Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00100:front:0:p81
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00100
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 251563–254525

shallowest areas of the reef.

In depths of 70 m to 80 m, a ridge of low-profile rariphotic (rare-light) reef runs parallel to the paleo-shoreline separated by a 3 km wide sand dominated trough. The benthic community is largely sparse, erect sponges and occasional octocorals. Fish communities are dominated by velvet leatherjackets, Degen's leatherjackets, pink snapper and gummy shark.

In the south-east section of the park, mapping shows distinct ledge features in depths of
about 80 m to 90 m. These are likely to be rariphotic reef habitats, but ground truthing surveys are required to confirm this and the composition of the benthic fauna associated with these features.

Sediment habitats comprised of fine and coarse sand are a dominant feature of the park, particularly in depths below 75 m. In the north of the park there are several sand waves that
lie eastwest. Fish communities are dominated by common gurnard perch, barracouta, sand flathead, draughtboard shark and spikey dogfish. The northern section of the park may be a nursery for spikey dogfish, as only juvenile and sub-adults were detected in surveys.

The park includes biologically important foraging areas for several seabirds, including 7 species of albatross (including the endangered shy albatross; the vulnerable black browed, Campbell, Indian yellow nosed and wandering albatrosses; and the Bullers albatross), common diving petrel and the culturally significant wedge-tailed and short-tailed shearwaters. There are also biologically important areas in the park for the vulnerable white shark and endangered southern right and pygmy blue whales.

The park contains habitats, species and ecological communities associated with the 2 provincial bioregions – Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition and Bass Strait Shelf Province – and the Central Bass Strait mesoscale bioregion.

The key ecological features represented in the park include:

       * shelf rocky reefs and hard substrate – includes the mesophotic and rariphotic reefs in the north-west corner of the park.

The MV City of Rayville shipwreck, an American freighter, lies near the western boundary of the park in a depth of 80 m. It was the first American vessel sunk during World War II – on 8 November 1940 after hitting a mine.

Social and economic benefits

At the time of making this plan, the main commercial fisheries operating in the park include:

       * South-east Scalefish and Shark Fishery  gillnet, hook and trap sector (Commonwealth managed)

       * Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery (Commonwealth managed)

       * Victorian Rock Lobster Fishery

       * Victorian Ocean General Fishery

       * Victorian Wrasse (Ocean) Fishery

       * Victorian Commercial Permit and Small Sales Commercial Permit Fishery.

Moderate-use commercial shipping routes into and out of Melbourne extend over most
of the park.

  Figure S1.11 Apollo Marine Park

Nelson Marine Park
Proclaimed   28 June 2007 and came