A marine park is a designated park consisting of an area of sea (or lake) set aside to achieve ecological sustainability , promote marine awareness and understanding, enable marine recreational activities , and provide benefits for Indigenous peoples and coastal communities . Most marine parks are managed by national governments, and organized like 'watery' national parks , whereas marine protected areas and marine reserves are often managed by a subnational entity or non-governmental organization , such as a conservation authority .
39-826: Solitary Islands Marine Park ( SIMP ) is a marine park in New South Wales State waters, Australia. It adjoins the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters) and was declared under the Marine Parks Act 1997 (NSW) in January 1998. Prior to this it was declared a marine reserve in 1991. The Park was one of the first declared in NSW and stretches along the northern NSW coast, from Muttonbird Island , Coffs Harbour , to Plover Island near Sandon River , 75 kilometres to
78-485: A marine reserve is an area which has a higher degree of legal protection than marine parks for conservation purposes. In New South Wales , there are planned marine parks which will stretch along the coastline of the entire state. France and its territories are home to nine marine parks, known as parc naturel marin [ fr ] . Nearly all existing marine reserves have been set close to shore, mostly in territorial waters. A main reason for this lies in
117-648: A large variety of fauna and flora. The northern section of the marine park borders the Yuragir National Park, between Sandon River and Red Rock, which contains several open and closed lakes and lagoons. As well as bordering Moonee Beach Nature Reserve, Garby Nature Reserve at Arrawarra, and Coffs Coast Regional Park, it also incorporates Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve , Split Solitary Island Nature Reserve, South West Solitary Island Nature Reserve, North West Solitary Island Nature Reserve, North Rock Nature Reserve, North Solitary Island Nature Reserve and
156-536: A lighthouse keeper on South Solitary Island, rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), goats ( Capra hircus ) and dogs were introduced to the island to the detriment of the vegetation, but these animals have since been removed. Rats ( Rattus norvegicus ), bandicoots ( Isoodon spp. ) and foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) have been found on Muttonbird Island, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway, however National Parks and Wildlife Service have an eradication program in place to control this. 858 species of fish are found in
195-614: A lower level of protection and allows activities such as commercial and recreational fishing. The marine national parks are: Kimberley region: Gascoyne region: Zieria prostrata Zieria prostrata commonly known as headland zieria , is a plant in the citrus family Rutaceae and is endemic to the Coffs Harbour district in New South Wales . It is a prostrate shrub with leaves composed of three leaflets, and flowers with four pink to white petals . It
234-462: A single nature reserve near Coffs Harbour. It is difficult to count the population size but the National Parks and Wildlife Service estimated about one thousand individuals in 1998. Other headlands along the New South Wales coastline have similar zierias and it is possible that other populations of this species may yet be discovered. Zieria prostrata is classified as "Endangered" under
273-444: A transitional zone between land and sea, generally in an intertidal area and provide habitat for many fish, birds and invertebrates. Two types of mangroves dominate, grey mangrove ( Avicennia marina ) and river mangrove ( Aegiceras corniculatum ). The vegetation on the islands and headlands in the region are dwarf grassy heath and rocky heath that struggle with shallow soils and salty winds. Threatened plant species found growing on
312-589: A wider range of activities, and lastly the Special Purpose zones (0.1% of park) cover sites of cultural significance to the Aboriginal community, research sites and oyster leases. South Solitary Island with its lighthouse and cottages is a historic site. Visiting the island is allowed for two weekends of the year, in July, by helicopter. Public Moorings: A number of public moorings have been installed in
351-803: Is Burton’s Snake Lizard ( Lialis burtonis ) though Eastern Water Dragons ( Physignathus lesueurii ) were plentiful prior to 1930. At depths greater than 25 metres the sea bottom is dominated by sponges and invertebrates. More than 700 species of molluscs (snails and shellfish) and coral are found in the Marine Park. Invertebrate species found include blue-bottles, sea-squirts, sea-whips and black coral ( Antipatharia ), as well as oysters ( Saccostrea and Crassostrea species) and crustaceans such as crabs ( Scylla serrata , Portunus pelagicus and Ranina ranina ), prawns (all species in family Penaeidae) and crayfish ( Jasus verreauxi , Scyllarus spp. and Panulirus spp. ). Commercial prawn trawling
