas of commercial and prohibited in a particular zone. recreational fishing importance remain There are 12 proposed SPA in the available for fishing. Encounter Marine Park. Six SPA provide for Sanctuary Zones (SZ) prohibit the the ongoing management of harbors, while removal or harm of plants, animals or one provides for the ongoing management marine products to provide a high level of of the underwater cable in Backstairs conservation. Passage. Four proposed SPA provide The 11 proposed SZ are the core for shore-based recreational line fishing conservation areas, covering 9% of this adjacent to proposed sanctuary zones at park. The proposed SZ provide a high level Bashams Beach, Fisherman Bay, Crockery of protection for species, ecological features Bay, and Port Noarlunga beach. One SPA and habitats of conservation importance provides for ongoing dredging activities at including seagrass meadows, deep sea the Murray Mouth. sponge gardens, algae habitats, reefs, estuaries and areas of unmapped habitats.

Proposed activities and uses permissible in each marine park zone are set out in the zoning tables, available in the South Australia’s Marine Parks Network Explanatory Document or at www.marineparks.sa.gov.au Marino Conservation Park Marine Park 15 - EncounteHarllett Cove 11 Conservation Park 137°30'E 137°40'E 137°50'E 138°E 138°10'E 138°20'E 138°30'E 138°40'E 138°50'E 139°E 139°10'E

Inset 1 Christies Beach

Beach Road Middleton S S ' ' 0 0 1 1 Be B ° GMUZ-1 °

a 5 1 a s 2 5 Witton Bluff c h 3 3 1 h a - 1&2 m R A

d SP Coorong Beach North SZ (31km2) Part of an internationally listed Ramsar wetland site, this zone is a HPZ-2 cross section of typical Coorong habitats including beach, HPZ-1 Basham Beach dunes and shallow lagoons.

9 - Important site for migratory birds. A Fisherman Bay SPA-6 P 3 Aldinga SPA-11 SZ-2 S HPZ-3 HPZ-4 SZ-3 SZ-1 SPA-10 Port Elliot Crockery Bay 10 Commodore Point S S ' ' Aldinga Bay 0 0 SZ-6 SZ-7 2 2 ° ° 5 5 Pullen 3 3 Onkaparinga Head 4 Island Myponga Beach 0 2 0 2 Inset 3 0 2 2 SZ-4 Inset 2 Kms Kms Inset 1 Kms Carrickalinga 5 Normanville 2 Yankalilla Bay Encounter SZ (29km ) Iconic southern right whale gathering site and calving area. HMAS Hobart Shipwreck Goolwa S S GMUZ-3 ' ' 0 0 Inset 2 3 3 ° ° 6 GMUZ-2 SZ-5 SPA-1 la 5 5 u 3 3 Rapid s Second Valley in Head en GMUZ-4 P 9 u Victor Harbor Inset 3 ie ur SPA-6 Murray SPA-8 le Mouth F SZ-6 Encounter Bay Cape Jervis RAZ-4 HPZ-6 SZ-8 Busby HPZ-5 8 SPA-2 West Islet SZ-7 RAZ-1 Pa Island rso W T ait un ns pi Kingscote ka B ng 2 S B a S ' a lill ea B ' The Pages SZ and RAZ (42km ) 0 0 ck a ch e 4 4 st B a ° ° a ea ch One of the most important Australian sea lion 5 5 irs ch 3 3 Pa breeding colonies in the State. ssa GMUZ-6 SPA-3 SPA-7 ge Important site for sea birds. SPA-5 10 GMUZ-7 Penneshaw Cuttlefish Bay GMUZ-5 SZ-10 SZ-11 C oo ro Cape Coutts RAZ-2 11 ng 8 American River SPA-4 RAZ-3 Antechamber Bay Kangaroo Island Dudley Peninsula 9 S S SZ-9 ' ' 0 0 5 5 ° ° 5 5 3 3 Cape Willoughby

7 Sponge Gardens SZ (60km2) D'estrees Bay One of only two known deep sea trenches in SA waters For further map detail refer to the relevant boundary definition map in the draft management plan. and home to huge sponges often more than a metre in diameter.

