kids encyclopedia robot

Tasman Fracture Commonwealth Marine Reserve facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Tasman Fracture Commonwealth Marine Reserve
IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
Location Indian Ocean, Australia
Nearest town Melaleuca, Tasmania
Area 42,501 km2 (16,410 sq mi)
Established August 31, 2007 (2007-08-31)
Governing body Parks Australia (Commonwealth of Australia)

Tasman Fracture Commonwealth Marine Reserve is a 42,502 km2 marine protected area within Australian waters located off the coast of south-west Tasmania. It extends to the southerly limits of the Australian exclusive economic zone in the Indian Ocean and encompasses the Tasman Fracture. The reserve was established in 2007 and is part of the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network.

The reserve includes a number of undersea peaks rising to less than 1,500 m (4,900 ft) below the sea surface that provide habitat to deepwater hard corals. The reserve is also habitat to many seabirds, seals and cetaceans, such as dolphins and killer whales. The fauna of this reserve includes subantarctic fishes and seabed invertebrates. Biodiversity within the reserve is influenced by the most easterly extent of the Zeehan Current.

Protection

Most of the Tasman Fracture marine reserve area is IUCN protected area category VI, however there are multiple zoned areas within the reserve with different protection classifications.

Zone IUCN Activities permitted Area
(km2)
Recreational fishing Commercial fishing Mining
Marine National Park II No No No 692
Special Purpose VI Yes No with approval 21,313
Multiple Use VI Yes with approval with approval 20 496
kids search engine
Tasman Fracture Commonwealth Marine Reserve Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.