Pilot Encounter Marine Park
IntroductionThe first of South Australia's proposed representative Marine Protected Areas (also known as 'marine parks') is the Encounter Marine Park. The proposed area is situated 80 km south of Adelaide and covers 2,400 km2 of coast and ocean between the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. Proposed boundariesThe north-western boundary of the proposed marine park extends in a straight line from Carrickalinga Head on the Fleurieu Peninsula to Point Marsden on the north coast of Kangaroo Island. The south-eastern boundary of the proposed marine park extends from a point approximately 500 m south-east of the Murray Mouth to Cape Willoughby on the eastern tip of Kangaroo Island. See Zoning of the Encounter Marine Park (Draft for Public Review) (600Kb PDF). The proposed marine park is adjacent to the population centres of Carrickalinga, Normanville, Cape Jervis, and Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula as well as Penneshaw, American River, Island Beach, Brownlow and Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. Habitats and biodiversityThe proposed Encounter Marine Park incorporates a variety of habitats structured by a range of physical and environmental influences including coastal geology, wave exposure, water depth and ocean circulation (such as currents, upwelling and tidal influences). Included are marine habitats that are typical to southern Australia: sandy beaches; rocky shores; kelp forests and other algal habitats; and extensive seagrass meadows and intertidal flats, some of which are important nursery habitats for a range of marine fauna. The dramatic physical conditions and features of Backstairs Passage provide an environment that supports animals such as sponges and soft corals in less typical environments. Unique in its own right, Backstairs Passage houses deepwater trench systems and brachiopod ('lampshells') fauna. The proposed Encounter Marine Park is also home to a number of rare and endemic species. The largest breeding colony of Australian sea lions in the world is found on The Pages Islands. The waters of Encounter Bay are a significant aggregation area for Southern Right Whales, whilst other whales are frequently recorded travelling though the proposed marine park during their seasonal migration. Fish species such as the Western Blue Groper and Leafy Seadragon inhabit the reefs and seagrass meadows of the proposed Encounter Marine Park. Furthermore, parts of the proposed marine park are home to approximately 100 species of marine and coastal water birds, some of which are listed on international bird treaties and/or are considered rare or vulnerable in South Australia. The proposed Encounter Marine Park includes twelve distinct habitat categories that represent South Australia's marine ecosystems:
Significant assessment of these twelve habitats was required prior to deliberation by the Encounter 'Pilot' MPA Consultative Committee. This work produced startling results including the identification of unique deep water trenches within Backstairs Passage. For more information please see chapter 8.17 of the Technical Report. Social and economic issuesParts of the proposed Encounter Marine Park are also important cultural sites for Indigenous people. The southern Fleurieu Peninsula is traditionally the country of the Ngarrindjeri people, who occupied the region from Cape Jervis to Kingston in the south-east. The tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula represents the transitional boundary of the Ngarrindjeri and the Kaurna people whose traditional boundary stretches from Cape Jervis northwards including the Mount Lofty Ranges and the shores of Gulf St Vincent. There are a number of registered spiritual and cultural heritage sites in the region, which are of importance to the Indigenous community. The Encounter Bay, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island regions are important socially and economically. A wide range of commercial and recreational activities are practised and enjoyed throughout the area. Parts of the proposed Encounter Marine Park act as a sea-way for shipping activities and support commercial activities such as fishing (marine scale fish, prawn, lobster and abalone) and aquaculture. Tourism-based ventures such as scuba diving and fishing charters are also centred within the proposed marine park. All of these activities contribute to the regional economy and are an important source of income to local communities. Recreational activities reliant on the coast and waters of the proposed marine park include fishing, scuba diving, whale, seal and dolphin watching, boating, surfing and other beach and coastal activities. Jetties, lighthouses, Aboriginal heritage sites, shipwrecks and geological monuments found within the proposed marine park form an integral part of the social and cultural make-up of the area. Refer to chapter 9.1.17 of the Technical Report. 
Encounter Marine Park Draft Zoning PlanThe Encounter Marine Park Draft Zoning Plan was released for a three-month period of consultation in March 2005 (see Draft Zoning Plan brochure (1.3Mb PDF)). The Draft Zoning Plan brochure should be read in conjunction with the following explanatory materials:
During the consultation period DEH distributed over 9,000 brochures and submission forms, conducted 15 public information days and presented at three public meetings in the local area, attracting over 800 people. Key stakeholder groups were also directly consulted during this period. Over 420 written submissions and 65 form letters were received. DEH is currently considering all the public submissions in detail, which is expected to lead to some changes to the zoning plan. A final decision on the zoning plan will not be made until further consultation has taken place with representative groups and the proposed Marine Parks legislation is put in place. The draft Marine Parks Bill 2006 (400Kb PDF) was released on 1 September 2006 for public comment. For further information on the Zoning Plan and other supporting information, please contact one of the following DEH offices:
Encounter Consultative CommitteeTo assist in the development of this Draft Zoning Plan, expressions of interest to form a locally based Consultative Committee were sought through advertisements in the local press during August 2002. Members were sought from the communities of Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula who could demonstrate expertise in aspects of the marine environment. The Consultative Committee assisted the Government with the development of the Draft Zoning Plan for the proposed Encounter Marine Park. The Consultative Committee provided invaluable insights and advice as to the social and economic issues for the adjacent communities and also ensured the local community had an active voice in issues affecting their local marine environment. |
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