Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00326:front:0:p90
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00326
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 260904–263910

temperate seagrass species account for 80 per cent of the benthic primary production in the area. These meadows provide habitat for fish and invertebrates. Geographe Bay provides important nursery habitat, resting areas and foraging habitats for sharks, whales and seabirds.
The Marine Park includes habitats connecting to and complementing the adjacent Western Australian Ngari Capes Marine Park.
Natural values
The Marine Park includes examples of ecosystems representative of the South-west Shelf Province—an area of diverse marine life, influenced by the warm waters of the Leeuwin Current. The bioregion includes globally important biodiversity hotspots, such as the waters off Geographe Bay.
Key ecological features of the Marine Park are:
  * Commonwealth marine environment within and adjacent to Geographe Bay—the sheltered waters of Geographe Bay support extensive seagrass beds that in turn provide important nursery habitat for a range of marine species; and
  * Western rock lobster—plays an important trophic role in many of the inshore ecosystems of the South-west Marine Region. Western rock lobsters are an important part of the food web on the inner shelf, particularly as juveniles.
The Marine Park supports a range of species including species listed as threatened, migratory, marine or cetacean under the EPBC Act. Biologically important areas within the Marine Park include foraging habitat for seabirds, a migratory pathway for humpback and pygmy blue whales, and a calving buffer area for southern right whales.
Cultural values
Sea country is valued for Indigenous cultural identity, health and wellbeing. Across Australia, Indigenous people have been sustainably using and managing their sea country for tens of thousands of years.
The Noongar people have responsibility for sea country in the Marine Park. Traditional owners have maintained cultural responsibilities for sea country as passed down from elders, to keep the oceans healthy, to support spiritual wellbeing and to uphold and protect obligatory cultural responsibilities for future generations.
The South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council is the Native Title Service Provider for the South-west region.
Heritage values
No international, Commonwealth or national heritage listings apply to the Marine Park at commencement of this plan.
Historic shipwrecks
The Marine Park contains eight known shipwrecks listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.
Social and economic values
Tourism, commercial fishing and recreation, including fishing, are important activities in the Marine Park. These activities contribute to the wellbeing of regional communities and the prosperity of the nation.

Figure S2.10 Geographe Marine Park
Perth Canyon Marine Park
The Perth Canyon Marine Park (Figure S2.11) is located approximately 52 km west of Perth and approximately 19 km west of Rottnest Island. The Marine Park covers an area of 7409 km² and water depths range between 120 m and 5000 m.
The Marine Park was proclaimed under