Care for our coastline and marine parks

National Parks and Wildlife Service is raising awareness of the need to protect our precious beaches as locals and tourists prepare to hit the road for summer holidays.

South Australia’s national parks are home to an abundance of native wildlife and vegetation, and include sites considered culturally significant to First Nations people.

Compliance will help better protect our state’s unique biodiversity, and minimise the effect on threatened species of animals, including nesting shorebirds, and plants.

Visitors are encouraged to:

• Leave no trace in parks by bringing garbage bags and taking home litter as bins are not available.
• Keep dogs – except assistance dogs – out of most parks for their own safety but also to minimise the risk to native wildlife, vegetation and other visitors.
• Use gas and liquid fuel fires – apart from on total fire ban days – rather than solid-fuel fires, which are not permitted in most parks.
• Drive on established roads or tracks and avoid unauthorised areas for the safety of all visitors, and to protect sensitive nature and the environment.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Regional Operations Director Stuart Paul said raising awareness would encourage visitors to protect our unique and beautiful coastline.

“Most visitors to our national parks and beaches behave appropriately and want to ensure they adhere to regulations,” Mr Paul said.

“This reminder balances visitor enjoyment with safety and the shared responsibility that ensures our unique and valuable environments are sustainably managed.”

Visitors can use National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Find a Park tool to look for dog-friendly parks and establish where campfires are permitted.

Campers need to bring their own firewood, which must be free from dirt and weeds to avoid bringing pest species into parks. Collection of firewood within parks is prohibited.

Penalties apply for offences in national parks under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

Mr Paul said summer also provided a timely reminder for fishers to be aware of rules for marine parks, particularly the location of sanctuary zones.

“Marine parks sanctuary zones are like national parks in the sea and have a high level of protection due to their conservation value,” Mr Paul said.

“Fishing in a marine parks sanctuary zone is no different to hunting in a national park. It interrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem.

“It is an offence to take or harm any plant or animal within these sanctuary zones, which means fishing is strictly prohibited.”

The maximum penalty for marine park sanctuary zone offences are a $100,000 fine or two years’ imprisonment.

There are numerous tools available to help fishers locate sanctuary zones, including www.marineparks.sa.gov.au and smartphone apps, including SA Fishing and Deckee.

For more information about South Australia’s parks and reserves, and to book, visit: www.parks.sa.gov.au/