Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00322:front:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00322
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 28955–31987

years. They use and actively manage the coastal and marine environments of the region as a resource and to maintain cultural identity, health and wellbeing. Fishing, hunting and the maintenance of culture and heritage through ritual, stories and traditional knowledge continue as important uses of nearshore and adjacent areas.
The region is popular for activities such as fishing, snorkelling, diving and boating. Tourism operators offer unique experiences for visitors to enjoy the offshore reefs, islands, cays and deep-water environments. Some of the tourism drawcards in the region include diving at Mermaid Reef, wildlife watching at Ningaloo Reef, and birdwatching at Ashmore Reef.
There are significant industries in the region, including commercial fishing, mining and shipping that contribute to economic growth, employment and social wellbeing in adjacent towns and communities. Activities and businesses that support these industries such as marine industry suppliers and repair yards are also important sources of employment for coastal communities.
The marine environment of the region is characterised by shallow-water tropical marine ecosystems, a large area of continental shelf (including the narrowest part of continental shelf on Australia's coastal margin) and continental slope, with two areas of abyssal plain with depths to 6000 m. Habitats include coral reefs, soft sediments, canyons and limestone pavements. The region is subject to extreme tidal regimes and a high incidence of cyclones. It is influenced by a complex system of ocean currents that change seasonally and between years, generally resulting in surface waters that are warm, nutrient-poor and of low salinity. The southern part of the region transitions between tropical and temperate waters.
The region has high species diversity and globally significant populations of internationally threatened species. A small number of species are found nowhere else but most of the region's species are tropical and found in other parts of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. The region supports biologically important areas for a range of spectacular and unique species—seabirds, sharks, whales, dolphins, marine turtles and dugong (Dugong dugon). For example, the iconic whale shark (Rhincodon typus) aggregates at Ningaloo, and every year, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate through the region to and from their breeding grounds off the Kimberley coast.
Further information about the region can be found in the Marine bioregional plan for the North-west Marine Region (2012) and the North-west marine bioregional plan: bioregional profile (2008) (available on the Department's website), and the marine park values in Section 2.3 (Values of the North-west Network) and Schedule 2 of this plan.
Figure 2.1 North-west Marine Region
The North-west Marine Parks Network
The North-west Network (Figure 2.2) covers 335,341 km2 and includes 13 marine parks. An overview of the marine parks and their values is provided in Schedule