Introduction

South Australia's coastal, estuarine and marine waters have significant environmental, economic, social, and cultural value to South Australians. Our coastline spans approximately 5,000 km (including islands) and varies from cliffs, rocky shores, and sandy beaches in the South-East and West Coast, to mud flats, samphire and mangrove habitats in the upper Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf. Our marine environment spans over 60,000 km² of State waters and supports a diverse range of habitats including seagrass meadows, benthic sand habitats, sponge gardens and a variety of intertidal and sub tidal reef habitats. Across the state we also have over 100 estuaries which are significant breeding and nursery habitats for a broad range of ecologically diverse species.

Cape Northumberland, Lower South East (Photo: Sarah Bignell)	Another World (Photo: Sean Connell)	Blanche Harbour, Upper Spencer Gulf (Photo: Deb Allen)	Seagrass (Photo: Sean Connell)

South Australia's coastal, estuarine and marine environments are internationally recognised for their unique diversity. The waters support more than 6,000 invertebrates, 1,200 algae, 350 fish species, 16 breeding seabird species, 33 mammal species and 12 seagrass species. In the Southern Ocean, 75% of the red algae, 85% of the fish species and 95% of seagrasses are found nowhere else in the world, giving them local, national and international significance. In comparison, the Great Barrier Reef shares more than 80% of its fish, coral reefs and other marine organisms with other countries in the tropics.

Our coastal, estuarine and marine environments also represent a highly valuable resource for both State and regional economies, supporting a wide range of activities including commercial fishing, aquaculture, shipping, mining, tourism, science, education and a wide range of recreational pursuits.

Crayfishing, Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island (Photo: SATC)	Coffin Bay Fishing Charters, Eyre Peninsula (Photo: SATC)

With more than 90% of South Australians living on or near the coast and so many people working on the coast or visiting it, we are increasing the pressure we place on our coast and marine resources. The pressures of increasing resource use will eventually impact on the health of our marine environment. As our lifestyles and livelihoods rely on a healthy marine environment, it is important that we take steps now to protect it for future generations.

Marine Parks are internationally recognised as an effective tool for conserving and protecting marine environments. The South Australian Government is committed to the conservation of our coastal, estuarine and marine environments. Through the Living Coast Strategy and South Australia's Strategic Plan, the South Australian Government has made a commitment to establish a representative system of marine protected areas, including 19 new marine parks within State waters by 2010.

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