Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00326:front:0:p86
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00326
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 249826–252943

key ecological features: Albany Canyon group and adjacent shelf break (valued for high productivity, aggregations of marine life and unique seafloor features with properties of regional significance); Cape Mentelle upwelling (valued for high productivity and aggregations of marine life); Diamantina Fracture Zone (valued as a unique seafloor feature with ecological properties of regional significance); Naturaliste Plateau (valued as a unique seafloor feature with ecological properties of regional significance); western rock lobster (valued as a species that plays a regionally important ecological role); and ancient coastline between 90 m and 120 m depth (valued for relatively high productivity, aggregations of marine life and high levels of biodiversity and endemism).
As the largest Marine Park in the South-west Network, it contains a wide range of important ecosystems in both shallow and deep water, reaching abyssal depths including the Diamantina Fracture Zone, Naturaliste Plateau and Donnelly Banks, along with many reefs and canyons. The Marine Park contributes to a transect that extends from coastal land (Leeuwin–Naturaliste and D'entrecasteaux National Parks), to coastal waters (Ngari Capes Marine Park) and the deep ocean.
Natural values
The Marine Park includes examples of ecosystems representative of:
  * Southern Province—includes the deepest ocean areas of the Australian EEZ, reaching depths of around 5900 m, and is characterised by a long continental slope incised by numerous, well-developed submarine canyons and the Diamantina Fracture Zone, a rugged area of deep seafloor comprising seamounts and many ridges and troughs.
  * South-west Transition—the main features of this area are the Naturaliste Plateau, the deepest submarine plateau along Australia's continental margins. The Plateau supports rich and diverse biological communities. Deep-water mixing results from the dynamics of major ocean currents when these meet the seafloor.
  * South-west Shelf Province—marine life in this area is diverse and influenced by the warm waters of the Leeuwin Current. A small upwelling of nutrient-rich water off Cape Mentelle during summer increases productivity locally, attracting aggregations of marine life.
Key ecological features of the Marine Park are:
  * Albany Canyon group and adjacent shelf break—a feature consisting of 32 canyons cut deeply into the steep continental slope. The canyons are believed to be associated with small periodic upwellings that enhance productivity and attract aggregations of marine life;
  * Cape Mentelle upwelling—draws relatively nutrient-rich water from the base of the Leeuwin Current, up the continental slope and onto the inner continental shelf, where it results in phytoplankton blooms at the surface;
  * Diamantina Fracture Zone—a unique seafloor feature consisting of a rugged, deep-water environment of seamounts and many closely spaced troughs and ridges. The ridges and seamounts can affect water dynamics and flow, enhancing productivity, and may act as 'stepping stones' for species dispersal and migration across the region and