Marine Natural Values Study Summary - Parks Victoria

observed in the waters in and aroundthe sanctuary.Major ThreatsMeasures to address or minimise threatsidentified for Merri Marine Sanctuaryform part of the park managementplan. Parks Victoria also uses anadaptive management approachwhich includes periodic reviews ofpriority natural values and threatsthrough processes such as the Stateof the Parks evaluation and settingof desired conservation outcomes.Through these processes Parks Victoriahas identified emerging threats anddeveloped appropriate managementresponses.Serious threats include oil spills,terrestrial inputs of poor water quality,marine pests and diseases, litter anddebris, seismic testing, artificialopening of river mouths andhuman access (e.g. trampling).Evidence of abalone viral ganglioneurituswhich can kill a large proportion ofabalone populations in affected areashas been observed in much of theOtway bioregion including MerriMarine Sanctuary.The introduced algal speciesGrateloupia turuturu, Caulerparacemosa var. cylindracea and Codiumfragile subspecies fragile were alsoRock lobster on subtidal basalt reef. Photo by NRE.recorded in Portland Harbour in 2010and there is some concern abouttheir possible spread.Climate change also poses a seriousmedium to long term threatto natural values. Parks Victoriawill use an adaptive managementapproach to develop responses andactions that focus on priority climatechange issues such as extremeweather events and existing risksthat are likely to be exacerbatedby climate change.Research and MonitoringParks Victoria has established extensivemarine research and monitoringprograms that address importantmanagement challenges for themarine national parks and sanctuaries.These focus on improving baselineknowledge, as well as appliedmanagement questions.Since the establishment of the parksin 2002 our knowledge andunderstanding of natural values andthreats for the system have improvedsignificantly through the marine scienceprogram. Much of the research hasbeen undertaken as part of theResearch Partners Program involvingcollaboration with variousresearch institutions.There are five ongoing research projectsand one habitat mapping project thatare relevant to Merri Marine Sanctuary,while five research projects and twohabitat mapping projects have alreadybeen completed. The sanctuary alsohas an ongoing shallow subtidal reefmonitoring program.While recognising there are stillknowledge gaps Parks Victoria willcontinue to focus on addressingthe information needs that willassist management.For more information, includingmarine habitat mapping products,please see the full versions of theMarine Natural Values reportson www.parks.vic.gov.au.10