Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve

Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve is a 6,123 km2 marine protected area within Australian waters located in the Southern Ocean[2] near the South Australia-Victoria border. The reserve was established in 2007[3] and is part of the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network.

Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Map showing the Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve
LocationIndian Ocean, Australia
Nearest townPort Macdonnell, South Australia
Coordinates39.31°S 139.85°E / -39.31; 139.85[1]
Area6,123 km2 (2,364 sq mi)
EstablishedAugust 31, 2007 (2007-08-31)
Governing bodyParks Australia (Commonwealth of Australia)
environment.gov.au/topics/marine/marine-reserves/south-east/nelson

The reserve spans deepwater ecosystems (below 3,000 m (9,800 ft)) and encloses geological features including plateaus, knolls, canyons and the abyssal plain. It is an important migration area for humpback, blue, fin and possibly sei whales.[4]

Protection

The entirety of the Nelson marine reserve area is IUCN protected area category VI and is zoned as 'Special Purpose'.[4]

Zone IUCN Activities permitted Area
(km2)
Recreational fishing Commercial fishing Mining
Special Purpose VI Yes No with approval 6,123
[Note 1]

See also

Notes
  1. Summary of permitted activities only, see source for details[5]

References
  1. "Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve on OpenStreetMap". openstreetmap.org. © OpenStreetMap contributors. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  2. See Southern Ocean and Indian Ocean regarding differing recognitions of the boundaries
  3. "Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2014 - Marine". environment.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  4. "Nelson Commonwealth Marine Reserve". environment.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  5. "South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network - Zoning and activities". environment.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
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