Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Overview
Summary
| Proclamation date | 28 June 2007 (effective 3 September 2007) |
|---|---|
| Size (current) | 612,300 Ha (6,123 km2) |
| IUCN category | IUCN VI – Special Purpose Zone |
| Biogeographic context | West Tasmania Transition |
| Management plan status | In development Interim management arrangements |
| World Heritage | No |
The Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve takes in 6,123 square kilometres of Commonwealth ocean territory in deep water (below 3,000 metres depth) off the far south-east of South Australia.
Special features
The Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve spans the deep water ecosystems of the major biological zone that extends from South Australia to the west of Tasmania. It encloses geological features including plateaus, knolls, canyons and the abyssal plain (i.e. a large area of extremely flat or gently sloping ocean floor just offshore from a continent). The knoll features provide a rocky substrate above the abyssal plain.
Scientists believe these areas are home to unique fauna, but little is known about what lives on the seabed of this reserve. It is known to be an important area for a number of whale species including the southern right, sperm, minke, killer, pilot and blue.
Also in this section
Existing Commonwealth reserves under the EPBC Act
Marine Protected Areas
Temperate East Marine Region
Coral Sea
North-west Marine Region
South-east Marine Region
- South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network
- Apollo
- Beagle
- Boags
- East Gippsland
- Flinders
- Franklin
- Freycinet
- Huon (incorporating the Tasmanian Seamounts Marine Reserve)
- Macquarie Island
- Murray
- Nelson
- South Tasman Rise
- Tasman Fracture
- Zeehan