Parks Victoria - Annual Report 2009-10

HEALTHY PARKSMarine pestsA number of new species of marine pests werereported within or adjacent to marine parks. A new redalgae species was identified by community volunteersat Point Cook Marine Sanctuary and Japanese kelp(Undaria pinnatifida) was found in the Apollo BayHarbour, next to the Marengo Marine Sanctuary.In addition, an abalone viral disease (AbaloneGanglioneuritus virus) continued to spread along thewest coast of Victoria causing high mortality in theabalone population.To respond to these threats, Parks Victoria is workingwith DSE to assess distribution, identify possiblecontrol measures and actively engage and educatethe community. Parks Victoria also promoted theimportance of clean equipment and hygienic practicesto visitors to avoid spread of the virus to other areas ofthe state.Marine pest surveys were conducted in Shallow InletMarine and Coastal Park, Ricketts Point, Jawbone, PointCooke and Marengo marine sanctuaries.The Two Baysprogram.Parks Victoria continued its monitoring program inmarine national parks and sanctuaries. Sub-tidal reefmonitoring was undertaken in Cape Howe, PointHicks and Port Phillip Heads marine national parks andintertidal reef monitoring in Bunurong, Port PhillipHeads and Point Addis marine national parks andRicketts Point, Jawbone, Point Cooke, Barwon Bluff,Point Danger and Mushroom Reef marine sanctuaries.Water qualityPoor water quality flowing in from catchments is athreat to marine national parks and marine sanctuaries.Parks Victoria supported the EPA and Melbourne Waterin developing a Better Bays and Waterways plan. Theplan, released in December 2009, identifies a broadrange of actions to improve the water quality enteringPort Phillip and Western Port from urban and ruralareas. It will be implemented over five years with ParksVictoria playing a support role in a number of actions.Monitoring and effectivenessThe Signs of Healthy Parks monitoring programprovides Parks Victoria with an understanding ofthe health of parks, evaluates the effectivenessconservation programs and provides early warning ofemerging threats.The program was initiated in 2007-08 at six parks:Brisbane Ranges, Grampians, Wilsons Promontory andGreat Otway national parks, Plenty Gorge Parklandsand Yaringa Marine National Park. Draft monitoringplans prepared for these parks were refined duringthe year and implementation at the Grampians,Great Otway and Wilsons Promontory national parkscommenced. Roll-out of the second phase of theprogram commenced with draft monitoring plansunderway for the Alpine National Park and Corner InletMarine National Park.18 Parks Victoria - Annual Report 2009-10