The science

The location of and design of marine parks in South Australia will be based on scientifically informed principles and thorough and ongoing scientific studies which began in the 1990s.

South Australia's marine parks program employs a team of experienced marine scientists responsible for gathering information through scientific research and monitoring.

This research includes:

1. Biodiversity surveys to count the number and diversity of species in a specific area and monitoring this information by re-visiting the same sites to check if the marine parks program is achieving the desired outcome.
2. Habitat mapping of our marine habitats using high-resolution photography and satellite imagery. In areas where the water is too deep to use satellite imagery, the seafloor is being studied with underwater video and acoustic sounding.

The results of this research are collated into habitat maps that, together with existing scientific information, will be used in conjunction with social information to determine marine park boundaries and the zones within them.

The marine parks program also benefits from the involvement and advice of some of South Australia's leading marine scientists. A Scientific Working Group comprising a number of South Australia's most recognised marine scientists provides independent advice to the Government across the full range of marine conservation initiatives including marine parks.

For more details about the science behind the design of South Australia's marine parks:

• Technical report on the outer boundaries of South Australia's marine park network (2.89mb pdf).

Information about the physical features of each park can be found on each park page.