137°30'E 137°40'E 137°50'E 138°E 138°10'E 138°20'E 138°30'E 138°40'E 138°50'E 139°E 139°10'E

Produced by Marine Parks Project Cape GantheaumMearine Park Draft Zoning Special Purpose Area Topographic Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (Harbor Activities) GPO BOX 1047 Adelaide SA 5001 Conservation Park www.marineparks.sa.gov.au & Wilderness Area Restricted Access Zone (Existing) Built Up Area 7 Special Purpose Area Data Source Marine Parks, NPWSA, Topographic Data, Marine Park Boundary Coastline (median high water) - DEWNR Sanctuary Zone (Murray Mouth Dredging) Coastal Waters of the State - Geoscience Australia 0 20 Compiled 5 July 2012 Habitat Protection Zone Special Purpose Area Existing Reserves under other Acts Projection Lambert Conformal Conic (Submarine Cables and Pipelines) Datum Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994 Adelaide General Managed Use Zone Coastal Waters of the State Kms © Copyright Department fof Environment, Water and Natural Resources 2012. Special Purpose Area All Rights Reserved. All works and information displayed are subject to Copyright. For Coastline (median high water) the reproduction or publication beyond that permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth) (Shore-based recreational line fishing) THIS MAP IS INDICATIVE ONLY AND IS NOT written permission must be sought from the Department. INTENDED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed, Jetty the Department, its agents, officers and employees make no representations, either express or implied, that the information displayed is accurate or fit for any purpose and expressly 2 disclaims all liability for loss or damage arising from reliance upon the information displayed. Pelican Lagoon SZ (16km ) Major Road CONSULTATION NOTE: Regionally unique coastal lagoon. The zoning is provisional and is subject to change following public consultation. Unique shallow sponge beds in tidal channels. Each zone has a specific identifier. Please include this identifier (e.g. SZ-1) and the marine park name when preparing written submissions. Key nursery area for a wide variety of fish. DEH MapID: 2012-6039 Important area for local and migratory shorebirds.

DE H S ta n da rd 1 2 3 4 5 6

Noarlunga Reef SZ (7km2) Home to a large variety of fish 2 2 2 2 2 Existing aquatic recreation area with ongoing education Onkaparinga Wetland SZ (0.23km ) Aldinga Reef SZ (22km ) Carrickalinga Cliffs SZ (8km ) Rapid Head SZ (55km ) Bay of Shoals SZ (26km ) and research potential. Regionally important samphire wetland and estuarine habitat Iconic reef that's been a reserve since 1971 Shallow reefs fringing the cliffs support some of the Home to the iconic leafy sea dragon. Highly important nursery area for a wide range of marine animals. Existing underwater marine dive trail. that's home to a range of bird life. Excellent research opportunities. highest diversity of fish species recorded in Southern Australia. Important headlands, boulder beach and seagrass habitats. Tidal flats provide an important feeding area Part of the important Onkaparinga estuary. Acts as a filter system for the environment and shelters juvenile fish. One of the best dive sites in SA. for local and migratory shorebirds.

Marino Conservation Park Marine Park 15 - EncounteHarllett Cove 11 Conservation Park 137°30'E 137°40'E 137°50'E 138°E 138°10'E 138°20'E 138°30'E 138°40'E 138°50'E 139°E 139°10'E

Inset 1 Christies Beach

Beach Road Middleton S S ' ' 0 0 1 1 Be B ° GMUZ-1 °

a 5 1 a s 2 5 Witton Bluff c h 3 3 1 h a - 1&2 m R A

137°30'E 137°40'E 137°50'E 138°E 138°10'E 138°20'E 138°30'E 138°40'E 138°50'E 139°E 139°10'E

DE H S ta n da rd 1 2 3 4 5 6

Marino Conservation Park Marine Park 15 - EncounteHarllett Cove 11 Conservation Park 137°30'E 137°40'E 137°50'E 138°E 138°10'E 138°20'E 138°30'E 138°40'E 138°50'E 139°E 139°10'E

