Western Eyre Marine Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western Eyre Marine ParkAustralia |
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 Western Eyre Marine Park
Location in Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Streaky Bay, South Australia |
| Established | 8 December 2012 |
| Area | 57,946 km2 (22,373.1 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Director of National Parks |
| Website | Western Eyre Marine Park |
| Footnotes | Coordinates Nearest town |
The Western Eyre Marine Park is a special ocean area in Australia. It used to be called the Western Eyre Commonwealth Marine Reserve. This park helps protect the amazing sea life and habitats in the Great Australian Bight.
The Great Australian Bight is a huge bay off the southern coast of South Australia. The marine park is located in waters that are part of Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone. This means Australia has special rights over these waters and their resources.
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About the Western Eyre Marine Park
The Western Eyre Marine Park was officially created in November 2012. It is a very important part of Australia's efforts to look after its marine environments. This park is one of many Australian marine parks that work together.
It belongs to a larger group of protected areas called the South-West Marine Park Network. This network helps protect a wide range of ocean ecosystems. The Western Eyre Marine Park is located just east of another big protected area, the Great Australian Bight Marine Park.
Different Zones in the Park
The Western Eyre Marine Park is divided into three main areas, or "zones." Each zone has different rules about what activities are allowed. This helps to balance protecting nature with allowing people to use the ocean responsibly.
Marine National Park Zone
This zone is the most protected part of the park. It covers three separate areas of the ocean. It is classified as IUCN Category II. This means it's like a national park, but in the ocean! In these areas, the main goal is to protect the natural environment and its wildlife. Activities like fishing are usually not allowed here. This zone covers about 17,439 square kilometres.
Multiple Use Zone
This zone is classified as IUCN Category VI. In a Multiple Use Zone, some activities are allowed, but they must be done in a way that doesn't harm the environment too much. This might include certain types of fishing or tourism, as long as they are sustainable. This zone covers about 16,107 square kilometres.
Special Purpose Zone
The Special Purpose Zone is also classified as IUCN Category VI. This zone allows for specific activities that might be important for the local community or for research. The rules here are designed to make sure these activities can happen while still protecting the marine environment. This zone is the largest, covering about 24,400 square kilometres.
By having these different zones, the Western Eyre Marine Park helps to keep the ocean healthy for future generations. It protects amazing creatures and their homes, while also allowing people to enjoy and use the ocean in a careful way.
