INTRODUCTION The Victorian marine and coastal environment is PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGY an area recognised for its outstanding natural beauty, unique and diverse marine biota and The purpose of the Strategy is to provide strategic valuable resources. It offers significant natural, guidance to managers, planners, researchers and cultural, social and economic values to all the community about the implementation of the Victorians and visitors to this State. Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries. It draws The Victorian Government is committed to on State legislation and policy, and national and ensuring that the values of the marine and coastal international best practice principles and guidelines environment are protected for future generations for the management of highly protected Marine through policies that provide for a balance of National Parks. The Strategy also encourages ecologically sustainable uses. involvement of the community and integration with existing government programs and initiatives. In June 2002, historic legislation was passed to establish 13 Marine National Parks and 11 Marine Emphasis in the Strategy has been placed on Sanctuaries. Victoria is the first jurisdiction in the appreciating the diversity of values associated with world to create an entire system of highly highly protected Marine National Parks and protected Marine National Parks at the same time. Sanctuaries, key challenges and how they will be This Strategy applies to all highly protected Marine addressed. Key Performance Areas for the National Parks and Sanctuaries in Victoria, and Strategy are grouped under the following themes: has been prepared Protecting Natural Values to provide clear and consistent direction for planning and management programs over the next Protecting and Recognising Cultural Values eight years. This period allows three years to Community Engagement produce management plans for these areas. The Recreation, Tourism and Visitor Management plans will remain in place for at least five years, at which time the need for a review will be Environmental Research and Monitoring. considered. Common purple urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma. (Photography Matt Edmunds). Cowrie snail Cypraea comptoni. (Photography William Boyle).
INTRODUCTION The Victorian marine and coastal environment is an area recognised for its outstanding natural beauty, unique and diverse marine biota and valuable resources. It offers significant natural, cultural, social and economic values to all Victorians and visitors to this State. The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that the values of the marine and coastal environment are protected for future generations through policies that provide for a balance of ecologically sustainable uses. In June 2002, historic legislation was passed to establish 13 Marine National Parks and 11 Marine Sanctuaries. Victoria is the first jurisdiction in the world to create an entire system of highly protected Marine National Parks at the same time. This Strategy applies to all highly protected Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries in Victoria, and has been prepared to provide clear and consistent direction for planning and management programs over the next eight years. This period allows three years to produce management plans for these areas. The plans will remain in place for at least five years, at which time the need for a review will be considered. PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGY The purpose of the Strategy is to provide strategic guidance to managers, planners, researchers and the community about the implementation of the Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries. It draws on State legislation and policy, and national and international best practice principles and guidelines for the management of highly protected Marine National Parks. The Strategy also encourages involvement of the community and integration with existing government programs and initiatives. Emphasis in the Strategy has been placed on appreciating the diversity of values associated with highly protected Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries, key challenges and how they will be addressed. Key Performance Areas for the Strategy are grouped under the following themes: Protecting Natural Values Protecting and Recognising Cultural Values Community Engagement Recreation, Tourism and Visitor Management Environmental Research and Monitoring. Common purple urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma. (Photography Matt Edmunds). Cowrie snail Cypraea comptoni. (Photography William Boyle).