VISITING RESERVES Ninepin Point MARINE RESERVE Ninepin Point Marine Reserve protects an unusual marine environment. Here the 36 kms saltwater is overlain by tannin- to Hobart Cygnet Woodbridge rich freshwater from the 0 2 4 Kms nearby Huon River. The tea- coloured tannin layer restricts Launceston St Helens N light penetration to the top few metres. This restricts light- Hobart loving brown and green algae C H A N N E L to the very shallowest water. Many species normally only H I G H W A Middleton Y Simpsons encountered in much deeper, darker waters – such as sea Point l C H A N N e fans and sea whips, jackass morwong and red algae – are E L n H I G H n W A seen here in shallow water. Ninepin Point is one of the few Y a Garden Gordon h Gordon C Island places in the world where this phenomenon occurs. x u VeronaVerona SandsSands a e AY W IG H t H L BRUNY E s C H A N N a The reserve extends from the eastern end of Verona c ISLAND NINEPIN POINT e Huon MARINE RESERVE tr Sands Beach to approximately 1.8km south-west of the n Island ’E Gordon boat ramp, and out to sea approximately 400m D south of Arch Rock. The entire marine reserve is a fully For detailed map see next page protected ‘no-take’ area. Fishing and other extractive activities are prohibited. Things to do Ninepin Point provides a unique opportunity to see deepwater species within diveable depths. You will need a torch, regardless of the time of day, as the tannin-rich freshwater surface layer creates night dive conditions in the clear saltwater beneath. With a torch visibility can be up to 15 metres, however strong winds reduce visibility by mixing the tannin layer with the saltwater. The best time of year to dive is during summer or autumn, or when the rainfall is low and flow from Vermilion biscuit stars are commonly seen in the reserve. Although the Huon River is at a minimum. Water highly variable in colour, they are easily recognised by their yellow, temperatures range from 8°C in winter to orange or red plates separated by thin white lines. 20°C in summer. Photo: Neville Barrett Kayaking is a great way to explore Arch Getting there Rock and enjoy the spectacular views of Ninepin Point Marine Reserve is located one hour’s drive the D’Entrecasteaux Channel with Hartz south of Hobart along the Channel Highway, between the Mountains in the distance. Launch from the small towns of Gordon and Verona Sands. The reserve can boat ramps at Gordon or Charlotte Cove, or be accessed at several points along the Channel Highway, from the western end of the sandy Verona including at White Cliff and the headland of Ninepin Point, Sands beach, or from the rocky cobble beach where access is via a short track from the carpark. at White Cliff. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment June 2013 © State of Tasmania C H A N N E L H I G H W A Y Garden Island Creek C H A N N E N The entire marine reserve L is a fully protected ‘no-take’ 0 2 4 H I area. Fishing and other G Garden H W extractive activities are A Kilometres Island Y Gordon prohibited. The reserve is l e patrolled. Heavy penalties harlotte Co C ve Verona n Y n A Three Hut apply for fishing or Garden W a H h Island Sands White IG Point H C interfering with marine Point Cli L x N E u life. Report illegal fishing to C H A N a e t Fishwatch. NINEPIN POINT s a c Ninepin MARINE RESERVE e tr Eastern and western Point ARCH n ROCK ’E boundaries of the reserve D are indicated onshore by Huon white, paired poles. You are 147°09.667’ E 147°13.606’ E Island 43°17.483’ S 43°17.483’ S on the boundary when the poles are aligned. If you’re boating, look out for dive flags denoting Bruny diver below. Boats must Island not exceed 5 knots within 120 metres of a dive flag. fishwatch Vessels should keep at least REPORT ILLEGAL FISHING 100 metres away from a 0427 655 557 dive flag. sticker Help our marine environment Know the boundaries. If fishing, ensure you’re not in the marine reserve. Take your rubbish home. Ropes, plastics and fishing line can harm wildlife. Anchoring. Avoid anchoring on sensitive habitats such as seagrass beds and sponge gardens. Sandy seafloors are preferred; alternatively kelp-coveredposter reefs. Divers. Avoid damaging fragile marine life. Secure your gauges and equipment close to your body, ensure you have good buoyancy control, do not grip objects for support, and be careful notfishwatch to cause damage with your fins. REPORT ILLEGAL FISHING Male bluethroat wrasse (pictured) are strikingly different in Marine pests and0427 diseases 655 . 