Zeehan Commonwealth Marine Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zeehan Commonwealth Marine Reserve |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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| Location | Indian Ocean, Australia |
| Nearest town | Currie, Tasmania |
| Area | 19,897 km2 (7,682 sq mi) |
| Established | August 31, 2007 |
| Governing body | Parks Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) |
The Zeehan Commonwealth Marine Reserve is a special underwater park off the coast of Tasmania, Australia. It's a huge area, about 19,897 square kilometers, which is bigger than many cities! This marine reserve was created in 2007 to help protect the ocean and the amazing creatures that live there. It stretches from the west coast of Tasmania all the way up towards King Island.
This important reserve is part of a bigger group of protected areas called the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network. These networks help keep Australia's ocean environments healthy for the future.
What's Special About the Zeehan Reserve?
The Zeehan Marine Reserve is home to many different types of underwater places. You can find areas with exposed limestone on the seabed. These rocky areas are like underwater neighborhoods for many kinds of fish. They provide safe places to live and find food.
The water here also goes from being quite shallow to very deep. Near the coast, the water is about 50 meters deep. This is called the continental shelf. But as you go further out, the ocean floor drops down to over 3,000 meters deep! This super deep part is known as the abyssal plain. This wide range of depths means many different animals can live here.
Amazing Animals of the Reserve
The reserve is a vital home for many sea creatures. It's especially important for different types of fish that people catch for food. One very cool resident is the Tasmanian giant crab. These crabs are truly enormous! Protecting their home helps make sure they can continue to thrive.
How the Reserve is Protected
The entire Zeehan Marine Reserve is a protected area. It falls under a special category called IUCN Category VI. This means it's managed to protect its natural features while also allowing some activities that are carefully controlled.
The reserve has two main zones, each with slightly different rules:
- Special Purpose Zone: This is the largest part of the reserve, covering 18,967 square kilometers. In this zone, you can go recreational fishing (fishing for fun). Commercial fishing (fishing to sell) is not allowed here. Mining is generally not allowed, but in some very specific cases, it might be permitted with special approval.
- Multiple Use Zone: This smaller zone is about 933 square kilometers. Here, recreational fishing is also allowed. Commercial fishing and mining might be allowed, but only with special permission and strict rules to protect the environment.
These zones help balance protecting the ocean with allowing people to enjoy and use the marine environment responsibly.