Inset 1 Christies Beach

Beach Road What you can do in Middleton S S ' ' 0 0 1 1 Be B ° ° GMUZ-1 a 5 5 1 a s 2 Witton Bluff c h 3 3 1 h a - 1&2 m R A

d SP 2 marine parks Coorong Beach North SZ (31km ) Part of an internationally listed Ramsar wetland site, this zone is a HPZ-2 cross section of typical Coorong habitats including beach, HPZ-1 Basham Beach dunes and shallow lagoons.

9 - Important site for migratory birds. A Fisherman Bay SPA-6 P 3 Aldinga SPA-11 SZ-2 S HPZ-3 HPZ-4 SZ-3 Aquaculture GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ SZ-1 SPA-10 Notes Port Elliot All activities including pilot leases 3 3 5 5 Crockery Bay 10 Commodore Point permit = a permit is S S

' 3 ' Aldinga Bay 0 0 SZ-6 SZ-7 Coastal Developments and Infrastructure GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ 2 2 ° ° required for this activity 5 5 Pullen 3 3 Onkaparinga Head 4 Island Marinas, jetties, pontoons, breakwalls, outfall and pipelines, 5 5 limit = conditions apply Myponga Beach 0 2 0 2 renewable energy infrastructure 3 3 3 Inset 3 when undertaking this 0 2 2 SZ-4 Inset 2 Kms Kms activity Inset 1 Kms Fishing and Collecting GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ Carrickalinga • All other laws of this state 5 Recreational/commercial fishing (other than trawling) 5 5 Normanville 3 3 continue to apply. Encounter SZ (29km2) Yankalilla Bay Competitions and organised events 5 5 Iconic southern right whale gathering site and calving area. 3 3 • Essential access, such as in HMAS Hobart the case of an emergency, Shipwreck Goolwa Aboriginal traditional fishing and collecting 3 3 3limit 3limit S S GMUZ-3 ' ' 0 0 Inset 2 3

3 is permitted in all zones. ° ° 6 GMUZ-2 SZ-5 SPA-1 la Collecting seagrass/algae and sessile animals 5 5 u 5 5 5

3 3 3 Rapid s Second Valley in Head en Trawling on or near the seabed 5 5 5 GMUZ-4 P 9 3 u Victor Harbor Inset 3 For further information ie ur SPA-6 Murray SPA-8 see also the full zoning tables le Mouth Harbors, Navigation and Transport GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ F SZ-6 Encounter Bay describing activities and uses Navigation markers and aids in marine park zones, available Cape Jervis 3 3 3 3 RAZ-4 HPZ-6 at www.marineparks.sa.gov.au Busby HPZ-5 SPA-2 General navigation and operation of vessels and anchoring SZ-8 8 West or in South Australia’s Marine Islet SZ-7 3 3 3 5 RAZ-1 Pa Island of vessels less than 80m in length rso W Parks Network Explanatory T ait un ns pi Kingscote ka B ng 2 S B a S Document. ' a lill ea B ' The Pages SZ and RAZ (42km ) Anchoring of vessels – 80 metres and over in length 5 5 5 0 ck a ch e 0 3 4 st B a 4 ° a ea ch ° One of the most important Australian sea lion 5 irs ch 5 3 P 3 breeding colonies in the State. Permanent vessel mooring 5 assa 3 3 3permit SPA-3 SPA-7 g GMUZ-6 Important site for sea birds. e Dredging and depositing dredged materials 5 5 SPA-5 3 3limit 10 GMUZ-7 Penneshaw Cuttlefish Bay Operating aircraft 3 3 3 3limit GMUZ-5 SZ-10 SZ-11 C oo ro Cape Coutts RAZ-2 ng 11 8 Recreation, Research and Other Commercial GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ American River SPA-4 RAZ-3 Antechamber Bay 9 Recreational activities – diving, boating, walking, surfing etc 3 3 3 5 Kangaroo Island Dudley Peninsula Motorised water sports and aerobatics 3 3 5 5 S S SZ-9 ' ' 0 0 5 5 ° °

