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Gascoyne Marine Park facts for kids

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Gascoyne Marine Park
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Location Australia
Area 81,766 km2 (31,570 sq mi)
Established 1 July 2018
Operator Parks Australia
Website https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/parks/north-west

The Gascoyne Marine Park is a special ocean area off the coast of Western Australia. It's located west of the Cape Range Peninsula. This huge park covers about 81,766 square kilometers. That's a really big part of the ocean! Its eastern edge is next to the Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth waters).

The Gascoyne Marine Park is one of 13 parks in the North-west Marine Parks Network. These parks help protect amazing ocean life and habitats. It was once called the Gascoyne Commonwealth Marine Reserve.

Why the Gascoyne Marine Park is Important

This marine park protects many important things in the ocean. It helps keep the marine environment healthy for future generations.

Special Animals and Habitats

  • Whale sharks: This park is a feeding ground for vulnerable whale sharks. These gentle giants are the biggest fish in the ocean.
  • Marine turtles: The park includes areas where marine turtles find food. It's also close to important places where they lay their eggs.
  • Humpback whales: Part of the park is a pathway for protected humpback whales. They use this route when they migrate.

Ocean Floor and Ecosystems

  • The park protects shallow parts of the ocean floor. It also looks after deeper areas like slopes and unique underwater pinnacles.
  • It shows examples of the seafloor habitats found in the Central Western Shelf Transition region. This helps us understand different ocean environments.

History of the Park

The Gascoyne Marine Park was officially created on 14 December 2013. It was given its current name, Gascoyne Marine Park, on 9 October 2017. The rules for managing and protecting the park started on 1 July 2018. This means that from that date, special rules were put in place to keep the park safe.

How the Park is Protected

The Gascoyne Marine Park is given an IUCN category IV. This means it's a "Habitat/Species Management Area." It focuses on protecting specific habitats and species.

Inside the park, there are three different protection zones. Each zone has its own rules to make sure marine life and habitats are safe. These rules help manage activities like fishing or tourism.

Here's a simple look at the different zones and what you can do in them:

Zone IUCN Category Activities Allowed Total Area
(km2)
Moving Through (Vessels) Fishing for Fun Commercial Fishing Farming Seafood Tourism Activities Mining
National Park Zone II Yes No No No some activities allowed with permission No 36,050
Habitat Protection Zone IV Yes Yes most activities allowed with permission with permission with permission No 6,929
Multiple Use Zone VI Yes Yes most activities allowed with permission with permission with permission with permission 108,812
Find out more: Rules for the North-west Marine Parks Network
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