Murat Marine Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Murat Marine ParkAustralia |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Murat Marine Park
Location in Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Fowlers Bay |
| Established | 8 December 2012 |
| Area | 937.77 km2 (362.1 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Director of National Parks |
| Website | Murat Marine Park |
The Murat Marine Park is a special ocean area. It is protected by the Australian government. This park is located in the Great Australian Bight, which is a huge bay south of South Australia. It's west of the Nuyts Archipelago islands. The water here is between 15 and 70 meters deep.
This marine park helps protect important ocean life and habitats. It was first set up in November 2012. Its name was changed to Murat Marine Park on October 11, 2017.
Contents
Discovering Murat Marine Park
Murat Marine Park is part of a larger group of protected areas. These are called the South-west Marine Parks Network. This network helps protect many different parts of Australia's ocean.
What makes this park special?
Murat Marine Park protects unique underwater areas. These include:
- A special area called the "Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition." This is where the ocean floor changes.
- Areas with amazing bottom-dwelling creatures. These are called "benthic invertebrate communities." Invertebrates are animals without backbones, like crabs or sea stars.
- Important places for small fish that swim in open water. These are known as "pelagic fish."
- A hidden underwater reef system. It is called "Yatala Reef."
Home to amazing animals
Many animals use Murat Marine Park for feeding. These include:
- The Australian sea lion, a playful marine mammal.
- The great white shark, a powerful ocean predator.
- The short-tailed shearwater, a seabird that travels long distances.
- The Caspian tern, a large and graceful seabird.
Protecting these areas helps these animals find food and survive.
Protecting Our Oceans
Murat Marine Park is classified as an IUCN Category II protected area. This means it is managed like a national park. The main goal is to protect the ecosystems and recreation. It ensures that the natural environment is kept safe for the future.