5 Domestic animals 5 limit 5

3 3 3 3 3 Cape Willoughby Animal feeding/baiting/berleying 3 3 5 5 Research 7 Sponge Gardens SZ (60km2) 3 3 3permit 3permit D'estrees Bay One of only two known deep sea trenches in SA waters Commercial photography and film making 5 For further map detail refer to the relevant boundary definition map in the draft management plan. and home to huge sponges often more than a metre in diameter. 3 3 3permit Competitions and organised events (non fishing) 5 137°30'E 137°40'E 137°50'E 138°E 138°10'E 138°20'E 138°30'E 138°40'E 138°50'E 139°E 139°10'E 3 3 3permit Produced by Marine Parks Project Tourism operations 3 3 3permit 5 Cape GantheaumMearine Park Draft Zoning Special Purpose Area Topographic Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (Harbor Activities) GPO BOX 1047 Adelaide SA 5001 Conservation Park www.marineparks.sa.gov.au & Wilderness Area Restricted Access Zone (Existing) Built Up Area 7 Special Purpose Area Data Source Marine Parks, NPWSA, Topographic Data, Resource Extraction and Production GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ Marine Park Boundary Coastline (median high water) - DEWNR Sanctuary Zone (Murray Mouth Dredging) Coastal Waters of the State - Geoscience Australia 0 20 Compiled 5 July 2012 Active surveying (physical or chemical) 5 5 Habitat Protection Zone Special Purpose Area Existing Reserves under other Acts Projection Lambert Conformal Conic 3 3 (Submarine Cables and Pipelines) Datum Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994 Adelaide General Managed Use Zone Coastal Waters of the State Kms Direct drilling (mining or petroleum) 3 5 5 5 © Copyright Department fof Environment, Water and Natural Resources 2012. Special Purpose Area All Rights Reserved. All works and information displayed are subject to Copyright. For Coastline (median high water) the reproduction or publication beyond that permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth) (Shore-based recreational line fishing) THIS MAP IS INDICATIVE ONLY AND IS NOT written permission must be sought from the Department. Mineral or petroleum processing 5 5 5 5 INTENDED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed, Jetty the Department, its agents, officers and employees make no representations, either express or implied, that the information displayed is accurate or fit for any purpose and expressly 2 disclaims all liability for loss or damage arising from reliance upon the information displayed. Pelican Lagoon SZ (16km ) Major Road CONSULTATION NOTE: Regionally unique coastal lagoon. Wastewater Disposal/Discharges GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ The zoning is provisional and is subject to change following public consultation. Unique shallow sponge beds in tidal channels. Discharge, extraction and disposal for a desalination plant 5 5 Each zone has a specific identifier. Please include this identifier (e.g. SZ-1) and the marine park name when preparing written submissions. Key nursery area for a wide variety of fish. 3 3 DEH MapID: 2012-6039 Important area for local and migratory shorebirds. Discharges from vessels 3 3 5 5

DE H S ta n da rd 1 2 3 4 5 6

The planning behind the park

The Encounter Marine Park Draft Management Plan has been developed around five management priorities and supporting strategies.

