Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00321:front:0:p82
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00321
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 238118–241093

Figure S2.4 Central Eastern Marine Park
Solitary Islands Marine Park
The Solitary Islands Marine Park (Figure S2.5) is located approximately 5.5 km offshore of New South Wales, adjacent to the New South Wales Solitary Islands Marine Park. The Marine Park covers an area of 152 km² and a depth range of 15 m to 70 m.
The Marine Park was originally proclaimed under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 on 17 February 1993 as the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters), and proclaimed under the EPBC Act on 14 December 2013 and renamed Solitary Islands Marine Park on 9 October 2017. The Marine Park is assigned IUCN category VI and includes three zones assigned under this plan: National Park Zone (II), Multiple Use Zone (VI) and Special Purpose Zone (Trawl) (VI).
Coordinates for the Solitary Islands Marine Park and zones are provided in Figure S2.5 and Schedule 4.
Statement of significance
The Solitary Islands Marine Park is significant because it contains habitats, species and ecological communities associated with the Central Eastern Shelf Transition. The Marine Park contains habitat for species of special conservation interest such as grey nurse sharks, and biologically important areas for humpback whale, white shark and a number of migratory seabirds.
The Marine Park includes habitats connecting to and complementing the adjacent New South Wales Solitary Islands Marine Park.
Natural values
The Marine Park includes examples of ecosystems representative of the Central Eastern Shelf Transition. Ecosystems of this area are influenced by tropical waters of the East Australian Current meeting temperate, southern waters, creating a combination of tropical and temperate environments. Many species found within the Marine Park are at, or close to, either their southern or northern geographical limits. Tropical, subtropical and temperate marine communities co-exist within the same area.
Waters of the Marine Park are a relatively undisturbed, distinct and species-rich ecosystem associated an open-ocean, subtidal reef and soft substrate habitats. Pimpernel Rock is a significant feature of the Marine Park. It is a submerged pinnacle that rises from the seabed to within a few metres of the surface. It provides habitat for benthic communities, pelagic fish, and other marine life.
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 foraging habitat for seabirds, migratory and foraging habitat for sharks, a migratory pathway for humpback whales, and breeding habitat for Indo-Pacific/spotted bottlenose dolphin.
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 Yaegl People's sea country extends into the