557 To avoid their spread, after Funded by the Marine Recreational Fishing Trust Fund appearance to the smaller females which are mottled green or every trip clean and dry your fishing/dive/boating gear. brown with a broad dark and light vertical band across their body. Periodically and at least annually clean your boat hull. Interestingly they are hermaphrodites, commencing life as females, Fish for the future. Where fishing is permitted, observe and if they survive longer than the dominant male within their size, bag and possession limits. Only take enough for a feed. territory, they change sex to take on the male role. Get a copy of the latest Recreational Sea Fishing Guide or Photo: Karen Gowlett-Holmes go to www.fishing.tas.gov.au for fishing information. Giant kelp can grow up to 30m long. They are the fastest Lace bryozoans, sometimes called lace corals, are very fragile growing kelp in the world. calcified colonies of tiny animals often incorrectly thought to be corals. Photo: Karen Gowlett-Holmes Photo: Neville Barrett Page 2 Visiting Reserves – Ninepin Point Marine Reserve giant kelp crayweed bull kelp sea tulip 0m vermilion biscuit star senator wrasse eleven-armed longn pike seastar caulerpa abalone bluethroat wrasse brownstriped 5m lace common leatherjacket bryozoan kelp red algae common gurnard plumed perch gorgonian pencil urchin rock lobster feather star plate sponge 10m Example of marine life found at Ninepin Point Marine Reserve Special features base of each blade, keep the upper portions of the algae The unusual water conditions – saltwater overlain by afloat making the beds of giant kelp often visible on the dark-coloured, tannin-rich freshwater from the Huon River surface. Giant kelp prefers cool, nutrient-rich waters so – result in unexpected marine life. The dark freshwater the kelp beds often deteriorate in condition and decrease restricts light penetration, so the typical light-loving brown in size during late summer and autumn. There are fewer and green algae, which commonly occur to depths of up opportunities to see giant kelp than there used to be. to 15m, are restricted to just a few metres. In their place Changing ocean conditions are resulting in warmer, a flourishing and diverse community of red algae and nutrient-poor waters extending further south along invertebrates occur. These are usually found in much deeper Tasmania’s coast. This has resulted in the progressive loss of waters. The diversity and rarity of many of these species is kelp beds from their historical range over the last 40 years. so great, that many are still poorly understood by scientists. When originally declared in 1991 the reserve included The seafloor at Ninepin consists of a large and spectacular 60 hectares around the Ninepin Point headland, with offshore rocky reef, deeply fissured and adorned in a the boundary midway along the reef. In December 2009 great variety of colourful sponges, delicate feather stars, the reserve was extended to incorporate the entire reef lace bryozoans, tangerine-coloured sea tulips, sea whips, and now covers 732 hectares. Following this extension, vermilion biscuit stars and beautiful and diverse red algae. the population of bastard trumpeter – a reef species Closer to shore is a series of large dolerite boulders. At low susceptible to gill netting – has increased and the species is tide their rounded tops are exposed, bearing resemblance now commonly seen in the reserve. to rounded pins from the British game ‘ninepins’ – after which the reserve receives its name. More than 200 algal species have been recorded at Ninepin Point, which is highly diverse by world standards. The reserve is especially renowned for its red algae, with over 80 species recorded, several of which are only recorded from here. A patch of giant kelp is present off the Ninepin Point headland in depths of 2-6 metres. Like trees in a rainforest, kelp provides a structure that supports a great diversity of marine animals. Instead of tree-like roots that extend into the sediment, kelp has ‘anchors’ called holdfasts that This red algae (Sonderopeltis corriacea) is generally entirely red, but in the Ninepin Point area is commonly a striking combination of yellow grip onto the rock. From these holdfasts the kelp grows and red. towards the water surface. Gas bladders, found at the Photo: Neville Barrett Visiting Reserves – Ninepin Point Marine Reserve Page 3 Securing the future Tasmania has one of the most biologically diverse and unique marine environments in the world. Over 80% of the plants and animals living in Australia’s southern waters are found nowhere else on earth. Tasmanians are heavily reliant on a healthy, well-functioning marine environment.