Neptune Islands Group Marine Park Draft Management Plan Summary

Government of South Australia

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 The journey that’s brought us to the draft management amazing diversity of marine life, with about 85 plan (summarised in this guide for you) has been the per cent of marine species found nowhere else in most comprehensive public engagement program in the world. However our waters are not immune to South Australia’s history. In that time we have worked global challenges such as pollution, resource use, with 14 local advisory groups, the conservation sector development, pest organisms and climate change. and various fishing groups, as well as listened to more Marine parks with sanctuary zones will help us protect than 30,000 South Australians. our marine environment from the increasing pressure it Now it is your chance to review these draft plans and is under. Currently only about 1 per cent of our coastal make a submission if you wish. This summary brochure waters are under high-level protection. By setting aside contains the essential details for how we propose to additional areas as sanctuary zones we are making an zone and manage the Neptune Islands Group Marine important investment for the future. Park and how to make a submission. The Neptune Islands Group Marine Park is centred on a Copies of draft management plans and other remote, offshore island group rising steeply from deep supporting information for each of the 19 marine parks water and exposed to strong wind and waves. are available at www.marineparks.sa.gov.au, at public The park is recognised globally as a hotspot for great information sessions across the state or by telephoning white sharks, which is why caged diving is a significant freecall 1800 006 120. tourism industry in the area. We have been determined to get the balance right Some of the special places, plants and animals to between community needs and conservation. get high level protection under this plan include an Experiences elsewhere have shown that community internationally-significant site for white shark; bronze ownership of marine parks is central to their long-term and dusky whaler, blue shark, school shark, smooth success. hammerhead and short-fin mako feeding habitats; the With that in mind, I encourage you to carefully consider two largest breeding colonies of New Zealand fur seals the Government’s proposal and to have your say. in South Australia; numerous seabird species and site- attached reef fish such as harlequin fish, western blue devil and several species of wrasse. South Australia’s marine parks have been a decade in the making. When zoning comes in to effect, they’ll Hon Paul Caica MP help protect our most precious marine areas while still Minister for Sustainability, allowing South Australia to prosper. You and I will Environment and Conservation still be able to enjoy our favourite pastimes, including recreational fishing which has been crucial to the design of these parks. Marine Park 7 - Neptune Islands Group

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What the zones do and why S S ' ' 2 2 1 1 ° ° 5 5 3 Where can The Key Activities and Uses Guide summarises the major 3 recreational fishers activities permitted in each marine park zone. North Neptune Island SZ and RAZ (74km2) wet a line? World renowned hot spot for great white sharks. Existing ecotourism site. Habitat Protection Zones (HPZ) allow as being an important breeding site for New Zealand fur seal breeding, resting and feeding area. activities and uses that do not harm New Zealand fur seals and a small haul North Neptune Zone 3or 5 Islands habitats or the functioning of ecosystems. out and breeding site for Australian sea GMUZ 3 lions, North Neptune Island is regarded as S S '

' RAZ-1 SZ-1

One HPZ is proposed at the South Neptune 4 4 1 1 ° ° 5 5 3 HPZ 3 Islands and covers 49% of the marine the most important aggregation area for 3 park. The HPZ helps to protect a range of white sharks in southern Australia and is SZ 5 offshore island habitats including shallow the site of a growing white shark viewing ecotourism industry. Key ecological RAZ 5 and deep reefs, sandy seafloor and deep water unmapped habitats as well as the features and habitats supporting these breeding and/or foraging sites for species species are protected and include sheltered such as Australian sea lions, New Zealand and exposed reefs in both shallow and S S ' ' 6 deep waters, sheltered embayments with 6 1 1 ° fur seals, white sharks and a range of ° 5 5 3 other species of conservation concern. uncommon offshore seagrass meadows 3 Most forms of commercial and recreational and deep water unmapped habitats fishing is provided for in the HPZ. surrounding the islands. Sanctuary Zones (SZ) prohibit the Restricted Access Zones (RAZ) limit removal or harm of plants, animals or access to an area allowing a very high level marine products to provide a high level of of conservation and providing scientific S

reference sites. S ' ' 8 conservation. 8 1 1 ° ° 5 5 3 3 The one proposed SZ is the core Two RAZ are proposed, covering 2% of conservation area, covering 49% of this this park. Both proposed RAZ overlay park. The proposed SZ encompasses North the current access restrictions under the Neptune Island, known as one of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 for the Neptune Islands Group Conservation Park most significant areas in South Australia’s South Neptune marine environment for the range of and have no marine extent. Islands RAZ-2 HPZ-1 S S ' threatened species found there. As well ' 0 0 2 2 ° ° 5 5 3 3

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 S S ' ' 2 2 2 2 ° ° 5 5 3 3

For further map detail refer to the relevant boundary definition map in the draft management plan.

