Western Australia’s new South Coast Marine Park is here!
On 5 November 2024, the WA State Government announced the creation of the marine park and final zoning. The announcement follows more than three years of consultation and tens of thousands of letters calling for strong sanctuary protection.
This is an incredibly important marine park, covering a critical stretch of Australia’s Great Southern Reef. The main point is that about 20% of state waters along 1000 km of WA’s south coast from just east of Bremer to the South Australian border will now be fully protected in marine sanctuaries.
Until now, there has been no sanctuary protection in state waters for this richly diverse marine environment – home to spectacular creatures, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Fishermen, Don’t worry. While this new Marine Park covers a vast area, embedded within it are large protions designated “General Use” that allow fishing. These are surround by protected areas that guarantee wildlife can regenerate.
Within this new park are spectacular anchorages.
Archipelago of the Recherche is an amazingly beautiful group of 105 uninhabited islands, with over 1200 obstacles to shipping, stretching 125 NM (230 km) from Esperance to Israelite Bay in the West, and extending up to 40 NM (50 km) offshore. During the French expedition of 1792, the area was named by Bruni d’Entrecasteaux to honour the Rear Admiral’s ship, Le Recherche. And the town of Esperance was named for the other ship of the expedition. Matthew Flinders first explored and charted the islands in 1802 aboard the Investigator.
Cruising Guide online:
WA Israelite Bay to Esperance
Destination Focus – Bass Strait
Deal Island and the Kent Group
The Kent Group
Situated midway across Bass Strait, the Kent Group provide a secure sanctuary of exceptional beauty with excellent fishing, historical relics, and the highest lighthouse above sea-level in the southern hemisphere – a must-see for its stunning panoramic views. All wrapped in such peaceful solitude it creates the perfect hideaway connected to the internet.
Located to the north-west of Tasmania’s Furneaux Group, this complex of three large islands has a deep channel separating the larger Deal Island from Erith and Dover, the two western isles. Care must be exercised when approaching the islands in strong wind against tide conditions, when the passage can be rough at both ends. Our offline sailing guide notes that Murray Pass can have fast currents and dangerous blustery winds funnelling through it.
Further information:
Jack and Jude Blog of May 2016
Navigation information from MAST
An informative article in Forty South magazine by Craig Searle, an eighth-generation Tasmanian who became a Parks and Wildlife Service caretaker after being a teacher for 32 years.
HF coverage is available to Tamar Sea Rescue from Deal Island.
This summer, Jude and I will once again set sail aboard Banyandah, and it will be such a great pleasure to leave behind the hectic, war-torn modern world to once again immerse ourselves in the memories of two young adventurers embarking on one of their greatest journeys.
Wishing you safe journeys and fantastic memories,
Jack and Jude