Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p87
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 244823–251936

IUCN reserve management category  Ia (strict nature reserve)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           II (national park)

Location                          Terrestrial area of the park including the waters and intertidal areas of the central lagoon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        All marine waters of the park from the low water mark to the boundary of the park.

Attributes                        An uninhabited low-lying tropical oceanic coral atoll, mostly covered by sand and rubble on top of an old volcanic seamount that rises from a depth of 5,000 metres. North Keeling Island is one of the few remaining relatively pristine tropical islands in the Indian Ocean region. It contains rare ecosystems as it is the only largely undisturbed island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands that retains its original ecosystems and their species. Because of its isolation, evolution and relatively pristine condition, the island is significant to studies of the distribution and evolution of island species and contains ecosystems and species observed by Charles Darwin during his visit to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the 1830s.  Marine waters surrounding North Keeling Island containing a range of habitats types including sub-tidal aquatic beds, reef slope and fringing coral reefs. The reef communities of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, including those within the park, form part of a significant marine hybrid zone that supports 11 types of hybrid coral fish the highest known number of types of marine hybrid fish recorded at any marine location in the world.
                                  The island is highly significant for seabirds as it supports the most diverse seabird populations in the Indian Ocean and is the only seabird rookery within a radius of 900 kilometres                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              There are two species of internationally and EPBC listed threatened turtles, the green and hawksbill turtles are found in the park's waters. Green turtles nest on the beaches of North Keeling Island.
                                  EPBC listed green turtles are frequently observed nesting on the island.
Management purpose                        High level of protection of natural and cultural heritage                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Protection and appreciation of marine biodiversity
                                          Scientific research and monitoring into island biodiversity and geomorphological features                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Provide for appropriate recreational and commercial activities that are consistent with the protection of natural values

Table 6: Types of activities appropriate to each management zone
                                  Strict Nature Reserve                                                                          Marine Reserve
IUCN reserve management category  Ia (strict nature reserve)                                                                     II (national park)

Location                          Terrestrial area of the park including the waters and intertidal areas of the central lagoon.  All marine waters of the park from the low water mark to the boundary of the park.

                                  Public access                                                                                          Permit required                                                                                                                       Permit required
                                                                                                                                         Landing of vessels is not allowed                                                                                                     Appropriate water-based recreational activities consistent with the protection of natural values
                                                                                                                                         Strict biosecurity arrangements apply (described as conditions in access permit)                                                      Anchoring of vessels