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Home > Sea Fishing & Aquaculture > The Marine Environment > Simpsons Point Marine Conservation Area

Simpsons Point Marine Conservation Area

The Simpsons Point Marine Conservation Area occupies 573.9 hectares in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel surrounding Simpsons Point, on the northern tip of South Bruny Island.

The reserve encompasses sheltered habitats influenced by relatively cold and dark water currents, which has resulted in an array of interesting and unique habitats and invertebrate communities normally found in deeper waters. Reef habitats off Simpsons Point support seawhip beds, sponges, and animals such as spiny pipehorse (Solegnathus spinosissimus), Tasmanian numbfish (Narcine tasmaniensis), ringed puffer fish (Omegophora armilla), and the rare and endemic seastar (Smilasterias tasmaniae). The area is also a nursery and refuge area for sharks and supports scallop beds and highly localised flora including species such as Schizoseris tasmanica, an endemic red alga.

The area was proclaimed a conservation area under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 on 9 December 2009. This reserve class provides for the protection and maintenance of the natural and cultural values of the area and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Fishing is permitted in the reserve. Rules and regulations relating to recreational fishing in Tasmania can be found in the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide.

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This page - http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/MCRS-7YH86T?open - was last published on 26 March 2013 by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Questions concerning its content can be sent to Internet Coordinator by using the feedback form, by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001, or by telephone.

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