Upper Gulf St Vincent 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 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 Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine Park is a major and various fishing groups, as well as listened to more fish nursery and spawning ground. Located at than 30,000 South Australians. the head of the gulf and with extensive seagrass Now it is your chance to review these draft plans and meadows, mangrove forests, mudflats, tidal creeks and make a submission if you wish. This summary brochure saltmarshes, it provides the essential refuge to ensure contains the essential details for how we propose to thousands of juvenile fish and other animals survive zone and manage the Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine their first season. Park and how to make a submission. Some of the special places, plants and animals to Copies of draft management plans and other get high level protection under this plan include the supporting information for each of the 19 marine parks breeding and nursery grounds for many well known are available at www.marineparks.sa.gov.au, at public fish and crustacean species; important feeding and information sessions across the state or by telephoning resting sites for local and migratory shorebirds; freecall 1800 006 120. protected pipe fish live in the sea grass habitats of this We have been determined to get the balance right park; the uncommon magpie fiddler ray, which may be between community needs and conservation. unique to the Upper Gulf St Vincent as it has not been Experiences elsewhere have shown that community recorded elsewhere; and razor fish beds in the inter- ownership of marine parks is central to their long-term tidal mudflats and near-shore seagrass meadows. success. With that in mind, I encourage you to carefully consider the Government’s proposal and to have your say.

Hon Paul Caica MP Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Marine Park 14 - Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine Park

137°55'E 138°0'E 138°5'E 138°10'E 138°15'E 138°20'E 138°25'E

What the zones do and why Port Arthur Balaklava S S ' ' 0 0 1 1 ° ° 4 4 3 3 SZ-1 Where can The Key Activities and Uses Guide summarises the major Clinton Wetlands SZ (62km2) Port Wakefield Wetland of national importance. Mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass beds provide homes recreational fishers activities permitted in each marine park zone. for juvenile fish including garfish, whiting, blue swimmer crab and protected pipe fish. wet a line? General Managed Use Zones (GMUZ) Sanctuary Zones (SZ) prohibit the SPA-1 Clinton Port Clinton Zone 3or 5 allow ecologically sustainable development removal or harm of plants, animals or

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and use. marine products to provide a high level of • •

• S S ' GMUZ ' • 5 3 5 • 1

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conservation. • ° ° 4 One GMUZ is proposed, covering 3% of 4

• 3 3 Port Price •

HPZ the Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine Park. The four proposed SZ are the core •

3 • •

• This zone provides for shipping activities conservation areas, covering 14% of this • 5

SZ • • around Ardrossan. park. Proposed SZ provide a high level of Price

• 5 protection for species, ecological features •

RAZ • Habitat Protection Zones (HPZ) allow •

and habitats of conservation importance Home to internationally important shore birds•

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activities and uses that do not harm • Seagrass of Upper Gulf St Vincent SZ - Fish nursery for commercial and recreationally sought sh species2 including whiting. such as the extensive mangroves, • (110km including 87km2 of defence zone) • habitats or the functioning of ecosystems. Seagrass habitat provides shelter and refuge

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• for many fish species including stingaree. S S ' ' 0

saltmarshes, tidal flats and seagrasses of 0 • 2 2 SPA-3 ° ° 4 4

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• 3 One HPZ is proposed, covering 74% of the Clinton Conservation Park and the 3

• this park. The proposed HPZ buffers the near pristine mangrove stands of the Light •

• proposed sanctuary zones and helps to Defence • River Delta. These coastal wetlands are of Prohibited Wild Horse Plains

• Area • protect important seagrass, mangrove and HPZ-1 SZ-2 RAZ-1

• national importance and are noted feeding • saltmarsh habitats, which provide critically

and resting habitats sites for migratory • • •

important nursery grounds for a wide • shorebirds protected under international Tiddy Widdy

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range of species found throughout the treatise as well as critical nursery areas for Beach •

• • S S ' ' 5

gulf. The rare stingaree has been recorded 5 • 2

2 Ardrossan • ° marine species. Offshore SZ protect deeper ° 4 4

3 3 •

in this area and the seagrass meadows SPA-2 • •

water seagrasses and the species inhabiting • Parham

• provide habitat for protected pipe fish • those areas. GMUZ-1 • communities. The HPZ also helps to protect Webb Beach Restricted Access Zones (RAZ) limit Dublin the coastal wetlands listed as being of Parara Point national significance. The majority of areas access to an area allowing a very high level of commercial and recreational fishing of conservation and providing scientific importance are provided for with the reference sites. Thompson Beach

Rogues Point S S ' ' SZ-3 0 0 3 3 ° ° 4 design of the HPZ. One RAZ is proposed, covering 9% of 4 3 3 this park. This zone overlays the existing Zanoni Port Prime Shipwreck Defence Prohibited Area, which already

prohibits public access. Light Beach Road Special Purpose Areas (SPA) allow specified activities that would otherwise be prohibited in a particular zone. S S ' ' 5 5 Light River 3 3