390-471: Is allowed in the general use area of the Park and crab and lobster trapping in both the general use and habitat protected areas. The Solitary Islands region contains the southernmost extensive coral communities in coastal eastern Australia. The East Australian Current transports the coral larvae from the warm tropical waters, and with 90 reported species, there are approximately quarter of the species recorded on
429-543: Is followed by fruit which is a follicle composed of up to four sections joined at the base and which burst open to release their seeds when ripe. Zieria prostrata was first formally described in 1996 by James Andrew Armstrong in Australian Native Plants: propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping . The specific epithet ( prostrata ) is a Latin word meaning "down flat" or "laid low". This zieria grows in low coastal heathland on headlands in
SECTION 10
#1732801682600468-485: Is managed by National Parks and Wildlife Service who aim to help the species recover sufficient numbers. Wedge-tailed shearwaters ( Puffinus pacificus ), called Muttonbirds by early settlers, migrate to the Philippines , but return annually to a major breeding site at Muttonbird Island , on the southern boundary of the Marine Park. There are over 5500 breeding pairs on Muttonbird Island, but breeding occurs on some of
507-493: Is managed by the NSW Maritime Parks Authority and is split into 4 management zones: Sanctuary zones (12%) which provide the highest level of environmental protection, with all fishing activities prohibited. Habitat protection zones (54%) allow for many recreational activities such as fishing but provides a high level of environmental protection. General use zone (34%) allows commercial fishing as well as
546-429: Is only known from four headlands and is classified as an endangered species. Zieria prostrata is a prostrate or low, scrambling shrub with glabrous , ridged branches and which grows to a height of 0.5–1 m (2–3 ft). Its leaves are composed of three narrow oval leaflets with the middle leaflet 10–16 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide and the others smaller. Both surfaces of
585-821: The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia , at 350,000 km² until 2010, when the United Kingdom announced the opening of the Chagos Marine Park or Chagos Archipelago . Although for many uses it is sufficient to designate the boundaries of the marine park and to inform commercial fishing boats and other maritime enterprises, some parks have gone to additional effort to make their wonders accessible to visitors. These can range from glass-bottomed boats and small submarines , to windowed undersea tubes. In New Zealand
624-435: The Marine Parks Act 2007 (SA) : The state of Victoria has protected approximately 5.3% of coastal waters. In June 2002, legislation was passed to establish 13 Marine National Parks and 11 Marine Sanctuaries. Victoria is the first jurisdiction in the world to create an entire system of highly protected Marine National Parks at the same time. Additional areas are listed as Marine Parks or Marine Reserves, which provides
663-502: The South Solitary Island Historic Site which covers 11 hectares and incorporates the lighthouse and keepers cottages built in 1879. Prior to European settlement, none of these islands had been inhabited, burned or subject to grazing animals. A fragile balanced ecology had built up over centuries. The coastal areas adjoining the Marine Park are high in species richness and endemism and the waters around
702-715: The Australian Pied Oystercatcher ( Haematopus longirostris ), Sooty Oystercatcher ( H. fuliginosus ) and Beach Stone-curlew ( Esacus magnirostris ) are local shorebirds that breed in the Marine Park. It also periodically hosts three endangered marine birds, Gould’s Petrel ( Pterodroma leucoptera ), Wandering Albatross ( Diomedea exulans ) and Southern Giant Petrel ( Macronectes giganteus ). Endangered Little Terns ( Sternula albifrons ) breed on beaches north and south of Coffs Harbour, between October and February, before departing on their annual migration to eastern Asia. A Little Tern Recovery Program
741-581: The Great Barrier Reef. Even though the Marine Park is a protected zone, commercial fishing and recreational activities such as fishing, crabbing, boating and scuba diving are allowed in some zones of the park. Environmental threats to the Solitary Islands Marine Park may include pollution, introduced predators, oil spills, humans, dredging, sewage outfalls, shipping, marine debris , and tourism. Introduced pests such as
780-504: The Marine Park include freshwater and marine ecosystems as well as, mangroves and saline communities, frontal dune and foreshore communities and exposed high dune sand systems. Millar (1990), records 119 species of Red Algae from the Coffs Harbour Region, including 22 which were new records for Australia, and Dictyothamnion (D. saltatum) constituting a new genus. Mangroves are found in sheltered estuarine environments in
819-489: The Mediterranean Sea where no coastal point is farther than 200 nautical miles from waters under another jurisdiction. The trans-frontier structure of such 'Peace' Parks puts this problem aside, encouraging the local Governments involved to join forces in the pursuit of a cause higher than their national interest without prejudice to current national claims . Greenpeace is campaigning for the "doughnut holes" of
SECTION 20
