News

Tasmania has added to its system of marine protected areas

DPIPWE (2009-12-20 06:11:52)

Tasmania has added to its system of marine protected areas (MPAs) with the creation of 16 new MPAs in south-east Tasmania. The 16 reserves extend over about 12,000ha and cover the range of marine ecosystems found in south-east Tasmania; including rocky reefs, inter-tidal sand flats, seagrass beds, kelp communities, mudflats and offshore reefs and islands.

David Llewellyn, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, said that marine protected areas are an important tool in maintaining ecological balance.

“We need to protect and preserve our marine environment,” Mr Llewellyn said.

“These ecosystems support much of south-east Tasmania’s unique marine life, including several threatened species.”

Fishing will continue to be permitted in these new reserve areas. Rules and regulations relating to recreational fishing in Tasmania can be found in the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide published by DPIPWE.

The new reserve areas are a result of the 2008 Resource Planning and Development Commission’s (RPDC) Inquiry into the establishment of marine protected areas within the Bruny Bio-region.

The Inquiry was undertaken in accordance with the Tasmanian Marine Protected Areas Strategy, which aims to achieve a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine protected areas around the State.


Fourteen of the reserves have been established as conservation areas under the Nature Conservation Act 2002. This reserve class provides for the protection and maintenance of the natural and cultural values of the area and the sustainable use of natural resources. Fishing is permitted in these new conservation areas. Rules and regulations relating to recreational fishing in Tasmania can be found in the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide published by DPIPWE.

Two of the new reserve areas are extensions to the existing Tinderbox and Ninepin Point Marine Nature Reserves. These areas are reserved as nature reserves under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 and the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995. The ‘no take’ fishing restrictions that have applied to these reserves in the past will be extended to the new reserved areas.

For further information go to www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au

[go back...]

Deegan Marine Boat Show this weekend 14 and 15 August : Deegan Marine cash capsule (hourly draw) Fishcare with kids magnetic fishing Live trout display by the Young Anglers development club
Scallop dive fatality off Bruny: A MOONAH man has died while diving for scallops in the d'Entrecasteaux Channel.
Young Tasmanian sailors around the World - Update: Tasmanian sailors Zac Pullen from Hobart and Angus Barton from Launceston are well down the overall standings after the third day of competition in the Laser Radial World Youth Championships being sailed at Largs, Scotland.
Forty boats brave mid-winter on the Derwent: Derwent Sailing Squadron's third race of its Winter Pennants update: Like winter racing anywhere in Australia, the winds cometh and goeth.
26-metre 'Cat Cocos' ferry designed by Incat Crowther: To be built in Tasmania by Richardson Devine Marine, 'Cat Cocos III' will be the third vessel Incat Crowther has designed for the operator.
Team Whistler gaining ground in British Three Peaks: Team Whistler, Australia’s sole entry in the British Three Peaks Race, tonight are steadily gaining ground on the leading UK boats as they sail up the rugged coast of Scotland on the final on-water leg of the challenging combination of short-handed sail
British Three Peaks - Tasmania's Team Whistler win first sailing leg: Team Whistler from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania has won the first sailing leg of the British Three Peaks Race, from Barmouth to Caernarfon in Wales, with its runners started out on the cross country run and steep climb to the top of Mount Snowdon and
Team Whistler leading British Three Peaks race: Hobart yachtsman David Rees and his team face a unique experience in the British Three Peaks Race that starts in Wales tonight – 'taking an ocean racer white water rafting.'
Austal closing Tassie doors: SHIPBUILDER Austal has this morning announced it will close its Tasmanian operations.
The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania – Dramatic women’s sailing regatta: Experienced Hobart yachtswoman Lisa Blackwood today won a hard-fought and, at times, dramatic Sargison Jewellers Tasmanian women’s keelboat regatta on a windswept Derwent River that saw two ‘women overboard’ incidents.