Incorrect Marine Parks co-ordinates?

Ricky Amer writes:
Well, I'm gunna put me head on the choppin block here cos I could be wrong and I'm sure that I will be told if I am but until then I will put my case forward. OK, it's to do with the GPS co-ordinates regarding the new national park sanctuary in Warrnambool (I fish in Warrnambool). If you look at the brochures provided by Parks Victoria it has a shaded area along the coast line with some gps co-ordinates on the corners of the areas to show you where the new sanctuary exists, however I beleive the GPS co-ordinates are incorrect. IF I am right, by the co-ordinates you can fish in the sanctuary but you can't fish in the middle of the golf course which I am sure won't upset too many people as I dont even think they have a dam let alone any marine life there. IF I am right this is a ridiculous joke that I am having a good laugh about - just picture Bracksy, "Just get those parks happening, get the brochures printed and get the votes happening NOW". And IF I am right and you get caught could you get fined?! I reckon a backyard lawyer would get ya off this one. OK, IF im wrong - well I did put me head on the chopping block so ya all can get a good laugh at me. So it's open slather now, let's see the emails and comments come rolling in (don't send them to me, post them up here www.fishvictoria.com so everyone can see em, if ya email me I will read em but I reckon this would make a good talking point for everyone to see. OK boys (& girls) come and have a piece of me, lol. Regards, etc. Ricky.
(3 December 2002)

Parks Victoria replies:
Parks Victoria can confirm that, in relation to Merri Marine Sanctuary at Warrnambool, the coordinates shown on the Park Note are in latitude and longitude in degrees, minutes and seconds. Some people are incorrectly reading the co-ordinates as degrees, minutes and decimal minutes (the form that is often used on navigation charts) which will give an incorrect location. In the case of Merri Marine Sanctuary, this will move them in the direction of the golf course.
      There are several different ways of presenting geographical coordinates, and there is no single preferred style which will suit all users. Parks Victoria have used degrees, minutes and seconds as it is the simplest base from which to convert the coordinates to other formats.
      To assist the public, Parks Victoria have the coordinates for all the marine national parks and marine sanctuaries in all the commonly used formats on their website www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. If members of the public require assistance, they may call Parks Victoria on 13 19 63, and staff will be able to guide them through what to do.
      See also "Victoria's Marine National Parks & Sanctuaries. How to find them - A GPS Guide" which is in PDF format. (Editor's note: click here for the free Acrobat reader if you do not already have it. The Parks Victoria PDF contains info on how to use the coordinates with your GPS receiver and lists all coordinates in 3 datum formats including WGS-84; Degrees and Decimal Minutes as used on nautical charts; and in Metres.)
Regards
Joseph Mumford
Team Leader Marine Parks & Coastal Programs
Parks Victoria
(4 December 2002)


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