A survey of potential marine reserve locations in Bass Strait

Abstract

The Tasmanian north coast, King Island, and Tasmania's easten Bass Strait Islands were quantitatively surveyed to identify locations suitable for the establishment of regional marine reserves in Bass Strait. This survey included a re-assessment and further investigation of Rocky Cape and the Kent Group, two locations previously proposed as marine reserves. The Kent Group was identified as the most outstanding location surveyed, with a range of habitats and biota representative of Bass Strait, and including a significant proportion of Peronian species. Biologically this location would be the preferred location for a marine reserve in the Peronian influenced region of Tasmania. Rocky Cape was identified as the most biologically suitable location on Tasmania's north coast due to its diverse range of habitats and species abundance. After Rocky Cape, the next two most desirable locations in the Bass Strait region for marine reserves were considered to be Waterhouse Island in northheast Tasmania and New Year Island off the north west coast of King Island.