Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2008C00685:front:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2008C00685
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 26503–29498

sites with specific attributes.

 (3) Attributes of fish spawning aggregation sites include clean water, high coral cover, complex coral forms and protection from prevailing winds.

 (4) Spawning aggregations are a principal reproductive need for some species.

 (5) There is evidence that some species of fish require specific coral topography as part of the spawning event.

1.17 Issues

 (1) Use may damage aggregation sites and disturb fish spawning aggregations.

 (2) Researchers have shown that spawning aggregations are critical to the reproductive success and sustainability of some species.

 (3) Further research is required to fully understand the nature and scale of human activities that impact on aggregation sites or fish spawning aggregations, but there is evidence that some species of fish which aggregate for the purposes of spawning are susceptible to disturbance.

 (4) Activities that damage coral or change coral topography may threaten spawning events and reproductive success rates of some fish populations.

 (5) Likely, or known, fish spawning aggregation sites should not be publicised without prior protection and enforceability of requirements that relate to the sites.

1.18 Strategy

  The Authority's strategy to minimise damage to fish spawning aggregation sites and disturbance of fish spawning aggregations is to continue to consider the location of known fish spawning aggregation sites when locating moorings, pontoons and Reef Anchorages.

Note   The Authority will continue to monitor and develop measures for fish spawning aggregation sites in the Planning Area as part of Marine Park‑wide strategies.

Subdivision 6 Bird conservation

1.19 Values

 (1) Birds are an important part of the nature conservation values of the Marine Park and form an integral part of the ecosystem.

 (2) Seabirds are an integral component of marine ecosystems.

 (3) Seabirds and other birds are essential components of the ecology of islands and cays.

 (4) Some species of birds that roost or nest on islands and cays are important to the health of the nearby Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area.

 (5) Column 3 of Table 1 lists the islands and cays that are sites which support important bird nesting and roosting grounds. Column 2 lists the sectors (described in Schedule 2) in which the sites are located.

              Table 1 Bird nesting and roosting grounds

Item  Sector                  Site
 1    Lizard Island           Seabird Islet
 2    Offshore Port Douglas   West Hope and Woody Islands, Mackay and Undine Cays
 3    Offshore Cairns         Michaelmas, Vlasoff and Upolu Cays

                              (Michaelmas Cay is rated as the second most important bird nesting site in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the most significant bird nesting site in the Planning Area)
 4    South Offshore Cairns   Sudbury Cay

1.20 Issues

 (1) In or adjacent to the Planning Area, there are only a few cays and islands suitable for