Australia and New Zealand Region

Regional Initiatives

• The creation of a world class system of regional Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries.

  On 16 November 2002 a representative sample of Victoria’s marine environments was included in a fully protected system of 13 Marine National Parks and 11 Marine Sanctuaries. Marine Protected Areas were chosen to represent the five marine bioregions of Victoria. More than one park and/or sanctuary was usually selected within each bioregion, to reflect as far as possible the range of habitats and biological communities within each.

   

  This was an historic moment for marine conservation because it was the first time in the world that such a representative system had been established by a single jurisdiction. In addition, the new Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries significantly enhance Victoria’s world-class representative parks system.

   

• Sylvia Earle Alliance - Hope Spots

  Hope Spots are special places that are critical to the health of the ocean, Earth's blue heart. Some of these Hope Spots are already protected, while others are important enough that it is imperative that they be protected. About 12% of the land around the world is now under some form of protection (as national parks, world heritage sites, monuments, etc.), while less than one percent of the ocean is protected in any way.

• Explore Underwater VictoriaExplore Underwater Victoria provides an interactive and educational guide to Victoria’s marine protected areas in Australia.