An environment worth protecting

More than 7500 species of plants and animals are found in southern Australian waters and 85 per cent of them are found nowhere else in the world.

This means that southern waters are more diverse and unique than the Great Barrier Reef.

This places a great responsibility on South Australians to ensure this incredible marine environment remains for future generations to use and enjoy.

The State Government is dedicated to conserving our coastal, estuarine and marine environments. It has commited to establishing a network of 19 marine parks within State waters by 2010.

Watch some of these plants and animals here.

Marine parks profiled on a current affair

Marine parks were recently profiled on a current affair - watch the story here.

Where are the 19 proposed marine parks? more questions...

A map showing the outer boundaries of the 19 marine parks is available here.

Management plans with zoning will be finalised by mid 2011.

Can I still fish in a marine park? more questions...

Yes. The majority of waters within each marine park will be available for fishing and other recreational and commercial activities.

Why do we need marine parks? more questions...

As the State's population grows so does the number of people living on the coast and this puts pressure on our marine environment. Acting now to conseve the marine environment will ensure it remains in good condition for this generation and the next. Marine parks will help protect examples of all of South Australia's marine habitats for future use and enjoyment.