Marine Park 3 West Coast Bays Marine Park

Marine Park 3 3 West Coast Bays Marine Park

Park at a glance • West Coast Bays Marine Park is influenced by Western Australian marine ecosystems via the Leeuwin Current, West Coast Bays Marine Park is on the west coast of South which flows in an easterly direction across the Great Australia and includes Sceale, Venus and Baird Bays. Australian Bight. At 789 km2, it represents 3% of South Australia’s • Land and sea are linked at important sites adjacent to marine parks network. Venus Bay, Baird Bay, Sceale Bay, Point Labatt and Nicolas Community and industry Baudin Island Conservation Parks. • The Wirangu and Nauo-Barngarla Aboriginal people have traditional associations with the area. Boundary description • Commercial fishers target abalone, rock lobster, mud The West Coast Bays Marine Park comprises the area bounded cockles and scalefish species including King George by a line commencing on the coastline at median high water whiting and snapper. at a point 134°41’42.29”E, 33°15’42.09”S (at the southern end of Rincon Beach), then running progressively: • Sceale, Baird and Venus Bays are popular holiday destinations. Swimming with bottlenose dolphins ○○ westerly along the geodesic to the intersection with and Australian sea lions in Baird Bay is a highlight. the seaward limit of the coastal waters of the State at a point 134°18’53.5”E, 33°15’42.09”S; • Recreational fishing, boating and beach activities are popular pastimes around Sceale, Baird and Venus Bays, ○○ generally north-westerly along the seaward limit of while Point Labatt is popular for viewing Australian the coastal waters of the State to a point 134°3’36.72”E, sea lion colonies as well as the coastal scenery. 33°0’21.94”S; • Also featured in the park are five historic shipwrecks ○○ northerly along the geodesic to the intersection with the including the Elizabeth Rebecca and the Arachne. coastline at median high water at a point 134°3’36.72”E, 32°54’24.42”S (at or about Point Westall); and Fauna and flora ○○ generally south-easterly along the coastline at median • The world’s smallest live-bearing starfish high water (inclusive of all bays, lagoons and headlands) (known locally as “Little Patty”). to the point of commencement. • The Australian sea lion, seabirds and migratory shorebirds visit key habitats. NOTE: This boundary description is indicative only. It does not describe inclusions and exclusions of specific land parcels. Habitat For this detailed information, please refer to the DEH website: • West Coast Bays Marine Park includes parts www.marineparks.sa.gov.au or Surveyor-General’s office for of the Eyre Bioregion. the relevant marine park plan (known as a Rack Plan). • Habitats typical of this region include: ○○ very sheltered coastal embayments featuring islands and seagrass meadows, and ○○ exposed coastal cliffs, headlands and beaches facing the open ocean. • The habitats inside West Coast Bays Marine Park provide critical baselines to measure any changes to the State’s marine ecosystems that may arise over time from, for example, pollution or climate change. 3

For more information visit:

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E -50 P W S S S S " " " " 0 0 0 0 ' ' ' ' 0 0 0 0 ° 5 1 2 ° ° ° 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 Bioregions and South Australia’s marine parks network Eight biologically distinct regions have been identified off South Australia’s coastline. The State’s marine parks have been carefully designed to include parts of each bioregion and the various habitats within them. By including some examples of the marine biodiversity typical of the Eyre Bioregion, West Coast Bays Marine Park contributes to the marine parks network’s goal of representing and protecting examples of the full diversity of South Australia’s marine life. The marine life, habitats and natural processes typical of this region include the sheltered, tidal embayments and islands of Baird Bay and Venus Bay as well as the exposed coastal cliffs and surf beaches in the Sceale Bay and Searcy Bay areas. The 14 marine park Design Principles To guide the initial identification and final selection of South Australia’s multiple-use marine parks, 14 Design Principles were defined and adopted by the Government. The seven Biophysical Principles and seven Community Principles help ensure the marine parks network meets the objects of the Marine Parks Act 2007, as well as South Australia’s national and international obligations for marine protection. The Biophysical Design Principles guided the identification of proposed marine park sites. The Community Design Principles were then applied to fine-tune site selection of the 19 multiple-use parks in the network.

