Lower South East Marine Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lower South East Marine Park South Australia
Mounce and Battye Rocks are located within the marine park
Lower South East Marine Park Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Mount Gambier
Established	29 January 2009
Area	360 square kilometres (140 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Department of Environment and Water
Website	Lower South East Marine Park

The Lower South East Marine Park is a special area in the ocean off the coast of South Australia. It's a protected place where marine life is kept safe. This park is located in the southeastern part of South Australia, right next to the border with Victoria.

Where is the Park?

This marine park is made up of two main sections. It stretches from the shoreline out into the ocean. The park covers about 360 square kilometers (about 139 square miles) of water.

• One part goes from Cape Buffon in the northwest down towards Cape Banks. This section is next to the Canunda National Park on land.
• The second part is mostly in Discovery Bay. It starts near Port MacDonnell and goes all the way to the border with Victoria. This section also touches the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park.

Park History

The Lower South East Marine Park was officially created on January 29, 2009. It was set up under a special law called the Marine Parks Act 2007. A few months later, on July 23, 2009, its exact boundaries were slightly changed.

Protecting the Ocean: Park Zones

To help manage and protect the marine environment, the park is divided into different zones. Each zone has different rules to make sure the ocean's plants and animals are safe. These zones also allow for some activities that don't harm the environment.

• Sanctuary Zones: These are like super-protected areas, found next to the Canunda National Park and the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park. In these zones, it's against the rules to remove or harm any plants, animals, or other marine products.
• Habitat Protection Zones: In these areas, activities are allowed only if they don't harm the homes of marine creatures or the way the ocean's ecosystems work.
• General Managed Use Zones: These zones allow for activities that use the ocean's resources in a way that is good for the environment and can be continued for a long time.
• Special Purpose Areas: These are smaller areas with specific rules. For example, one area near Cape Buffon is for harbor activities. Another area near the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is for fishing from the shore for fun.

International Recognition

In 2016, the Lower South East Marine Park was recognized by an international group called the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They have a system to classify protected areas around the world.

• The Sanctuary Zones in the park are like National Parks (IUCN Category II).
• The Habitat Protection Zones are like areas managed for specific plants or animals (IUCN Category IV).
• The General Managed Use Zones are areas where natural resources can be used in a way that helps them last (IUCN Category VI).