Protection Performance assessment and review 1. Manage activities and uses in the marine park in 10. Develop a monitoring, evaluation and reporting accordance with zoning and special purpose area (MER) program that measures the effectiveness provisions. of this marine park and its contribution to South 2. Actively influence activities and uses within Australia’s marine parks network (2011 baseline). and adjacent to the marine park to help mitigate 11. Foster partnerships to implement the MER threats to marine biodiversity and marine Program incorporating opportunities for habitats. community and stakeholder involvement. 3. Consider additional protections and/or 12. Ensure outcomes of the MER Program are made temporary restrictions where necessary in publicly available and inform decision making circumstances of urgency — and periodic review of this management plan. (a) to protect a listed species1 of plant or animal; Knowledge or 13. Identify priority research needs. (b) to protect a feature of natural or cultural heritage significance; or 14. Encourage research partnerships. (c) to protect public safety. 15. Ensure research outcomes are communicated to a wide audience and inform decision making. 4. Introduce a permitting system to provide for the following activities (where not otherwise 16. Encourage Aboriginal people, local communities authorised): and stakeholders to preserve traditional and historic knowledge and, where appropriate, • scientific research in a sanctuary or restricted share this knowledge with others. access zone; • tourism operations in a sanctuary zone; Compliance • competitions and organised events in a sanctuary 17. Develop and implement a compliance strategy zone; for the marine park that: • commercial film-making (including sound • is cost-efficient; recording and photography) in a sanctuary zone; • is focussed on sanctuary zones and other and conservation priorities; • installation of vessel moorings in a sanctuary • complements existing compliance efforts; zone. • maximises voluntary compliance; and Stewardship through community involvement • includes measures to address serious or repeat 5. Provide for public appreciation, understanding non-compliance. and enjoyment of the marine park. 6. Create and promote opportunities for sustainable nature-based tourism in the marine park. 7. Provide education to support the implementation of the marine park. 8. Seek to involve local communities and stakeholders in the day-to-day management and monitoring of the marine park. 9. Work cooperatively with Aboriginal communities to conserve country, plants, animals and culture. 1. “listed species” means a species of conservation concern listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth), the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 or the Fisheries Management Act 2007. How to make a submission

You may write a letter or email to the address provided You can obtain these documents at community below. Postage is free. information sessions run by the Department of • Please provide your name and contact details. Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), from DEWNR Regional Offices, from the website • Please make your comments concise and clear. www.marineparks.sa.gov.au or by telephoning freecall • For comments about the zoning, please refer to the 1800 006 120. zone identifier number. For other comments, e.g. in relation to management strategies, please refer to the Address for submissions page, section, paragraph and strategy upon which SA Marine Parks Submissions you are commenting. Department of Environment, Water and • It is also important to say with which sections of the Natural Resources plan you agree. REPLY PAID 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001 How to access Email: [email protected] supporting information A comprehensive range of supporting information is Closing date for submissions available to help assist you in making a submission on To ensure your views are considered, this plan should you choose to, including: your submission must be received no later than • the complete draft management plan this summary the close of business on 22/10/2012. brochure is based on (which includes submission Please note that all comments submitted, unless guidelines); otherwise requested, are considered to be public • an impact statement covering environmental, documents and will be available for public viewing. economic and social factors; • an inventory of environmental assets that exist within marine parks; and • an explanatory document for the marine parks network.

For further information please contact: Disclaimer Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the contents of Phone Information Line 1800 006 120 or see SA White Pages for your local this publication are factually correct, the Department of Environment, DEWNR office. Online information available at: www.marineparks.sa.gov.au Water and Natural Resources makes no representations and accepts no © State of South Australia through the Department of Environment, responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular Water and Natural Resources. Apart from fair dealings and other uses purpose of the contents, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this publication that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of or may be reproduced, published, communicated, transmitted, modified or reliance on the contents of this publication. commercialised without the prior written approval of the Department of Reference to any company, product or service in this publication should Environment, Water and Natural Resources. not be taken as a Departmental endorsement of the company, product Photography: DEWNR, Clay Bryce, Simon Bryars, Coast Protection Board, or service. Carl Charter, Ali Eaton, Paul Wainright, Marine Life Society of SA Printed August 2012 | FIS 91671 Written requests for permission should be addressed to: Design and Production Manager, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources GPO Box 1047 Adelaide SA 5001