#1732801682600858-643: The Pacific Oyster ( Crassostrea gigas ) and the Crown-of-thorns starfish ( Acanthaster planci ) are occasionally recorded in the area. Introduced domestic animals on South Solitary Island during the days of lighthouse keepers, destroyed the natural vegetation, and eroded topsoil, which in turn caused the nesting Wedgetail shearwaters’ burrows to collapse. An accidental fire on South West Solitary Island , caused by fishermen, destroyed much vegetation, killing nesting birds and their eggs. Due to
897-414: The Park, and are located within the sanctuary zone around Northwest Rock, North Solitary Island , North West Solitary Island , South West Solitary Island (Groper Is.), Split Solitary Island, South Solitary Island and Surgeons Reef. 30°12′06″S 153°16′03″E / 30.20167°S 153.26750°E / -30.20167; 153.26750 Marine park The largest marine park used to be
936-599: The Park, with green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ), loggerhead turtle ( Caretta caretta ), hawksbill turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) and occasional sightings of leatherback turtles. Nesting green turtles and loggerhead turtles have been recorded on several beaches, with some eggs hatching successfully. Only a few species of sea snakes have been recorded in the region, including the Elegant sea snake ( Hydrophis elegans ) and Yellow-bellied sea snake ( Pelamis platurus ). The only reptile recorded on Muttonbird Island since 1969
975-723: The Ruddy Turnstone ( Arenaria interpres ), breed in Siberia, Alaska or the Arctic. Raptors such as the White-breasted Sea-eagle ( Haliaeetus leucogaster ) Brahminy kite ( Haliastur indus ) and Osprey are often seen hunting for fish in the Marine Park, and waterbirds such as herons and egrets ( Egretta spp ), as well as sacred kingfishers ( Todiramphus sanctus ), are regularly seen in the estuaries. Around 30 species of marine mammals have been recorded in
1014-421: The Solitary Islands Marine Park. The area around Pimpernel Rock, at the northern end of the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters) is favoured by the endangered Grey nurse shark ( Carcharias taurus ), who has a preference for gutters in reefs and submarine caves. However the most significant habitat for the grey nurse shark in the Marine Park is South Solitary Island, though they do occur throughout
1053-633: The Solitary Islands and noted their position in his journal, “Between 2 and 4 we had some small rocky Islands between us and the land the southernmost lies in the Latitude of 30°10' and the northernmost in 29°58' and about 2 Leagues or more from the land.” He named them the "Solitary Isles" on his chart. The Solitary Island Marine Park contains a diverse range of habitats including intertidal and subtidal reefs, soft sediments, beaches, seagrass beds, mangroves, saltmarsh and open waters, which support
1092-486: The Solitary Islands are strongly influenced by the warm East Australian Current . The continental shelf of northern NSW lies at the juncture of tropical and temperate oceanographic regions, and the sea temperature patterns within the Solitary Islands region explains the cross-shelf gradients in biotic patterns. Both tropical and temperate faunas overlap here, and for many species the Marine Park may represent either their northern or southern limits. Vegetation types in
1131-511: The area as they migrate north to their breeding grounds in June and July, and then again between September and November when they return south, Southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis ) and Blue whales ( Balaenoptera musculus ). At the edge of the marine park, the endangered Little Bent-wing Bat, ( Miniopterus australis ) roost in caves on the Moonee Beach headland. While there was
1170-597: The fragmented nature of maritime governance in international waters, the poor enforcement of existing regulations in the High seas, plus the difficult co-management that would be required of countries often in conflict. How to circumvent such obstacles? In 2011, based on unique biological, geological and oceanographic features, the Mediterranean Science Commission proposed the creation of eight large international, coast-to coast "Marine Peace Parks" in
1209-2408: The headlands, include Carpet Star ( Zieria prostrata ), which is endemic to the Coffs Harbour region, ( Plectranthus cremnus ) and Austral Toadflax ( Thesium austral ). North Solitary Island : Pigface ( Carpobrotus glaucescens ), Couch grass ( Cynodon dactylon ), Summer grass ( Digitaria sanguinalis ), Wandering Jew ( Commelina cyanea ), Coast Morning Glory ( Ipomoea cairica ), Yellow-flowered Oxalis ( Oxalis corniculata ) and Saltbush ( Ragodia hastata ). North-West Solitary Island : Pigface, Saltbush, Prickly Couch ( Zoisia macrantha ), Wandering Jew, Coast Morning Glory are predominant species. South-West Solitary Island : Pigface, Wandering Jew, Variable groundsel ( Senecio Lautus ), New Zealand Spinach ( Tetragonia tetragonioides ), Climbing Saltbush ( Rhagodia nutans ), Tuckeroo ( Cupaniopsis anacardioides ), Prickly Couch, Dusky Coral Pea ( Kennedia rubicunda ), and Shore Spleenwort ( Asplenium obtusatum ). South Solitary Island : vegetation consists mainly of grasses including Prickly couch, Whiskey grass ( Andropogon virginicus ), Durrington grass ( Axonopus affinis ), Slender mudgrass, ( Pseudoraphis paradoxa ) and Buffalo grass ( Stenotaphrum secundatum ). Birdie (small islet at northern end of South Solitary Island): Wandering Jew, Coast Morning Glory, New Zealand Spinach, Coastal yellow Pea ( Vigna marina ), Pennywort ( Hydrocotyle acutiloba ) and Pigweed ( Portulaca oleracea ). Split Solitary : Climbing Saltbush, Variable Groundsel, Pigface, Wandering Jew, Coastal Yellow Pea and Sword Bean ( Canavalia maritima ). Korfs Islet : Pigface, Prickly couch, Summer grass ( Digitaria ciliaris ), Ruby saltbush ( Enchylaena tomentosa ) and Sea purslane ( Sesuvium portulacastrum ). Muttonbird Island : Pigface, Tuckeroo, Wandering Jew, Dusky Coral Pea, Prickly couch, Weeping grass ( Microlaena stipoides ), Lantana ( Lantana camara ), Flax Lily ( Dianella caerulea ), Bull Cane ( Flagellaria indica ), and introduced Spiny burr grass ( Cenchrus caliculatus ) which have spread. Seabirds , shorebirds , waders , waterfowl and raptors depend on marine and estuaryine habitats. The Solitary Islands are an important breeding area for marine birds such as Osprey ( Pandion cristatus ), while threatened species such as
Solitary Islands Marine Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-590: The leaf are the same colour, dotted with oil glands and glabrous, with a stalk 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. The flowers are pink in the bud stage but turn white as they open. They are arranged in groups of mostly 3 to 7 (sometimes up to 32) in leaf axils and the groups are usually much shorter than the leaves. The four sepal lobes are about 0.5 mm (0.02 in) long, the four petals are 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and in common with other zierias, there are only four stamens . Flowering mainly occurs from late August to late September or October and
1287-503: The north. It includes coastal estuaries and lakes and extends from the mean high water mark, to three nautical miles out to sea, covering an area of around 72,000 hectares. There are five main islands in the Park, North Solitary Island , North West Solitary Island , South West Solitary Island (Groper Island), South Solitary Island and Split Solitary Island, as well as other significant outcrops such as Muttonbird Island and submerged reefs. On 15 May 1770, Lieut. James Cook sailed past
1326-493: The other islands as well. Other breeding birds recorded on the islands include Little Penguins ( Eudyptula minor ), Black-winged Petrel ( Pterodroma nigripennis ), Silver Gulls ( Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae ) and Crested Tern ( Sterna bergii ). Migratory shorebirds that spend the summers at the Marine Park, like the Bar-tailed Godwit ( Limosa lapponica ), Eastern Curlew ( Numenius madagascariensis ) and
1365-515: The park. The Great white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias ) is also seen around Pimpernel Rock. There are many species of reef fish in the Park, including snapper ( Pagrus auratus ), tusk fish ( Choerodon venustus ), blue morwong ( Nemadactylus douglasii ) and pearl perch ( Glaucosoma scapulare ) as well as pelagic species such as kingfish ( Seriola lalandi ) that are attractive to commercial and recreational fishermen. Commercial fishing fleets operate from Coffs Harbour and Wooli . The area on
1404-474: The region, including the Short-beaked common dolphin ( Delphinus delphis ) and bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncates ) who are residents throughout the year. Of particular interest in the Marine Park and Reserve are those species listed as threatened and subject to national and international conventions. These mammals include humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ), who are commonly encountered in
1443-525: The rocky nature of the area, a number of ships were wrecked on the northern NSW coast. This led to the construction of a series of lighthouses, with the South Solitary Island lighthouse being completed in 1870. During the 1960s and 70s many of the beaches were affected by sand mining . Litter in marine environments is a threat to seabirds, causing entanglement or ingestion of debris, often leading to death. The Solitary Island Marine Park
1482-507: The western pacific to be declared as marine reserves. They are also campaigning for 40 percent of the world’s oceans to be protected as marine reserves. The Australian Government manages an estate of marine protected areas (MPA) that are Commonwealth reserves under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ( EPBC Act ). As of December 2013, the following marine parks have been declared under
1521-620: The western side of North West Rock (off North Solitary Island ) is known as "Fish Soup” and has a very high diversity of fish. Tropical predators like spangled emperor ( Lethrinus nebulosus ), bigeye trevally ( Caranx sexfasciatus ), mangrove jack ( Lutjanus argentimaculatus ), moses perch ( Lutjanus russellii ) and brown sweetlip ( Plectorhinchus gibbosus ) occur with mulloway ( Argyrosomus japonicus ), snapper, red morwong ( Cheilodactylus fuscus ), silver trevally ( Pseudocaranx georgianus ), bream ( Acanthopagrus spp.) and tarwhine ( Rhabdosargus sarba ). Marine turtles are common in
#599400