Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00100:front:0:p72
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00100
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 227187–230230

gurnard perch.

There are several small, distinct areas of reef on the shelf-break, likely scoured of sand cover by currents associated with adjacent canyons. They are steep mudstone ledge/cliffs without significant reef complexity. Fish assemblages associated with these features include relatively high abundances of jackass morwong, ocean perch and striped trumpeter. Sawtail catshark have also been observed at these shelf break reefs.

Between 70 m80 m and 120 m200 m the habitat is primarily soft sediment. Fish assemblages in these habitats are dominated by flathead and barred grubfish. Toothy flathead is the most common flathead species and is widely distributed across the shelf. Tiger flathead is found across the shelf to the shelf breaks but predominantly in the Multiple Use Zone and in lower numbers. Sand flathead is found in shallower shelf sites in the Multiple Use Zone.

Much of the shelf between 80 m and 120 m is covered by low-profile dune-like ridge features that are orientated in a northsouth direction parallel to the coast and extend 3 km to 5 km. They are likely consolidated relic glacial coastal dune features drowned by sea level rise following the last glacial period. These systems are intermediate between reef and soft sediment. Despite being consolidated they rarely have hard-rock outcropping and are typically covered in a fine layer of sand or silt with emergent small sponges and bryozoan/hydroid turf matrix. Fish assemblages include jackass morwong, common gurnard perch, spikey dogfish, gummy shark and draughtboard shark.

The park includes biologically important seabird foraging areas for 7 species of albatross (including the endangered shy albatross; the vulnerable antipodean, black browed, Campbell, Indian yellow nosed and wandering albatrosses; and Bullers albatross), white faced storm petrel, common diving petrel, soft plumaged petrel, and short-tailed shearwater. There are also biologically important areas in the park for vulnerable white shark and endangered southern right and pygmy blue whales.

The park contains habitats, species, and ecological communities associated with 3 provincial bioregions – Tasmania Province, Tasmanian Shelf Province, and Southeast Transition – and the Freycinet mesoscale bioregion.

The key ecological features represented in the park include:

       * shelf rocky reefs and hard substrate – includes rariphotic reefs in the north-west of the park

       * seamounts, east and south of Tasmania

       * east Tasmania subtropical convergence zone.

Social and economic benefits

At the time of making this plan, the main commercial fisheries operating in the park include:

       * South-east Scalefish and Shark Fishery  gillnet, hook and trap sector (Commonwealth managed)

       * Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery

       * Tasmanian Octopus Fishery

       * Tasmanian Giant Crab Fishery

       * Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery.

This park is one of the parks in the South-east Network most used by recreational fishers due to its proximity