Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p54
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 157132–160058

stretch of coastline that separates the park from the shallow waters of the Van Diemen Gulf. Gardangal (Field Island) and Djidbordu (Barron Island) lie near the mouth of the South Alligator River and are included within the park. Field Island has a small beach which regularly supports nesting flatback turtles and is a key site for an annual monitoring programme for this threatened species, and 20 years of survey data is now available for both flatback turtles and saltwater crocodiles.

Marine and riverine environments provide important habitat for a diversity of sedentary and migratory species, many of which are listed under the EPBC Act and international conservation agreements. These include five species of marine turtles, dugong and shorebirds. The park also provides key habitat for one critically endangered and one endangered species of river shark, two vulnerable sawfish species and two inshore dolphin species.

Kakadu wetlands and coastal and marine areas are of great importance to Bininj/Mungguy and numerous sites of significance are located within and adjacent to the park. They provide a vast supply of traditional foods, or bush tucker, such as magpie goose, fish, turtles, and lotus lily; traditional medicines; and wood and fibre for traditional weapons, utensils and weaving. Bininj/Mungguy have a long history of managing the floodplains, particularly through fire management, and customary harvest continues today.

Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) is the only coastal section of the park readily accessible by land during the dry season and is the focus for a number of recreational activities including boating, fishing and coastal camping. This area is characterised by unpredictable weather, large tides, shifting sandbanks and mudflats, and potentially dangerous wildlife such as crocodiles, stingrays, and box jellyfish. A number of incidents involving boats and vehicles in the Waldak Irrmbal area have required emergency assistance from park staff.

During the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in recreational boating and fishing activity along the Kakadu coastline. Fishing activity is particularly high during neap tides at Waldak Irrmbal and Gardangal and in neighbouring waters. The West Alligator River and tributaries north of the Kakadu Highway are closed to boating and fishing for the purpose of maintaining a river system free of visitor impacts and protecting fish populations at the headwaters. It is the only river system in the Top End entirely protected from recreational fishing and boating. As a river system free of visitor impacts, the West Alligator River serves as an important refuge for wildlife and as a significant site for scientific research.

Commercial fishing targeting barramundi, salmon and mud crabs occurred within the park until 1989. Commercial fishing has not been allowed in the park since that time. At the time of preparing