Apollo Marine Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Apollo Marine Park |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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| Location | Bass Strait, Australia |
| Nearest town | Apollo Bay, Victoria |
| Area | 1,184 km2 (457 sq mi) |
| Established | 31 August 2007 |
| Governing body | Parks Australia |
The Apollo Marine Park is a special ocean area in Australia. It's located in the Bass Strait, which is the sea between Victoria and Tasmania. This park was created in 2007 to protect its unique underwater environment. It covers a large area of about 1,184 square kilometers, which is bigger than many cities!
A cool part of the park is the Otway Depression. This is a deep underwater valley, about 100 meters deep. It connects the Bass Basin to the open ocean. Long, long ago, during the last ice age, this valley was a river channel. It helped drain a huge ancient lake called Bass Lake.
Protecting the Ocean
The Apollo Marine Park is a protected area. This means it has rules to keep its environment safe. It's listed under a special international category called IUCN VI. This category means the park is managed for many different uses, while still protecting its natural features.
What You Can Do in the Park
The entire Apollo Marine Park is a 'Multiple Use' zone. This means people can enjoy many activities here.
- Recreational fishing is allowed. This is when you fish for fun, not for selling.
- Commercial fishing is also allowed, but only with special permission. This helps manage how much fish is caught.
- Mining can happen, but only with approval. This ensures that any activities don't harm the park's important features.
These rules help balance human activities with the need to protect the marine life and habitats.
Famous Shipwreck
The Apollo Marine Park is also home to a piece of history. The MS City of Rayville is a shipwreck located within the park. It was an American ship that sank during World War II. This was the very first American ship to be sunk during that war.
