Mermaid Reef Marine Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mermaid Reef Marine Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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| Location | Australia |
| Area | 540 km2 (210 sq mi) |
| Established | 10 April 1991 |
| Operator | Parks Australia |
The Mermaid Reef Marine Park is a special ocean area in Australia. It's located about 280 kilometers (174 miles) northwest of Broome in Western Australia. This park is part of the Rowley Shoals, a group of amazing coral reefs.
The park covers a huge area of 540 square kilometers (208 square miles). It's managed by Parks Australia and is one of 13 parks in the North-west Marine Parks Network. It was once known as the Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve.
Contents
Why Mermaid Reef is Special
Mermaid Reef Marine Park is super important because of its amazing nature. It's known for its clear waters, beautiful coral, and many different kinds of sea creatures.
Home to Many Animals
This marine park is a vital place for many ocean animals. It provides a safe home and feeding grounds for them.
- Sharks: It's an important area for different types of sharks, including the grey reef shark, the whitetip reef shark, and the silvertip whaler.
- Sea Turtles: Many marine turtles come here to find food.
- Whales and Dolphins: It's a key spot for toothed whales, dolphins, tuna, and billfish.
- Seabirds: Migratory seabirds use the park as a place to rest and find food during their long journeys.
Amazing Coral and Ocean Life
Mermaid Reef is famous for its healthy coral and diverse marine life.
- Pristine Corals: The reef has over 200 species of hard coral and 12 types of soft coral. These coral formations are in excellent condition.
- Unique Reefs: Along with the nearby Rowley Shoals Marine Park, Mermaid Reef shows some of the best examples of "shelf atolls" in Australia. These are special ring-shaped coral reefs that grow on the edge of the continental shelf.
- Seafloor Habitats: The park also protects important seafloor habitats that are part of the Northwest Transition ocean region.
History of the Park
The Mermaid Reef Marine Park has been protected for a long time.
- First Protection: It was first created on April 10, 1991. Back then, it was called the Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve.
- New Name: In 2013, it became a Commonwealth Marine Reserve. Then, on October 9, 2017, it was officially renamed the Mermaid Reef Marine Park.
How the Park is Protected
The entire Mermaid Reef Marine Park is a National Park zone. This means it has the highest level of protection to keep its natural environment safe.
Rules for the Park
The park is managed to protect its special features. Here's a simple look at what's allowed:
| 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 | 540 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| External link: Zoning and rules for the North-west Marine Parks Network | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
