Introduction to the marine environment of undisturbed natural marine habitats, respect cultural heritage values, and be a place of inspiration, enjoyment and renewal for all people. The system will complement our terrestrial protected areas in our world-class system of protected areas. This vision aims to preserve the diversity of our marine environment, its and fauna, its natural beauty, and the diversity of activities that may be enjoyed there. It is a vision that invites all Victorians to become involved, to take pride in our Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries, and to share in their stewardship.’ Contribution of Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary to the statewide system The Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary is significant in the representative statewide system for its ecological values and for its values for underwater recreation and potentially for marine education (ECC 2000). Implications for management The differences and connections in the marine environment mean that Victoria’s Marine National and Marine Sanctuaries must be managed somewhat differently from land environments. Natural, recreational and cultural values may be affected by the use of both land and marine areas some distance away, over which sanctuary managers have no direct control. Impacts on one marine habitat can quickly affect another, and human activities and natural events on land and in the atmosphere can have widespread consequences for the marine environment. Boundaries in the ocean can be difficult to define, and the effects of human activities can be hidden from view. Like the atmosphere, but in contrast to land, the marine environment is a common resource which is rarely in private ownership, and there are few natural or artificial barriers to movement. Many of the strategies used to concentrate the impacts of recreational activities in terrestrial parks (e.g. the creation of walking tracks and picnic areas) are not feasible in the marine context. Conserving historic and cultural places and objects is also a challenge because it is difficult to identify an underwater place or monitor activities that take place on the open sea or under water. Sea Country and cultural association to, or past use of, underwater places which were exposed before the sea level rose must also be considered. The long-term protection of the sanctuary relies on the support and goodwill of the community, together with the help of coastal managers and government agencies. The plan to foster a strong sense of custodianship of the Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary and to strengthen its protection while respecting cultural and community associations with the area.
Abbreviations AAV – Aboriginal Affairs Victoria ANZECC – former Australian and New Zealand FFG – Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic.) JAMBA – Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement Environment and Conservation Council IMCRA – Interim Marine and Coastal Regionalisation for Australia CAMBA – China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement IUCN – World Conservation Union CMA – Catchment Management Authority CSIRO – Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial LCC – Land Conservation Council LTO – Licensed Tour Operator Research Organisation MSV – Marine Safety Victoria Marine Pests NRE – former Department of Natural Resources DIVA – Dive Industry Victoria Association NRSMPA – National Representative System of DSE – Department of Sustainability and Marine Protected Areas Environment PPWPCMA – Port Phillip and Western Port DVC – Department of Victorian Communities ECC – former Environment Conservation Council EPA – Environment Protection Authority EMF – Environmental Management Framework of Catchment Management Authority SDFV – Scuba Divers Federation of Victoria SEPP – State Environment Protection Policy TFMPA – Taskforce for Marine Protected Areas Parks Victoria VCC – Victorian Coastal Council
APPENDIX 1 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES FOR MARINE SANCTUARIES Management objectives for marine national parks and marine sanctuaries included on Schedule 7 or Schedule 8 of the National Parks Act are in Sections 4 and 17D as listed below. For an up-to-date copy of the National Parks Act 1975 (Vic.), refer to Victorian Acts on the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website, 4. Objects of the Act The objects of this Act are— (a) to make provision, in respect of national parks, State parks, marine national parks and marine sanctuaries – for the preservation and protection of the natural environment including wilderness and remote and natural areas in those parks; for the protection and preservation of indigenous flora and fauna and of features of scenic or archaeological, ecological, geological, historic or other scientific interest in those parks; and for the study of ecology, geology, botany, zoology and other sciences relating to the conservation of the natural environment in those parks; and for the responsible management of the land in those parks; to make provision in accordance with the foregoing for the use of by the public for the purposes of enjoyment, recreation or education, and for the encouragement and control of that use. Section 17D Marine national parks and marine sanctuaries (3)(a) The Secretary, subject to this Act will ensure that each marine national park and marine sanctuary is controlled and managed in accordance with the objects of this Act in a manner that will – preserve and protect the natural environment and indigenous flora and fauna of the park and any features of the park which are of geological, geomorphological, ecological, scenic, archaeological, historic or other scientific interest; and promote the prevention of the introduction of exotic flora and fauna into the park; and provide for the eradication or control of exotic flora and fauna found in the park; and subject to paragraph (a) – provide for the use, enjoyment and understanding of Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries by the public; and promote an understanding of the purpose and significance of Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries; and prepare a plan of management in respect of each marine national park and each marine sanctuary.
Portarlington P O R T P H I L L I P 8110 Frankston PORT PHILLIP HEADS MARINE NATIONAL PARK Swan Island Mud Islands Mornington Moorooduc Queenscliff PORT PHILLIP HEADS MARINE NATIONAL PARK Point Nepean National Park Dromana Devilbend Reserve Sorrento Rosebud Mornington Peninsula National 8110 Arthurs Seat Park Honeysuckle Reef Special Protection Zone Mornington Peninsula National Park Flinders W E S T E R N P O R T Cape Schanck MUSHROOM REEF MARINE SANCTUARY Phillip Island Nature Park Seal B A S S S T R A I T Figure 1 0 2.5 5 7.5 Freeway/Highway Major sealed road LOCATION MUSHROOM REEF MARINE SANCTUARY K I L O M E T R E S N Cartography by Spatial Vision 2007 M/7364 Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park Other Parks Waterbody MELBOURNE •
Flinders Golf Course Hang gliding Ramp To Flinders 8ass Stormwater Kennon Cove MUSHROOM REEF MARINE SANCTUARY Figure 2 Major sealed road Minor sealed road Walking track King Street Mornington Peninsula National Park Marine Sanctuary boundary to High Water Mark Mornington Peninsula NP boundary to Low Water Mark Golf Course Ocean Beach Visitor Area Y.._ Y Park Steps Flinders Yacht Club PROH/8/TED AREA .._Y by letter) Platform Stormwater drain Toilet block Carpark Gate Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary Mornington Peninsula National Park Other Reserves .._ West Head Carpark & Lookout Commonwealth Land Flinders Golf Course Reef Mornington Peninsula NP boundary to Low Water Mark Royal Australian Navy West Head Gunnery West Head Recreation Facilities Barbecue Boat ramp Carpark Dogs on leash Fishing Hang gliding Picnic table Playground Scuba Diving Toilets Walking Yacht Club 8 A S S S T R A / T Lookout Park information No Dogs No Fishing 0 150 N M E T R E S 300 Cartography by Spatial Vision 2006 M/7364 MELBOURNE • *