Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00324:front:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00324
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 28772–31736

region is subject to extreme tidal regimes, monsoonal climatic patterns and a high incidence of cyclones. It is influenced by currents driven largely by strong winds and tides, with only minor influences from oceanographic currents.
The region has high species diversity and globally significant populations of internationally threatened species. Coral-reef systems of the region support some endemic species, but flora and fauna are generally typical of the Indo-West Pacific. Coral, invertebrates and phytoplankton are all highly diverse, and fish such as snapper, emperor and grouper are common higher-order predators of coral and rocky reef habitats. The region supports biologically important areas for a range of spectacular and unique species—seabirds, sharks, dolphins, and dugong (Dugong dugon). Six of the world's seven species of marine turtle are known to occur in the region. Other species known to occur in the region include species of sawfish, sea snake, saltwater crocodile, seahorse and pipefish.
Further information about the region can be found in the Marine bioregional plan for the North Marine Region (2012) and the North 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 Network) and Schedule 2 of this plan.
Figure 2.1 North Marine Region

The North Marine Parks Network
The North Network (Figure 2.2) covers 157,480 km2 and includes eight marine parks. An overview of the marine parks and their values is provided in Schedule 2.
The North Network comprises the following marine parks:
  * Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Marine Park
  * Oceanic Shoals Marine Park
  * Arafura Marine Park
  * Arnhem Marine Park
  * Wessel Marine Park
  * Limmen Marine Park
  * Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park
  * West Cape York Marine Park
Figure 2.2 North Marine Parks Network

Values of the North Network
Values are broadly defined as:
  * Natural values—habitats, species and ecological communities within marine parks, and the processes that support their connectivity, productivity and function.
  * Cultural values—living and cultural heritage recognising Indigenous beliefs, practices and obligations for country, places of cultural significance and cultural heritage sites.
  * Heritage values—non-Indigenous heritage that has aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance.
  * Socio-economic values—the benefit of marine parks for people, businesses and the economy.
A summary of the values of the North Network is provided in Table 2.1. The values of individual marine parks are set out in Schedule 2. As outlined in Part 1, in managing marine parks, the Director will need to make decisions about what activities can occur in the marine parks and what actions to take to manage them. This will involve the Director making decisions that carefully balance the need to protect natural, cultural, heritage and socio-economic values of marine