Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00324:front:0:p13
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00324
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 34288–37308

of Carpentaria basin;
  * Plateaux and saddle north-west of the Wellesley Islands; and
  * Submerged coral reefs of the Gulf of Carpentaria coastal zone.
Species and habitats—all species and habitats are important components of the ecosystems represented in the North Network. Many species are protected under the EPBC Act and international agreements such as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS or Bonn Convention), the Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), the China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), and the Republic of Korea–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA). Further information on these agreements is in Schedule 1.
The North Network supports important habitats, including biologically important areas, for a range of protected species. Biologically important areas are where aggregations of individuals of a protected species breed, forage or rest during migration. More information on protected species and biologically important areas can be found in the Marine bioregional plan for the North Marine Region (2012) and the conservation values atlas on the Department's website.
Cultural values
Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders have been sustainably using and managing their sea country for tens of thousands of years, in some cases since before rising sea levels created these marine environments. Sea country refers to the areas of the sea that Aboriginal and Torres Strait people are particularly affiliated with through their traditional lore and customs. Sea country is valued for Indigenous cultural identity, health and wellbeing.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to assert inherited rights and responsibilities over sea country within the North Network. It is recognised that sea country extends from terrestrial areas into nearshore and offshore waters; and that songlines traverse sea country. Sacred sites are also located in marine parks in the North Network and marine animals are recognised for their spiritual values, and their importance for the health and wellbeing of communities.
Within the North Network, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to actively manage sea country. Many groups have prepared sea country management plans and undertake work to protect and monitor the health of culturally significant and threatened species like marine turtles. Some groups have dedicated Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) over sea country, and more groups are in the process of establishing IPAs over their sea country. IPAs overlap the Wessel and Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Parks.
In the Torres Strait, in recognition of the cultural value of dugong, a dugong sanctuary has been voluntarily established under the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984. This sanctuary extends over much of the West Cape York Marine Park. This sanctuary bans harvest of dugong by Torres Strait Islanders in an area where they are known to be abundant.
Native title determinations have also been made over sea country