Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00324:front:0:p82
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00324
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 233449–236414

and
  * submerged coral reefs of the Gulf of Carpentaria—an area that supports large plate corals, abundant hard and soft corals, breeding and aggregation habitats for many fish species, and refuges for sea snakes and apex predators such as sharks.
The Marine Park supports a range of species, including species listed as threatened, migratory, marine or cetacean under the EPBC Act. Biologically important areas within the Marine Park include breeding and foraging areas for seabirds and internesting and foraging areas for turtles.
Cultural values
Sea country is valued for Indigenous cultural identity, health and wellbeing. Across Australia, Indigenous people have been sustainably using and managing their sea country for tens of thousands of years.
The Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadlit and Gangalidda people of the Wellesley Islands have a continuing spiritual connection with their sea country and responsibilities for managing that country. They have had their native title rights recognised.
Both the Thuwathu-Bujimulla Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) and the Wellesely Island Sea Claim determination extend over part of the Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park. The Thuwathu-Bujimulla IPA includes 160 sites of cultural heritage significance and the largest collection of stone fish traps in the southern hemisphere.
The Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadlit and Gangalidda people of the Wellesley Islands hold a wealth of cultural knowledge about their islands and sea country. They recognise the presence of the Rainbow Serpent (Thuwathu or Bujimulla) in cyclones, waterspouts and rainbows, and understand that the Rainbow Serpent has the power to cause a special type of sickness known as Markiriil in Lardil. They also consider that there are dangerous places on their country where spirits can do you harm if you are not accompanied by the right people for that area. Many prominent marine features, such as reefs, rocks, oyster banks or sand bars have their own specific names. Among these named sites are special 'story places', where significant events happened in the past, where people carry out ritual activities to maintain particular animal or plant species, or which are responsible for making tidal floods, cyclones or strong winds.
The Lardil people, as the traditional owners of Mornington Island and surrounding sea country, are recognised as the people of the Wellesley Islands with the authority to speak for sea country within the Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park. The Gulf Region Aboriginal Corporation Prescribed Body Corporate represents the Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadlit and Gangalidda native title holders of the Wellesley Islands and is the point of contact for the Marine Park. The Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation is the Native Title Representative Body for the region.
Heritage values
No international, Commonwealth or national heritage listings apply to the Marine Park at commencement of this plan.
Historic shipwrecks
The Marine Park