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Produced by Marine Parks Project Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources GPO BOX 1047 Adelaide SA 5001 www.marineparks.sa.gov.au Data Source Marine Parks, NPWSA, Marine Park Draft Zoning Topographic Topographic Data Coastline (median high water) - DEWNR Restricted Access Zone (Existing) Existing Reserves under other Acts Compiled 5 July 2012 0 2 Projection Lambert Conformal Conic Sanctuary Zone Marine Park Boundary Datum Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994 © Copyright Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources 2012. Kms All Rights Reserved. All works and information displayed are subject to Copyright. For Adelaide Habitat Protection Zone Coastline (median high water) the reproduction Or publication beyond that permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth) written permission must be sought from the Department. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed, THIS MAP IS INDICATIVE ONLY AND IS NOT the Department, its agents, officers and employees make no representations, either express INTENDED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES or implied, that the information displayed is accurate or fit for any purpose and expressly disclaims all liability for loss or damage arising from reliance upon the information displayed.

CONSULTATION NOTE: The zoning is provisional and is subject to change following public consultation. Each zone has a specific identifier. Please include this identifier (e.g. SZ-1) and the marine park name when preparing written submissions. DEH MapID: 2012-6061

DEH St andar d Marine Park 7 - Neptune Islands Group

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North Neptune Island SZ and RAZ (74km2) World renowned hot spot for great white sharks. Existing ecotourism site. New Zealand fur seal breeding, resting and feeding area. North Neptune Islands S S '

' RAZ-1 SZ-1 4 4 1 1 ° ° 5 5 3 3 S S ' ' 6 6 1 1 ° ° 5 5 3 3 S S ' ' 8 8 1 1 ° ° 5 5 3 3

South Neptune Islands

RAZ-2 HPZ-1 S S ' ' 0 0 2 2 ° ° 5 5 3 3 S S ' ' 2 2 2 2 ° ° 5 5 3 3

For further map detail refer to the relevant boundary definition map in the draft management plan.

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DEH St andar d What you can do in marine parks

Aquaculture GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ All activities including pilot leases 3 3 5 5 Notes 3 permit = a permit is Coastal Developments and Infrastructure GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ required for this activity Marinas, jetties, pontoons, breakwalls, outfall and pipelines, 5 5 limit = conditions apply renewable energy infrastructure 3 3 3 when undertaking this activity Fishing and Collecting GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ • All other laws of this state Recreational/commercial fishing (other than trawling) 5 5 3 3 continue to apply. Competitions and organised events 3 3 5 5 • Essential access, such as in Aboriginal traditional fishing and collecting 3 3 3limit 3limit the case of an emergency, is permitted in all zones. Collecting seagrass/algae and sessile animals 3 5 5 5 Trawling on or near the seabed 5 5 5 3 For further information see also the full zoning tables Harbors, Navigation and Transport GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ describing activities and uses Navigation markers and aids 3 3 3 3 in marine park zones, available at www.marineparks.sa.gov.au General navigation and operation of vessels and anchoring 3 3 3 5 or in South Australia’s Marine of vessels less than 80m in length Parks Network Explanatory Anchoring of vessels – 80 metres and over in length 3 5 5 5 Document. Permanent vessel mooring 3 3 3permit 5 Dredging and depositing dredged materials 3 3limit 5 5 Operating aircraft 3 3 3 3limit

Recreation, Research and Other Commercial GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ Recreational activities – diving, boating, walking, surfing etc 3 3 3 5 Motorised water sports and aerobatics 3 3 5 5 Domestic animals 3 3 3limit 5 Animal feeding/baiting/berleying 3 3 5 5 Research 3 3 3permit 3permit Commercial photography and film making 3 3 3permit 5 Competitions and organised events (non fishing) 3 3 3permit 5 Tourism operations 3 3 3permit 5

Resource Extraction and Production GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ Active surveying (physical or chemical) 3 3 5 5 Direct drilling (mining or petroleum) 3 5 5 5 Mineral or petroleum processing 5 5 5 5

Wastewater Disposal/Discharges GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ Discharge, extraction and disposal for a desalination plant 3 3 5 5 Discharges from vessels 3 3 5 5 The planning behind the park

The Neptune Islands Group Marine Draft Park 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 Key Activities and Uses Guide 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. 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