wants future generations to enjoy King George What is a and why is it whiting, crabs and squid in Geographe Bay, as well needed? as West Australian dhufish, blue groper and western In essence, marine parks are about sharing the rock lobster along the west coast. marine environment with future generations. Migratory species such as southern right and While WA’s coastal waters are among the humpback whales, salmon and herring that spend healthiest on earth, the pressures on these areas time in the marine park will benefit from having an are growing. The intention of marine parks is to important place on their migratory route protected. conserve and maintain these healthy environments at their peak, rather than waiting until it is too BRUV footage of Snapper late. The number of people that use the Ngari Capes Marine Park area is growing every year. The local towns of Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River are among the fastest-growing populations in regional Australia. Each year, over 3.5 million tourists visit the Leeuwin- Naturaliste National Park, which adjoins the marine park. This level of pressure can place a strain on any marine environment, even if each individual is doing the right thing. Marine parks are monitored and researched over This marine park will help to protect important time so that scientists can develop a better granite and limestone reefs, large cool water understanding of the marine life within them. (temperate) seagrass meadows and corals that are Marine parks usually attract a higher level of at the southern limit of their range. A wide range government funding to manage problems such as of marine animals use these habitats. Everybody pollution from fertilisers, and foreshore development. The State Government is progressively creating a representative system of multiple-use marine parks and reserves in . The long- term aim is to provide protection for all types of marine habitats using a system that is ‘comprehensive, adequate, and representative’. Marine parks are created under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 and are vested in the Conservation and Parks Commission. In WA, marine parks are zoned, with different zones allowing different activities.

Photo: Sean Blocksidge

Page 1 of 4 Ngari Capes Marine Park (* two neighbouring Australian Marine Park no-take zones)

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Inset: Location of around the Capes

Page 2 of 4 What are the types of zones in a marine Australian Marine Parks) are the only areas where park? all fishing is prohibited. These ‘look but don’t take’ areas provide a place where marine plants and The zones used to manage the various uses of animals remain least affected by people and our marine parks are described below: activities. They also provide important reference General use zones are managed to conserve sites for scientists to assess and compare aspects of natural values while allowing a wide range of the marine environment. Marine animals that are activities where they do not impact on the values not very mobile, or don’t move far from a of the park (e.g. sustainable fishing). General use particular home range, tend to benefit from zones form the bulk of most marine parks, sanctuary zones. Two Australian Marine Parks help including Ngari Capes. protect Ngari Cape’s offshore marine environment- Recreation zones allow recreational activities such both parks include National Park Zones that are as recreational fishing, snorkelling and diving but shown on this map. exclude commercial fishing and charter fishing operations. Are the Sanctuary zones on Navionics? Special purpose zones are managed for a Yes, the sanctuary zones of Ngari Capes Marine Park particular use or issue. For example, surfing zones are now included in all Navionics products. Please in the Ngari Capes Marine Park recognise surfing as note that some products may require an update for a priority use and exclude use of rock lobster and the zones to appear. Alternatively you can octopus pots for safety reasons. familiarise yourself with the location of the zones and rules by visiting our website: Sanctuary zones (known as National Park Zones in (https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/ngari-capes)

Photo: Hamish Stubbs

Page 3 of 4 Fishers are encouraged to download the “Marine Photo: Hamish Stubbs Parks WA” smartphone app and the “Recfish West” smartphone app. These apps can help you find out what marine park zone you are in and what activities you can enjoy, even when offline or out of mobile service range. Both these apps also feature a moving map that can pinpoint your location in real-time. Fishers are also encouraged to keep up to date with changes to fishing rules via the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Fisheries website. It is the responsibility of all fishers to find out what the rules are, and where they can and can’t fish. Please make sure you ‘know the zones’ before you head out. Please contact the Parks and Wildlife Busselton office for further information.

Australian Marine parks around the Capes How are the zones marked? Australian Marine Parks protect offshore, On the water: Sanctuary (national park) zones Commonwealth waters that extend from 3 to 200 in Geographe Bay and Flinders Bay are marked nautical miles from shore. Around the Ngari by yellow buoys that extend one metre above Capes, two Australian Marine Parks neighbour the state managed Ngari Capes Marine Park, water level. Updated nautical charts also show complementing and extending protection for the the location of the zones. local marine environment. To the north,

Geographe Marine Park protects the sheltered waters of Geographe Bay, including deep seagrass beds and important foraging, resting and nursery habitats for both iconic and commercially important species. To the west and south, the South-west Corner Marine Park protects diverse habitats, from shallow rocky reef systems to seafloor features like the continental shelf and canyons that support diverse benthic and pelagic communities. To find out more about these two Australian Marine Parks: W: parksaustralia.gov.au/south-west E: [email protected] P: 1800 069 352

On the land: In most places where shore- based fishing is prohibited by Sanctuary Zones, signage is installed.

Further Information

For more information about the Ngari Capes Marine Park, including the management plan, contact the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Busselton office: [email protected] 14 Queen Street, Busselton WA 6280 (08)9752 5555

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