Marine parks

Where are the marine parks?

The South Australian Government declared the outer boundaries of 19 multiple-use marine parks in 2009.

All of South Australia's 19 marine parks are located inside State waters, which are generally within three nautical miles (or about 5.6 kilometres) of the shoreline or within the gulfs. Click on the following links for general information about the 19 marine parks.

What's been happening recently?

In May 2011, after 18 months of community-led meetings, the Great Australian Bight Consultative Committee (GABCC) and the State's 13 Marine Park Local Advisory Groups (MPLAGs) presented the SA Government with advice on how sanctuary zones could best fit inside their local marine parks, so as to minimise impact on local activities. These volunteer groups were made up of recreational fishers, local council representatives, conservationists, commercial fishers and other local community interests.

see the latest community advice from the GABCC and MPLAGs on how marine parks could be zoned.

What happens next?

The GABCC and MPLAG advice are being carefully considered by the Government as management plans with zoning are being drafted for the State's 19 marine parks. The draft management plans with zoning will be issued for full public consultation in late 2011, accompanied by impact statements setting out the expected environmental, economic and social effects of the draft plans.

The 19 management plans with zoning are due to be finalised by mid 2012.

The Marine Parks Management Planning Process timeline (15kb pdf) outlines the planning process from the establishment of the MPLAGs to the implementation of the management plans with zoning.