Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00322:front:0:p17
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00322
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 45810–48944

and unreported fishing (including illegal foreign fishing), can modify natural populations of target species. Bycatch of non-target species and/or physical disturbance to habitats can result from certain fishing methods, and may therefore potentially impact marine park values. Examples of habitat, key ecological features, and species vulnerable to such impacts include reef and shoal habitats and species of shark, sawfish, dolphin, marine turtle, sea snake, sea cucumber, trochus, fish and dugong.
Habitat modification
Commonwealth, state and territory governments play an important role in managing activities in the marine environment. For example, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) works with the mining industry to ensure their environment plans address environmental management issues. Impacts on habitat in marine parks can occur directly through physical disturbance or indirectly through the presence of infrastructure. For example, benthic communities are vulnerable to the discharge of sediments which can result in localised smothering of benthic biota and or reduction in the quality and quantity of light received at the seabed. In addition, modification of natural light through the installation of lighting associated with infrastructure can cause changes in animal behaviour. Examples of habitats and species vulnerable to habitat modification pressures include reef, shoal and pinnacle habitats and species of fish, sea snake, marine turtle, dolphin and dugong.
Human presence
Activities such as wildlife watching are a drawcard for people visiting marine parks. While enjoying the wildlife experience, it is important to be aware of the potential impacts of human presence on the natural behaviour of wildlife. Activities such as boating, camping, diving and snorkelling have the potential to impact marine park values directly through contact from collision or indirectly through changes in behaviour from disturbance. These activities may result in changes to wildlife behaviour such as nesting, breeding, feeding or resting, or may damage fragile marine environments e.g. reefs. Examples of habitats and species vulnerable to human disturbance include reef habitats and species of dolphin, marine turtle and seabird.
Invasive species
Invasive species have the potential to impact on marine park values directly and indirectly. Potential sources of invasive species include vessel ballast and bilge water discharge, vessel biofouling, accidental or deliberate transport of species and land-based activities. Island, reef and other shallow-water ecosystems and native species are vulnerable to invasive species from direct impacts such as predation or damage to important habitat, e.g. nesting habitat, or indirect impacts such as competition with native species for habitat and food. Examples of habitat, key ecological features and species vulnerable to the impacts of invasive species include reef and island habitats, and nesting seabird and marine turtle such as those at Ashmore Reef Marine Park, and the predation threat posed by the tropical fire ant