Cod Grounds Marine Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cod Grounds Marine Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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| Location | Australia |
| Area | 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) |
| Established | 10 May 2007 |
| Operator | Parks Australia |
| Website | https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/parks/temperate-east |
The Cod Grounds Marine Park is a special underwater area off the coast of New South Wales, Australia. It's located about 5.5 kilometers (about 3.4 miles) from a town called Laurieton. This marine park covers an area of 4 square kilometers (about 1.5 square miles). It's like an underwater national park, set up to protect important ocean life.
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What is a Marine Park?
A marine park is a protected area in the ocean, much like a national park on land. These areas are created to keep marine animals and their homes safe. They help protect different types of ocean environments, from coral reefs to deep-sea trenches. The Cod Grounds Marine Park is one of eight parks in a group called the Temperate East Marine Parks Network.
Why is Cod Grounds Special?
Cod Grounds Marine Park was created in 2007 for a very important reason: to protect the critically endangered grey nurse shark. These sharks are very rare, and this park is a key spot where they gather. The area has cool underwater "pinnacles," which are like tall, rocky towers under the sea.
But it's not just about sharks! This park is also a vital place for other amazing animals:
- Humpback whales: These giant, gentle creatures use the area as they travel along the coast.
- White sharks: Another important shark species, the white shark, also visits these waters.
- Migratory seabirds: Many different kinds of birds that fly long distances across the ocean also rely on this area.
The park also protects unique underwater ecosystems found in this part of Australia.
A Look Back: History
The Cod Grounds Marine Park was first established on May 10, 2007. Back then, it was known by a slightly different name: the Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve. Later, on October 9, 2017, its name was officially changed to Cod Grounds Marine Park.
How is it Protected?
The Cod Grounds Marine Park is given a special protection level called IUCN category II. This means it's managed as a National Park. In a National Park zone, the main goal is to protect nature and allow people to enjoy it in a way that doesn't harm the environment.
Here's what that means for the Cod Grounds Marine Park:
- Boats can travel through the park.
- Recreational fishing (fishing for fun) is not allowed.
- Commercial fishing (fishing to sell) is not allowed.
- Commercial aquaculture (farming seafood) is not allowed.
- Commercial tourism (like guided tours or diving trips) is allowed, but it needs special approval and cannot involve fishing.
- Mining is not allowed in the park.
These rules help make sure that the grey nurse sharks and all the other amazing marine life in Cod Grounds Marine Park stay safe and healthy for a long time.