For more information visit: www.marineparks.sa.gov.au or call 1800 006 120 Biophysical Design Principles Comprehensiveness and Representativeness Principles To meet the Principle of Comprehensiveness, examples The seven Biophysical Principles address of all habitats that occur in a bioregion need to be included environmental conservation. within whatever marine parks are in that bioregion. In the first instance, all parks were designed to meet the To be Representative, all habitats in a region Precautionary Principle. Rigorous application of the Adequacy, (e.g. reefs, beaches, seagrass, mangroves) need to be Comprehensiveness and Representativeness Principles ensure included across the full variety of physical situations in the marine parks network meets South Australia’s national which they occur (e.g. shallow and deep water reefs, low and international marine protection obligations. and high energy beaches). This variety must be represented The remaining three Biophysical Principles helped prioritise within the combination of parks created in a bioregion. important local sites, to ensure the marine parks network Habitats of West Coast Bays Marine Park include high maximises ecological outcomes (South Australia’s Strategic energy surf beaches, cliffs, and rocky headlands with Plan Target 3.4). fringing reefs and sandy plains extending rapidly into The Precautionary Principle deeper waters. In contrast, the enclosed embayments The Precautionary Principle is a risk-management tool of Venus Bay and Baird Bay provide very sheltered which requires action to be taken now in areas where conditions and support dense seagrasses, sandy scientific knowledge is not yet complete. One of the ways seafloor habitats, tidal flats and coastal saltmarshes. the Precautionary Principle has been applied in developing Baird Bay also features numerous groundwater seepages marine parks is to include areas of unsurveyed seabed habitats. creating brackish soak springs, which support marsh and In the Eyre Bioregion, 14,973 km2 (80%) of seabed habitats sedge lands and attract many types of waterbirds. are yet to be surveyed. The high tidal flow reef environments of Venus Bay include As a precautionary measure, 574 km2 (4%) of unsurveyed sponge dominated reefs. habitat are included within West Coast Bays Marine Park. The orientation of Baird and Venus Bays is a significant factor Including unsurveyed habitats increases the likelihood in their role as nursery areas for many forms of fish and other that all the habitats that exist in a region are included marine life. The mouths of both bays face the summer south- within a marine park. easterly winds, allowing the bays to receive the larvae of The Adequacy Principle summer spawning species. Adequacy is achieved if the marine park provides for both Connectivity and Linkages Principle ecosystem integrity and the viability of whole populations Connectivity describes how plants and animals move of species. between different places. A marine park is considered to have achieved Adequacy if Linkages refers to the transfer of materials (e.g. organic both it and the network it contributes to are large enough to matter) and energy flows. Connectivity and Linkages both protect the species and habitats found there and close enough depend in part on the way currents, tides and waves move to connect populations. water and on the abilities of marine life to move between West Coast Bays Marine Park covers 789km2 (3% of the whole different areas. network). It has been designed to include multiple examples West Coast Bays Marine Park creates continuous Connectivity of each habitat type where possible, at sizes sufficient to and Linkages along-shore from Point Westall in the west to contain viable populations of marine species. just past Venus Bay in the east. The Principles of Connectivity and Linkages, Resilience Offshore, the marine park creates the opportunity to protect and Vulnerability and Ecological Importance also contribute connected habitat systems from the tidal flats and seagrasses to the Adequacy of a marine park. Ultimately, Adequacy is of the sheltered bays through to offshore reefs and sandy closely linked to the success of marine park management plains. This helps protect species whose life cycles depend on plans with zoning. access to different feeding, spawning, breeding and nursery habitats in small areas, as well as species dependent on areas separated by anything from tens of kilometres to hundreds of

