Marmion Marine Park management Plan - Department of ...

26.0 RESEARCH AND MONITORINGRESEARCH AND MONITORING GOALSeek a better understanding of the natural and cultural environment and the impacts of visitor useand management activities.The implementation of research and monitoring programs is pivotal to improving ourunderstanding of the interactions between oceanographic and biological processes occurring in thePark. The impacts that recreational and commercial uses have on natural resources and on eachother, and their potential for expansion without conflict, are fundamental issues in management ofthe Park and economic development of the region. Research will be programmed and ongoing, anddesigned to fill gaps in knowledge.Priority will be given to management-orientated research and monitoring programs. Research whichinvolves unwarranted manipulation or destruction of natural resources will not be permitted.Actions1. Continue research into the interactions between ecological and oceanographicprocesses of the Park. Sanction all research programs by permit.2. Ensure fish populations are monitored to ensure a sustainable fishery. Liaise withthe Fisheries Department.3. Monitor and periodically conduct special surveys of recreational and commercialuse, and the impacts of this use, in and adjacent to the Marine Park.4. Implement monitoring programs to determine the maintenance or replenishment ofhabitat and species diversity in Sanctuary Zones as compared to Recreation andGeneral Use Zones.5. Support research projects carried out within the Park by other agencies to the levelof available resources.58