Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00322:front:0:p90
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00322
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 257750–260730

the existing Mermaid Reef Marine Park and reefs of the Western Australian Rowley Shoals Marine Park. It includes the deeper waters of the region and a range of seafloor features such as canyons on the slope between the Argo Abyssal Plain, Rowley Terrace and Scott Plateau. These are believed to be up to 50 million years old and are associated with small, periodic upwellings that results in localised higher levels of biological productivity.
Natural values
The Marine Park includes examples of ecosystems representative of:
  * Northwest Transition—an area of shelf break, continental slope, and the majority of the Argo Abyssal Plain. Key topographic features include Mermaid, Clerke and Imperieuse Reefs which collectively are a biodiversity hotspot; and
  * Timor Province—an area dominated by warm, nutrient-poor waters. Canyons are an important feature in this area of the Marine Park and are generally associated with high productivity and aggregations of marine life.
Key ecological features of the Marine Park are:
  * Canyons linking the Argo Abyssal Plain with the Scott Plateau—an area likely to result in upwelling of nutrient rich water and aggregations of marine life; and
  * Mermaid Reef and Commonwealth waters surrounding Rowley Shoals—an area of enhanced productivity and high species richness, thought to be facilitated by internal wave action generated by internal tides.
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 resting and breeding habitat for seabirds and a migratory pathway for the pygmy blue whale.
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.
Heritage values
No international, Commonwealth or national listings apply to the Marine Park at commencement of this plan.
Historic shipwrecks
The Marine Park contains two known shipwrecks listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976: Alfred (wrecked in 1908) and Pelsart (wrecked in 1908).
Social and economic values
Commercial fishing and mining are important activities in the Marine Park. These activities contribute to the wellbeing of regional communities and the prosperity of the nation.

Figure S2.10 Argo–Rowley Terrace Marine Park
Kimberley Marine Park
The Kimberley Marine Park (Figure S2.11) is located approximately 100 km north of Broome, extending from the Western Australian state water boundary north from the Lacepede Islands to the Holothuria Banks offshore from Cape Bougainville. The Marine Park is adjacent to the Western Australian Lalang-garram/Camden Sound Marine Park and the North Kimberley Marine Park. The Marine Park covers an area