Spokesperson for the local diving club, Tony Bramley, said discussions would start taking some constructive form with the release of the designs.

“Now proper consultation can start because we know the exact areas that have been earmarked,” Mr Bramley said.

“I have been working with committee that are closely associated with the Marine Parks Council and we will continue to raise our concerns and issues with relevant authorities where necessary.

“We have been waiting for the design and although this is the initial stage and will go through the consultation process, we have something to work with.”

The design principles that will be a major influence in setting the boundaries of South Australia’s 19 new marine parks by 2010 have been released in conjunction with the newly appointed Marine Parks Council of South Australia’s first meeting which was held on June 23.

Minister for Environment and Conservation, Gail Gago, says the design principles will help explain the selection of marine park areas to the broader community.

“The design principles reflect the latest thinking and international best practice in designing and selecting marine parks,” Ms Gago said.

The plan has taken into account scientific considerations as well as social and economic factors in setting boundaries.

During its inaugural meeting, the Marine Parks Council of South Australia received an overview of the marine parks program and a briefing on the marine park design principles.

In coming meetings the Council will consider and advise on the marine parks outer boundaries as well as possible interim protection orders.

Once declared, South Australia’s marine parks will join more than 5000 marine protected areas located all over the world and will reinforce the State’s commitment to protecting the marine environment.

Information about the design principles is available at: www.environment.sa.gov.au/coasts/marineparks.html

The design principles are summarised below:

1. Take action early to safeguard against possible impacts (the precautionary approach).

2. Protect all features within the environment (comprehensiveness).

3. Be certain protection is effective (adequacy).

4. The system must reflect the variety of our marine life (representativeness).

5. Make sure there are connections and linkages between the parks (connectivity and linkages).

6. Protect features that are more sensitive to change (resilience and vulnerability).

7. Include important and unique features (ecological importance).

8. Seek synergies with existing protected areas.

9. Seek to complement existing terrestrial and marine management practices and conservation agreements.

10. Give consideration to the full diversity of marine users.

11. Respect indigenous interests and culture.

12. Give consideration to cultural heritage.

13. Ensure ease of identification, compliance and enforcement.

14. Provide for education, appreciation and recreation.

Marine design ... Discussing areas marked for marine parks around Whyalla were: (Back, from left) Leanne Burch (DEH), Peter Owen (marine conservation), Prof. Anthony Cheshire (marine science) - Deputy Presiding Member, Trevor Watts (recreational fishing), Peri Coleman (marine conservation), Hagen Stehr AO (aquaculture), Michelle Grady (marine conservation), Dr Hazel Lindsay (marine science), (front) Christian Pyke (commercial fishing), Hon Gail Gago, Susan Stovell (community affairs) - Presiding Member. Absent - Parry Agius (indigenous culture).