Flinders Commonwealth Marine Reserve

Flinders Commonwealth Marine Reserve is a 27,043km² marine protected area within Australian waters located off the coast of north-east Tasmania. It extends to the outer limits of the Australian exclusive economic zone in the Tasman Sea. The reserve was established in 2007^[2] and is part of the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network.

Flinders Commonwealth Marine Reserve
IUCN category II (national park)
Map showing the Flinders Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Location	Tasman Sea, Australia
Nearest town	Ansons Bay, Tasmania
Coordinates	40.00°S 151.56°E / -40.00; 151.56[1]
Area	27,043 km2 (10,441 sq mi)
Established	August 31, 2007 (2007-08-31)
Governing body	Parks Australia (Commonwealth of Australia)
environment.gov.au/topics/marine/marine-reserves/south-east/flinders

The reserve area contains habitat for lace corals, sea sponges and giant crabs. A prominent feature is a large offshore seamount believed to be too deep to have been fished. Seamounts generally host a wide variety of habitats that support deep ocean biodiversity, the large seamounts to the east of Tasmania are individually important, as they are expected to include endemic species.^[3]

Protection

Most of the Flinders marine reserve area is IUCN protected area category II and zoned as 'Marine National Park'. A small portion near the coast is zoned as 'Multiple Use' (IUCN VI).^[3]

Zone	IUCN	Activities permitted			Area (km2)
		Recreational fishing	Commercial fishing	Mining
Marine National Park	II	No	No	No	25,812
Multiple Use	VI	Yes	with approval	with approval	1,231
[Note 1]

See also

• Australia portal
• Environment portal

• Commonwealth marine reserves
• Protected areas of Australia
• Flinders Island
• Pacific Ocean

Notes

1. Summary of permitted activities only, see source for details^[4]