Freycinet Commonwealth Marine Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Freycinet Commonwealth Marine Reserve |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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| Location | Tasman Sea, Australia |
| Nearest town | Bicheno, Tasmania |
| Area | 57,942 km2 (22,372 sq mi) |
| Established | August 31, 2007 |
| Governing body | Parks Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) |
The Freycinet Commonwealth Marine Reserve is a very large protected area in the ocean. It's found off the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, in the Tasman Sea. This special area helps protect marine life and habitats.
The reserve covers a huge space of 57,942 square kilometers. That's about 86% of the land area of Tasmania! It stretches out to the very edge of Australia's special ocean zone, called the Exclusive Economic Zone. The Freycinet Reserve was created in 2007. It is part of a bigger group of protected areas known as the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network. In fact, it's the biggest reserve in that network.
Deep inside the reserve, there are several large underwater mountains called seamounts. Scientists believe these seamounts are so deep that no one has ever fished on them. Seamounts are like underwater islands. They are home to many different kinds of habitats and support a wide variety of deep ocean creatures. The large seamounts near Tasmania are especially important. They are expected to have unique species that live nowhere else on Earth, known as endemic species.
Closer to the surface, the shallower parts of the reserve are important homes for seabirds. You might also find Great white sharks looking for food in this area.
Protecting the Ocean
Most of the Freycinet marine reserve is a highly protected area. It falls under a category called IUCN protected area category II. This means it's managed mainly to protect its ecosystems and for recreation.
The reserve is divided into different zones. Each zone has different rules about what activities are allowed. This helps to balance protecting the environment with allowing some human activities.
- Marine National Park Zone: This is the most protected part of the reserve. It covers 56,793 square kilometers. In this zone, no recreational fishing, commercial fishing, or mining is allowed. It's like a national park, but underwater!
- Recreational Use Zone: This smaller zone, 323 square kilometers, allows some activities. You can do recreational fishing here, but commercial fishing and mining are not allowed.
- Multiple Use Zone: This zone is 826 square kilometers. It allows recreational fishing. Commercial fishing and mining might be allowed, but only with special approval. This zone balances protection with some economic activities.
