FishVictoria.com - National Marine Parks & Marine Sanctuaries in Victoria

National Marine Parks and Marine Sanctuaries in Victoria
(Click here for maps with coordinates)
(Click here for detailed coordinates only)

(NEW: Click here for the Parks Victoria PDF containing info on how to use the coordinates with your GPS receiver and listing all coordinates in 3 datum formats including WGS-84; Degrees and Decimal Minutes as used on nautical charts; and in Metres.)

(Click here for a transcript of the Marine Parks Q&A
from the Fishvictoria Radio Show on 16 November)

In 2001, the Victorian Government accepted the Environment Conservation Council's recommendation that detailed management plans for each of Victoria's 13 Marine National Parks and 11 Marine Sanctuaries be completed over the coming three years. Legislation passed by the Victorian Parliament in June 2002 proclaimed these Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries
as of 16 November 2002.

From 16 November 2002, activities that involve the removal of animals or plants, including fishing, ARE NOT permitted within the boundaries of Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries.

Within the Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries a total ban will apply in relation to all methods of recreational and commercial shore or sea-based fishing including netting, spearing, line fishing, and the use of traps. Penalties will apply to breaches of this protection. There are no penalties for having a fishing boat or fishing equipment within protected waters, provided it is not used within the protected area.

This applies in all Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries with the exception of five areas in which fishing will be allowed to continue until 2004. All existing fishing regulations in these areas will still apply during this period.

The Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuary where fishing is permitted until 1st April, 2004 are:

Discovery Bay Marine National Park
Twelve Apostles Marine National Park
Corner Inlet Marine National Park
Cape Howe Marine National Park
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary (except in the area of the former Point Cook Fisheries Reserve)

Parks Victoria has developed a series of signs and brochures about these marine protected areas to help anglers, and other recreational users, understand what activities are permitted and where. Signage is being erected at approximately 100 locations along the coast, adjacent to access points, boat ramps, car parks and at visitor information centres. Complimentary maps and information sheets for each of the parks will also be widely available from Visitors Information Centres and the Parks Victoria website.

Clear marking of park boundaries will ensure that anglers can identify where they may not fish. However, the diversity and physical nature of the marine environment, particularly along the open coast, poses an impediment to implementing a consistent "in water" marking system. Consequently, boundaries will be marked via a combination of (a) land-based signage and maps at key access points, (b) information sheets with maps (d) in-water navigational aids (e) yellow, triangular, reflective shore markers and (f) the incorporation of park boundaries into navigational charts and publications.

For more detailed information, download the following Parks Victoria Marine Notes:

These Notes are in PDF format and you will need the free Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader to view them. You can download the free reader here.