For more information visit: www.marineparks.sa.gov.au or call 1800 006 120 kilometres. For example, western king prawns use the Point Labatt Conservation Park supports the largest seagrass meadows of Baird and Venus Bays as nursery areas mainland colony of Australian sea lions in Australia. during their juvenile life stages, before moving into deeper, A key species of this marine park is the world’s offshore waters as adults. smallest live-bearing starfish, Parvulastra parvivipara, The warm Leeuwin Current, originating in Western Australia, known locally as “Little Patty”. It is found only on the flows eastward across the Great Australian Bight transporting Western Eyre Peninsula at locations including Point Labatt. nutrients and larvae, linking this part of the Eyre Bioregion Locations such as Smooth Pool and Speed Point are to more distant ecosystems. of significance for juvenile and sub-adult blue groper. Resilience and Vulnerability Principle The combined Principle of Resilience and Vulnerability encourages the inclusion of places, plants and animals that are more susceptible to degradation or decline and/or less able to recover from damaging impacts. Less resilient habitats, plants and animals are less able to resist disturbances or pressures. In West Coast Bays Marine Park, populations of Australian sea lion at Nicholas Baudin Island and Jones Island are vulnerable to human pressures. Other areas such as coastal cliff tops, which provide critical breeding and nesting locations for endangered white-bellied sea eagles and rare ospreys, adjoin this park. More vulnerable habitats, plants and animals have less capacity to recover once pressures are removed. Coastal wetlands are a particularly vulnerable habitat type that features prominently in these sheltered coastal bays. West Coast Bays Marine Park includes coastal parcels of Crown land so that habitats such as saltmarshes may be able to move inland if sea levels rise as a result of climate change.

Ecological Importance Principle The sheltered environments of Baird and Venus Bays are regionally significant, highly productive nursery areas for a wide range of species, including many of recreational and commercial significance. Baird Bay is a recognised Wetland of National Importance, while both Baird and Venus Bays are of recognised international significance for local and migratory shorebirds, with many species of conservation importance and/or listed under international conservation treaties. For example, the extensive tidal flats of Baird Bay support the highest population on the west coast of grey plovers, a migratory species of international and national importance, while Venus Bay is of international significance for sooty oystercatchers. The endangered white-bellied sea eagle and the endangered osprey are also known to nest on cliffs in the area. 3 Community Design Principles Wherever possible, provision will be made in the West Coast Bays Marine Park management plan with zoning Synergies With Existing Protected Areas Principle to accommodate current and future economic, social and By aligning with existing protected areas, marine areas can infrastructure requirements. Administrative agreements contribute to the establishment of protected corridors across between agencies will support streamlined assessment so the land-sea interface. that the marine park does not create an extra approval process.

West Coast Bays Marine Park borders with the Venus Bay, Give Consideration to the Full Diversity Point Labatt and Sceale Bay Conservation Parks. Nicolas of Marine Uses Principle Baudin Island and the Point Labatt Aquatic Reserve are The Government is committed to designing marine included within the marine park boundary. parks for conservation and for sustainable use, in close Complementing Existing Management Principle consultation with local communities and with minimal Management of South Australia’s marine parks will impact on existing activities. complement, but not replace, current management The proclamation of the West Coast Bays Marine Park does arrangements. By providing a more inclusive management not change the way people use the marine environment, framework, South Australia’s marine parks network is or change any existing land or sea-bed tenure. designed to help existing environmental management practices. Wildcatch fisheries in the region target abalone, rock lobster, The District Council of Elliston and the District Council mud cockles and scalefish species including King George of Streaky Bay play an important role in managing coastal whiting and snapper. Proclamation of the West Coast Bays Crown lands which abut and, in some cases, are included Marine Park does not displace any existing commercial within the marine park. West Coast Bays Marine Park fishing activity. The Government recognises that high-value management will seek to integrate with existing local catch areas occur within the marine park and will work with government management practices for the continued care stakeholders during the development of the West Coast Bays of coastal Crown land community assets. Marine Park management plan with zoning to avoid The Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management (NRM) displacing effort from those areas wherever possible. Board is responsible for mitigating impacts on the marine There is an existing aquaculture licence in Sceale Bay. environment from land-based activities. Ongoing monitoring No existing aquaculture activities will be displaced as a result of ecosystem health in West Coast Bays Marine Park will help of the proclamation of West Coast Bays Marine Park or future the NRM Board prevent land-based pollution from reaching marine park zoning arrangements. In addition, no further the sea. approvals or permits will be required to conduct these No aquaculture policy zones exist in the marine park, existing activities. The habitats of the region are also however individual licences do exist. West Coast Bays important for biodiversity conservation and the marine parks Marine Park management will seek to integrate with existing program will seek to integrate with existing management management by the Department for Primary Industries and strategies developed and delivered by PIRSA‘s Aquaculture Resources South Australia’s (PIRSA) Aquaculture Division in Division to ensure that the needs of both marine parks and the area to ensure that the established aquaculture industry aquaculture can be met. can continue to benefit from healthy seas in the region. Tourism is an important industry in the region, with Sceale, There is an aquatic reserve established at Point Labatt and a Baird and Venus Bays long established as popular holiday netting closure extends south of Sceale Bay, including Cape destinations. Recreational fishing, boating and beach activities Blanche, and extends south and east including Venus Bay. are some of the main drawcards. Point Labatt attracts tourists Management of West Coast Bays Marine Park will respect and to view the spectacular coastal scenery and Australian sea lion complement existing fisheries management arrangements, colonies. Unique tourism and ecotourism experiences have and will not change bag, boat and size limits or other area- been created, such as the opportunity to swim with bottlenose based fisheries management arrangements. dolphins and Australian sea lions in the protected embayment of Baird Bay. There are several jetties and boat ramps in the region. West Coast Bays Marine Park will accommodate the ongoing The outer boundary of West Coast Bays Marine Park does not management and maintenance needs of these facilities. change existing recreational fishing and boating activities and does not affect access to, or use of, jetties, break-walls or boat

