Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00324:front:0:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00324
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 42569–45770

coastal zone, and species of sawfish, shark and dugong.
Extraction of living resources
Australia's world class fisheries management, led by Commonwealth, state and territory governments is important for ensuring sustainable fishing practices. Fishing, including illegal, unregulated 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 impact on marine park values. Examples of habitats, key ecological features and species vulnerable to such impacts include reef and shoal habitats, the pinnacles of the Bonaparte Basin, and species of shark, sawfish, dolphin, marine turtle, sea snake, 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, the tributary canyons of the Arafura Depression and Gulf of Carpentaria coastal zone, and species of marine turtle, fish, sea snake, 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, marine turtles and seabirds.
Invasive species
Invasive species have the potential to impact on 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. Islands, reefs and other shallow-water ecosystems and native species are vulnerable to invasive species, with direct impacts from predation or damage to important habitat e.g. nesting habitat, and indirect impacts from competition with native species for habitat and