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Principles and Methods used to Identify a Bioregional System of Marine Protected Areas in South Australia

¹Baker J., ²Brook J., ²Kildea T., ¹Paxinos R., and ¹von Baumgarten P.

¹Coast and Marine Branch, Department of Environment and Heritage, South Australia
²South Australia Water, South Australia

Theme: TH2

Representing biogeographic regions and their component habitats has been recognised world-wide as a framework to ensure that a Marine Protected Area (MPA) system embraces the range of ecosystems and their component biodiversity. Australia’s coastal and marine environments have been classified by the Interim Coastal and Marine Regionalisation of Australia into around 60 different marine biogeographical regions, or bioregions, based upon distinct combinations of physical and biological features. The goal of South Australian Government’s commitment to the development of a National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA) is to protect areas that represent each of South Australia’s eight marine bioregions, and the habitats and biota they contain. A number of internationally and nationally recognised criteria is being used to identify potential sites for protection. Although ecological principles and criteria form the basis for selecting MPAs in South Australia, important social and economic goals are also being considered. As part of the identification phase, available published and unpublished data has been compiled. Also site-specific information to assist selection, establishment and management of areas will be obtained through comprehensive engagement of community and industry stakeholders during the forthcoming public consultation phase of the program in 2002.