Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary
Marine Sanctuary History Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary (RPMS) is located in Port Phillip Bay 20km south east of the Melbourne CBD. The declaration of Ricketts Point as a Marine Sanctuary was a significant achievement and in November 2022 the Victorian State Government legislated for its protection. In 2003 the Marine Care Ricketts Point Group was formed and acts as a conservation watchdog for the Sanctuary undertaking a variety of monitoring activities.
Traditional Land Owners
The traditional owners, the Bunurong people have a long history of caring for the reef, as they camped around the area for at least 6000 years. Their numbers were drastically reduced following European settlement. However, First Nations people continue to provide guidance for the protection of Ricketts Marine Sanctuary.
Geology and Life Forms
Underwater flora and fauna are diverse as they exist in and around the sandstone rock platform, which is characterized by intertidal platforms, subtidal reef, soft substrate, sand and seagrass habitats. There are also secluded caverns and under-rock ledges hosting colourful sponge gardens.
51 species of fish have been identified in the Sanctuary, the most common include: southern hulafish; zebra fish; dusky morwongs; moonlighters and Australian sweep. The Sanctuary is also home to smaller and less mobile animals including abalone, winkles, sea urchins, brittle stars, sea stars and crabs. Crucial to this rich marine eco-system are the algae, seaweeds and seagrass meadows which provide a beautiful palette of verdant green, red and brown. The majority of the area is shallow water of less than five metres, providing an easily accessible recreational area for snorkeling and diving.
Useful links Grassland Films produced a short film “The Sanctuary” about Ray Lewis (OAM) & Ricketts Point which, after countless cinema screenings at various festivals and the Ocean Film Festival World Tour, they have recently made freely available to watch online. They are hoping to spread Ray’s positive messages around marine conservation. The film can be watched for free by clicking on the link HERE
Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary Management Plan
The Natural History of the Beaumaris Peninsula and Its Influence on Human Activity by Bob Whiteway
Habitat Mapping at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary
A book entitled “Algae and Marine Invertebrates of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary” by Jessica Reeves & John Buckeridge, is available for loan from MCRP.