For more information visit: www.marineparks.sa.gov.au or call 1800 006 120 ramps. Existing access for recreational beach fishing will be Provide for Education, Appreciation maintained throughout West Coast Bays Marine Park, except and Recreation Principle in small areas designated as “sanctuary” or “restricted access” West Coast Bays Marine Park was designed to ensure the zones in the West Coast Bays Marine Park management plan things we enjoy in this environment continue, by helping to with zoning. This will be developed over the next couple maintain a healthy marine environment and our uses of it. of years with extensive community input. Further opportunities for education, appreciation and With input from a Marine Park Local Advisory Group, recreation will be achieved through the zoning and industry and the community, a management plan with management planning process. zoning will be developed for West Coast Bays Marine Park which will cater for ongoing community use of the area. Need more information? The management plan will be subject to community For further information, please see: Design Principles Guiding consultation and every effort will be made to minimise the Development of South Australia’s Marine Park Boundaries impacts on people and businesses. and Technical Report on the Outer Boundaries of South Australia’s Respect Indigenous Interests and Culture Principle Marine Parks Network. Both are available on the marine parks The Government is aware that there may be confidential website: www.marineparks.sa.gov.au or by calling 1800 006 120. Aboriginal heritage sites in South Australia’s coastal areas. Where possible, these sites have been considered in the planning process. Future management plans will ensure these heritage sites are appropriately respected. The Wirangu and Nauo-Barngarla Aboriginal people have traditional associations with the land and the waters around Sceale Bay, Baird Bay and Venus Bay areas. Aboriginal people have expressed the aspiration to negotiate traditional Aboriginal fishing rights through an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). West Coast Bays Marine Park will provide for continued traditional fishing in accordance with any fishing ILUAs.

Give Consideration to Cultural Heritage Principle Five historic shipwrecks lie in the marine park including two from the 19th century, the Elizabeth Rebecca (1845) and Arachne (1848). Point Labatt Conservation Park is listed on the Register of the National Estate and conserves the largest mainland colony of Australian sea lions in Australia.

Ensure Ease of Identification, Compliance and Enforcement Principle West Coast Bays Marine Park was designed to ensure ease of identification, compliance and enforcement where possible. The boundary of West Coast Bays Marine Park utilises identifiable landmarks such as Point Westall. Offshore, the park boundary follows straight lines where possible, with the exception being where it follows the State waters line. Along the coastline, the marine park boundary lies at the median high water mark unless otherwise specified. 3