Kent Group Marine Reserve

The marine reserve covers some 29,000ha and the Sanctuary Zone covers the western part of the Kent Group including Dover and Erith Islands and Murray Passage as well as part of the western coast of Deal Island. The marine habitats of the Kent Group include shallow and deep reefs as well as extensive sponge beds in deeper water.

Access
Access to the Kent Group is currently via private charter boat or light aircraft. No regular service exists.

Highlights
The Kent Group is unusually rich in fish species having the highest diversity in Tasmania. The main reason appears to be the fact that the area is the meeting point of a range of influences including the warm Eastern Australian current coming from New South Wales and the westerly influence of Bass Strait. The Kent Group includes the southern most strongholds of several fish species including the violet roughy, mosaic leatherjacket and Wilson’s weedfish, and the southern limit of distribution of Maori wrasse, one spot puller and Bank’s shovelnose.

Diving around the Kent Group ranges from the sheltered bays of Deal Island's east coast to rocky shorelines and outcrops exposed to the prevailing westerly weather. Many dive sites are subject to strong tidal currents, particularly those in the channel that divides the main islands. Gorgonians sea fans a metre or more high are a feature of the deep reefs. Clouds of barber perch and sweep swim amongst the boulders.

As the islands are well offshore there is little run off from rain and the water is generally clear, with visibility normally ranging from 15 to over 30 metres. The historic wrecks of the SS Bulli near Erith Isand and the SS Karitane at the southern end of Deal Island are in shallow water and make interesting dives.

A detailed plan showing the boundaries of the reserve is also available.

The reserve is like a national park. Please 'Look But Don't Take' and enjoy the features of this special environment. Please look after our coast and don't rubbish our sea.

However, please DO NOT:

• Collect living or dead material, harm or remove plants or animals. Dead shells often become a home for another creature.
• Fish or set nets or pots within the reserve.

Please care for our coast and 'Don't Rubbish Our Sea'.
• Try to avoid anchoring boats within the reserve. If you must anchor, do so on kelp covered reef or, preferably sand. Avoid anchoring on sponge gardens or seagrass.
• Stow your rubbish, don't throw it. Plastic, ropes and fishing tackle can injure and kill marine life. Dumping rubbish at sea is illegal.
• Please take care with liquid wastes such as detergents, fuel and oil, and sewage. These can be toxic to marine life.
• Try to walk around plants and animals along the shoreline.

The reserve is jointly managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service and Marine Resources. The marine environment around the Kent Group is listed on the National Estate because of its outstanding natural features.