Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00322:front:0:p83
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00322
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 238563–241592

the Northwest Shelf Province. It includes one key ecological feature: the ancient coastline at the 125-m depth contour (valued as a unique seafloor feature with ecological properties of regional significance).
The Marine Park provides connectivity between deeper waters of the shelf and slope, and the adjacent Barrow Island and Montebello Islands Marine Parks. A prominent seafloor feature in the Marine Park is Trial Rocks consisting of two close coral reefs. The reefs are emergent at low tide.
Natural values
The Marine Park includes examples of ecosystems representative of the Northwest Shelf Province—a dynamic environment influenced by strong tides, cyclonic storms, long-period swells and internal tides. The bioregion includes diverse benthic and pelagic fish communities, and ancient coastline thought to be an important seafloor feature and migratory pathway for humpback whales. A key ecological feature of the Marine Park is the ancient coastline at the 125-m depth contour where rocky escarpments are thought to provide biologically important habitat in areas otherwise dominated by soft sediments.
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 habitat for seabirds, internesting, foraging, mating, and nesting habitat for marine turtles, a migratory pathway for humpback whales and foraging habitat for whale sharks.
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. At the commencement of this plan, there is limited information about the cultural significance of this Marine Park. The Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation is the Native Title Representative Body for the Pilbara region.
Heritage values
No international, Commonwealth or national listings apply to the Marine Park at commencement of this plan, however the Marine Park is adjacent to the Western Australia Barrow Island and the Montebello–Barrow Island Marine Conservation Reserves which have been nominated for national heritage listing.
Historic shipwrecks
The Marine Park contains two known shipwrecks listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976: Trial (wrecked in 1622), the earliest known shipwreck in Australian waters and Tanami (unknown date).
Social and economic values
Tourism, commercial fishing, mining and recreation are important activities in the Marine Park. These activities contribute to the wellbeing of regional communities and the prosperity of the nation.

Figure S2.5 Montebello Marine Park
Dampier Marine Park
The Dampier Marine Park (Figure S2.6) is located approximately 10 km north-east of Cape Lambert and 40 km from Dampier extending from the Western Australian state water boundary. The Marine Park covers an area of 1252 km² and a water depth range between less than 15 m and 70 m.
The