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Bushfire Smart
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The original Point Cooke Marine Reserve, situated on the sheltered sandy shores of north-western Port Phillip, was proclaimed under the Fisheries Act in 1982 and is one of the most prolific areas for marine organisms in the Bay. Since this time, the reserve has protected intertidal and subtidal reef communities south for about 1000 metres along the coast and into Port Phillip. The new Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary covers 290 hectares and is located 10 kilometres east of Werribee, adjoining Point Cooke Coastal Park and including the existing Point Cooke Marine Reserve. The Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, which is protected from the bustle of the suburbs by coastal dunes and adjacent wetlands, consists of a rock platform, isolated boulders, soft sands and mud and supports an array of algae, benthic (bottom dwelling) fauna, invertebrates and fish. The significant wetlands of the adjoining Point Cooke Coastal Park are part of the Port Phillip (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar wetland site.
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Things to Do
Try diving at Point Cooke where you may encounter, amongst other ,marine life, entertaining little fish called Southern Blennies.
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Facilities
The beach picnic area provides public facilities including picnic shelters, free gas barbeques, toilets, change rooms and showers. Carparks and toilets are available for disabled visitors.
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Heritage
Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria
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Fauna
The principal plant on the reef is the bushy brown seaweed, Sargassum, which harbours innumerable tiny animals and plants between its leaf-like fronds. Prickly sea urchins are abundant near crevices, while the exposed sections of rock support a range of life including masses of worm tubes, carpets of anemones and meadows of tufting coralline and filamentous algae. In darker corners, sponges grow plentifully. Small sharks and skates patrol the surrounding eelgrass beds and muddy seafloor, feasting off the bivalves that lie deep in the sediment. In late summer, swarms of jellyfish pulsate over the reefs, clearing the water of the microscopic plants and animals that build up in the nutrient rich environment. Bryozoans, sea stars, ascidians, bivalves, crustaceans, molluscs, sharks, skates and many other species of fish also occur in the area. Geological, Hydrological and Landform Features Point Cooke includes a typical example of the very shallow western shore of Port Phillip, with narrow beaches of sand and mud. The combination of rocky, sandy and muddy habitats present, supports a fascinating range of marine life. Off the coast, a series of low basalt reefs rise from the muddy seafloor, the remains of a larval flow that poured out across the plains thousands of years ago.
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Looking After the Park
For the protection of the marine environment, a number of activities are prohibited within the boundaries of Victoria's marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. No fishing, netting, spearing, taking or killing of marine life. All methods of fishing, from the shore or the sea, are prohibited. As users of the marine environment, you can help minimise your impact on these areas by being mindful of the following points:
- enjoy the marine environment without removing the plants and animals
- minimise your impact while diving and snorkelling by:
- being careful to avoid damage to marine life caused by fins
- developing good skills in buoyancy control
- securing all gauges and pressure hoses to avoid snagging them on objects
- take any rubbish home with you - do not dump rubbish into the sea
- avoid stressing marine life by not chasing or grabbing free-swimming animals
- exercise great care if approached by large marine animals (including birds) & avoid blocking their paths if moving
- take care where you anchor your boat (anchor in sand, rubble or mud, avoiding sensitive areas, and use mooring buoys where provided)
- do not pollute the water with sewage - ensure that if your vessel has an onboard toilet that it has an approved sewage holding facility and that sewage is disposed of appropriately on land
- take the time to learn more about Victoria's marine animals and plants and the habitats they depend upon
Remember, Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries are NO TAKE ENVIRONMENTS. All objects (artefacts), animals eg. fish and crustaceans, plants, and the seabed are totally protected.
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Precautions
For your own safety, only undertake activities appropriate to your skills and abilities. Take all necessary precautions, be aware of changing conditions, and watch for potential hazards, such as rips. A number of Victorian marine animals are potentially harmful if not treated with respect and care, so ensure that you familiarise yourself with these species. Sunburn and hypothermia are also potentially harmful but easily avoided. SCUBA diving is a potentially high risk activity and should only be undertaken by appropraitely qualified people that have completed recognised training and certification. Victoria's cool water environments can be extremely challenging to those used to diving in warmer waters so ensure that local knowledge is sought before undertaking a dive in a new location. Dive charter operators can provide some of the best advice on diving in Victoria.
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Education
Parks Victoria currently runs an educational and interpretive summer program in the adjacent coastal park. Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuaries Resource Kit – This education resources kit contains a comprehensive collection of many materials produced by Parks Victoria in relation to the Marine National Park system including lesson ideas for teachers and links to other resources.
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Nearby Parks
- Cheetham Wetlands
- Jawbone Marine Sanctuary
- Point Cook Coastal Park
- Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park
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Guided Activities
1. Sea Kayaking (B5)
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Publications
Links to other websites 1.
Marine Education Society of Australasia Inc.
2.
Coastlinks Victoria
Brochures 1.
A new guide to Victoria's Parks: Parks Discovery
Park Notes / Maps 1.
Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries
2.
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary
3.
Marine National Parks - Planning
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Marine National Parks - Snorkelling and Diving
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Marine National Parks - Fishing
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Marine National Parks - FAQs
7.
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary - Visitor Guide
Management Plans & Strategies 1.
Minimal Impact Guidelines - Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries (200 kb)
2.
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary Management Plan
Books & DVDs 1.
Victoria's National Parks
2.
Melbourne's Great Outdoors
Boating & Ports Information 1.
Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Coordinates
Marine Natural Values Study - Extracts 1.
Point Cooke MS - Marine Natural Values Study
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