Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park
Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park protects a rich mixing zone of warmer eastern Australian waters and the colder waters of Bass strait to the west. This blending drives high biodiversity and supports many creatures across the park's sheltered bays, subtidal rocky reefs, kelp forests, and intertidal habitats. The coastline features beautiful sandy beaches, granite mountains and cliffs. The deep waters of Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park feature colorful sponge gardens, corals, and abundant fishes. Its diversity of sessile invertebrate communities is comparable to that of the Great Barrier Reef.
Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park is a refuge for great white sharks, humpback and southern right whales, and fur seals. It is considered a significant area for great white shark population recovery in Australia. Twenty-five shore and seabird species of conservation concern have also been sighted in Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park.
Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park was established in November 2002, and it is the largest marine protected area in Australia’s Victoria state. The park is one part of the state system of 13 Marine National Parks and 11 Marine Sanctuaries. These marine protected areas are managed by Parks Victoria’s South Gippsland District management team in partnership with the Environment and Science Division as part of the strategic statewide MPA program. Parks Victoria also works closely with the Victorian Fisheries Authority in undertaking compliance activities, particularly in regard to surveillance for illegal fishing in no-take areas of Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park.
More Information
- Award
- Platinum
- Award Year
- 2018
- Management
- Size
- 156 km²