SZ-4 ° ° 4 4 Delta 3 Three SPA are proposed in this park, 3 providing for the ongoing management of Middle Beach the Port Wakefield and Ardrossan harbors Light River Delta SZ (16km2) 2 and the Defence Prohibited Area. Offshore Ardrossan SZ (37km ) Wetland of national importance. Important snapper spawning ground. Mangrove estuary a significant nursery habitat for fish. Includes existing protected ship wreck. One of the best preserved mangrove systems in SA. Port Gawler Beach

For further map detail refer to the relevant boundary definition map in the draft management plan. Proposed activities and uses permissible in each marine park zone 137°55'E 138°0'E 138°5'E 138°10'E 138°15'E 138°20'E 138°25'E Port are set out in the zoning tables, available in the Gawler CP Marine Park Draft Zoning Topographic South Australia’s Marine Parks Network Explanatory Document Produced by Marine Parks Project Restricted Access Zone (Existing) Built Up Area Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources GPO BOX 1047 Adelaide SA 5001 Sanctuary Zone Marine Park Boundary Data Source www.marineparks.sa.gov.au or at www.marineparks.sa.gov.au Marine Parks, NPWSA, Topographic Data, Habitat Protection Zone Existing Reserves under other Acts Coastline (median high water) - DEWNR Compiled 5 July 2012 • • 0 5 General Managed Use Zone Projection Lambert Conformal Conic •

• Defence Prohibited Area Datum Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994

Special Purpose Area © Copyright Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources 2012. Seaward Mangrove Extent Kms All Rights Reserved. All works and information displayed are subject to Copyright. For Adelaide (Harbor Activities) the reproduction Or publication beyond that permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth) Coastline (median high water) written permission must be sought from the Department. Special Purpose Area THIS MAP IS INDICATIVE ONLY AND IS NOT Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed, the Department, its agents, officers and employees make no representations, either express (Defence Prohibited Area) INTENDED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES or implied, that the information displayed is accurate or fit for any purpose and expressly Major Road disclaims all liability for loss or damage arising from reliance upon the information displayed. Minor Road 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: 2012-6041

DEH St andar d Marine Park 14 - Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine Park

137°55'E 138°0'E 138°5'E 138°10'E 138°15'E 138°20'E 138°25'E

Port Arthur Balaklava S S ' ' 0 0 1 1 ° ° 4 4 3 3 SZ-1 Clinton Wetlands SZ (62km2) Port Wakefield Wetland of national importance. Mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass beds provide homes for juvenile fish including garfish, whiting, blue swimmer crab and protected pipe fish.

SPA-1 Clinton Port Clinton

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• •

• S S ' ' • 5 5 • 1

1 • • ° ° 4 4

• 3 3 Port Price •

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• •

•

• Price

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• •

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Home to internationally important shore birds•

•

• Seagrass of Upper Gulf St Vincent SZ - Fish nursery for commercial and recreationally sought sh species2 including whiting.

• (110km including 87km2 of defence zone)

• Seagrass habitat provides shelter and refuge

•

• for many fish species including stingaree. S S ' ' 0 0 • 2 2 SPA-3 ° ° 4 4

•

• 3 3

•

• Defence • Prohibited Wild Horse Plains

• Area • HPZ-1 SZ-2 RAZ-1

• •

• • •

• Tiddy Widdy

•

Beach •

• • S S ' '

5 5 • 2

2 Ardrossan • ° ° 4 4

3 3 •

SPA-2 • •

• Parham

• • GMUZ-1 • Webb Beach

Parara Point Dublin

Thompson Beach

Rogues Point S S ' ' SZ-3 0 0 3 3 ° ° 4 4 3 3

Zanoni Port Prime Shipwreck

Light Beach Road S S ' ' 5 5 Light River 3 3

SZ-4 ° ° 4 4 Delta 3 3

Middle Beach Light River Delta SZ (16km2) 2 Offshore Ardrossan SZ (37km ) Wetland of national importance. Important snapper spawning ground. Mangrove estuary a significant nursery habitat for fish. Includes existing protected ship wreck. One of the best preserved mangrove systems in SA. Port Gawler Beach

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

137°55'E 138°0'E 138°5'E 138°10'E 138°15'E 138°20'E 138°25'E Port Gawler CP Marine Park Draft Zoning Topographic Produced by Marine Parks Project Restricted Access Zone (Existing) Built Up Area Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources GPO BOX 1047 Adelaide SA 5001 Sanctuary Zone Marine Park Boundary Data Source www.marineparks.sa.gov.au Marine Parks, NPWSA, Topographic Data, Habitat Protection Zone Existing Reserves under other Acts Coastline (median high water) - DEWNR Compiled 5 July 2012 • • 0 5 General Managed Use Zone Projection Lambert Conformal Conic •

• Defence Prohibited Area Datum Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994

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 permit = a permit is Coastal Developments and Infrastructure GMUZ HPZ SZ RAZ 3 required for this activity Marinas, jetties, pontoons, breakwalls, outfall and pipelines, 5 5 renewable energy infrastructure 3 3 3 limit = conditions apply 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 5 or in South Australia’s Marine of vessels less than 80m in length 3 3 3 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 Upper Gulf St Vincent 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, Marine Life Society of SA, or service. Jeff Red 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