South Australian election - a chance for better marine protection!

With the South Australian Election just around the corner, The Wilderness Society SA has joined forces with the Australian Conservation Foundation, Conservation Council SA and Nature Conservation Society of SA, calling on all political parties to commit to marine park sanctuary zones which strictly protect at least 30% of South Australia’s marine habitats. 

	The Wilderness Society's Shen Dycer on Marine Parks in South Australia

Outer Boundaries - A Good Start

Outer boundaries for 19 new multiple-use marine parks covering 44% of State waters were declared in July 2009. This is a great start but without no-take sanctuaries of an adequate size, South Australia’s marine parks will be little more than pretend protected areas which allow business as usual to continue unabated.

Next Step ... Zoning Plans

Zoning plans for South Australia’s new marine parks will be developed over the next 12-18 months.  We now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help secure a healthy future for South Australia’s coasts and oceans. 

How do YOU use the marine environment? What areas would YOU like to see protected?

The State Government is asking the South Australian community to get involved in the zoning process via an online mapping tool called SAMPIT (South Australia’s Marine Parks Information Tool).  SAMPIT is a simple step-by-step process designed to help the community map the ways it uses the marine environment and to identify places needing protection.  The information inputted into SAMPIT will help the Government decide where marine park zones should go.

Marine park opponents are urging recreational and commercial fishers to swamp SAMPIT with information about their local fishing spots in an attept to rule-out sanctuary zones being declared along much of the State's coastline. It is equally vital that supporters of marine parks identify areas needing protection as well as areas that are important to you for non-extractive recreational activities like snorkelling, diving, surfing, bird-watching and even just a walk along the beach. 

Have Your Say!

To use SAMPIT on the internet

1. Logon to www.marineparks.sa.gov.au/sampit

2. Fill in your contact details.

3. Select your activity OR identify areas of conservation value.

4. Select a marine park.

5. When the map has zoomed onto the park, select the areas you believe have conservation value.

6. You can also use SAMPIT to identify areas where you enjoy a particular activity.

7. When finished: Select another activity OR select another marine park OR save and exit.

A printable version of SAMPIT can be downloaded from www.marineparks.sa.gov.au or phone 1800 006 120 and ask the marine parks team to post you a copy.

Volunteers Needed ... Can you help?

Right now we need volunteers to help distribute our new marine parks poster & paint fresh new banners plus people who can assist with the co-ordination of upcoming events.  As little as a few hours here and there really helps a lot.  Find out more about how to get involved >>