Dampier Marine Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dampier Marine Park |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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| Location | Australia |
| Area | 1,252 km2 (483 sq mi) |
| Established | 1 July 2018 |
| Operator | Parks Australia |
| Website | https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/parks/north-west |
The Dampier Marine Park is a special ocean area off the coast of Western Australia. It's located near a town called Karratha. This park helps protect amazing sea creatures and their homes. It covers a huge area of 1,252 square kilometers. It's one of 13 parks in the North-west Marine Parks Network.
Contents
Why is Dampier Marine Park Important?
This marine park is super important for many reasons. It helps protect different kinds of ocean life and their natural homes.
Protecting Animals and Their Homes
- It's a feeding ground for many migratory seabirds. These birds fly long distances and need safe places to find food.
- It's also a feeding spot for marine turtles. They use areas nearby for nesting.
- Part of the park is a pathway for humpback whales. These giant whales are protected as they travel through the area.
- The park protects important ocean floor areas. These are found next to the Dampier Archipelago.
Protecting Ocean Environments
- The park protects shallow parts of the ocean. The water here is between 15 and 70 meters deep.
- It includes examples of different ocean communities. These are found in the Northwest Shelf Province. This area has unique seafloor habitats.
History of the Park
The Dampier Marine Park was officially created on December 14, 2013. It was first called the Dampier Commonwealth Marine Reserve. On October 9, 2017, its name was changed to Dampier Marine Park. The rules for protecting the park started on July 1, 2018.
How the Park is Protected
The Dampier Marine Park is a protected area. It has different zones inside it. Each zone has its own rules. These rules help protect the ocean habitats and animals.
Here's a simple look at the rules for each zone:
| Zone | IUCN | Activities permitted | Total area (km2) |
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| Vessel transiting | Recreational fishing | Commercial fishing | Commercial aquaculture | Commercial tourism | Mining | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National Park | II | Yes | No | No | No | excludes fishing, with approval | No | 36,050 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Habitat Protection | IV | Yes | Yes | most, with approval | with approval | with approval | No | 6,929 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multiple Use | VI | Yes | Yes | most, with approval | with approval | with approval | with approval | 108,812 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| External link: Zoning and rules for the North-west Marine Parks Network | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- National Park Zone: This zone offers the highest level of protection. You can travel through it in a boat. But you cannot fish here. Most other activities are not allowed.
- Habitat Protection Zone: This zone protects important habitats. You can travel through it. You can also do some recreational fishing. Other activities like commercial fishing might be allowed with special permission.
- Multiple Use Zone: This zone allows for more activities. You can travel through it and fish for fun. Many other activities are allowed here. This includes some commercial fishing and tourism. These activities often need special approval.
