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The Areas for Further Assessment in the East Marine Region

Download this fact sheet

• The Areas for Further Assessment in the East Marine Region (PDF - 3744KB)

FRASER AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

The Fraser AFA covers approximately 13,042 km^².

The area is adjacent to the Great Sandy Marine Park (QLD) and includes nationally and internationally significant habitat for turtles, whales, dugong, seabirds and migratory shorebirds. The area also includes an aggregation site for the humpback whale. Seafloor features including canyons and shelf edge rocky reefs are represented in the area. The area connects coastal waters and deeper ocean environments.

There are three provincial bioregions represented in the Fraser AFA: Central Eastern Shelf Transition; Central Eastern Transition; and Kenn Transition. These bioregions are representative of endemic demersal fish species as well as mixing areas (or transitions) that capture overlaps in the range of species (i.e. the edges of their range).

THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES FOR RESERVE(S) ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE FRASER AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT ARE:

1. representation of the following provincial bioregions: Central Eastern Shelf Transition; Central Eastern Transition; and Kenn Transition
2. protection of seafloor features (e.g. slope and abyssal plain) and associated ecological processes and biodiversity across a range of depths
3. protection of the canyons of the continental slope and shelf edge rocky reefs
4. protection of an aggregation area for the humpback whale
5. maintenance of ecological connectivity between coastal waters (e.g. seagrass meadows and reefs of the Great Sandy Marine Park) and deeper ocean environments and
6. enhanced protection for areas adjacent to nationally and internationally significant habitat for turtles, whales, dugong, seabirds and migratory shorebirds (i.e. Great Sandy Marine Park).

MAP: FRASER AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

• Download the map as a PDF file - Fraser Area for Further Assessment map (PDF - 680KB)

TWEED AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

The Tweed AFA covers approximately 3,343 km^².

The northern boundary of the Cape Byron Marine Park (NSW) is adjacent to this AFA. The area includes seafloor features such as the continental shelf and slope, canyons and shelf edge rocky reefs. The area includes gyres and eddies associated with the East Australian Current which has a significant influence on biological productivity in the East Marine Region. This area connects coastal waters and deeper ocean environments.

There are two provincial bioregions represented in the Tweed AFA: Eastern Shelf Transition and Central Eastern. These bioregions are representative of endemic demersal fish species as well as mixing areas (or transitions) that capture the overlap of the species ranges.

THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES FOR RESERVE(S) ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE TWEED AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT ARE:

1. representation of the Central Eastern Shelf Transition and Central Eastern provincial bioregions
2. protection of seafloor features (e.g. continental shelf and slope) and associated ecological processes and biodiversity across a range of depths
3. protection of canyons of the continental slope and shelf edge rocky reefs
4. protection of biological communities associated with the continental shelf, and gyres and eddies associated with East Australian Current and
5. maintenance of ecological connectivity between coastal waters and deeper ocean environments.

MAP: TWEED AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

• Download the map as a PDF file - Tweed Area for Further Assessment map (PDF - 616KB)

CLARENCE AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

The Clarence AFA covers approximately 14,061 km^².

The Commonwealth managed Solitary Islands Marine Reserve is included in this AFA, while the Solitary Islands Marine Park (NSW) is adjacent to the AFA boundary. These parks include nationally and internationally significant habitat for turtles, whales, fish (e.g. black cod), the grey nurse shark, seabirds and migratory shorebirds.

The area includes seafloor features such as canyons, shelf edge rocky reefs and slope, as well as associated ecological processes and biodiversity across a range of depths. The area connects intertidal rocky shores and sub-tidal reefs with deeper ocean environments.

There are three provincial bioregions represented in the Clarence AFA: Central Eastern Shelf Transition, Central Eastern Province and Central Eastern Shelf Province. These bioregions are representative of endemic demersal fish species as well as mixing areas (or transitions) that capture the overlap of the species ranges.

THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES FOR RESERVE(S) ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE CLARENCE AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT ARE:

1. representation of the Central Eastern Shelf Transition, Central Eastern Province and Central Eastern Shelf Province provincial bioregions
2. protection of seafloor features (e.g. slope) and associated ecological processes and biodiversity across a range of depths
3. protection of canyons of the continental slope and shelf edge rocky reefs
4. maintenance of ecological connectivity between coastal waters (e.g. intertidal rocky shores, sub-tidal reefs and open oceans of the Solitary Islands Marine Park) and deeper ocean environments and
5. enhanced protection for areas adjacent to nationally and internationally significant habitat for turtles, whales, fish (e.g. black cod), the grey nurse shark, seabirds and migratory shorebirds (i.e. Solitary Islands Marine Park and Solitary Islands Marine Reserve).

MAP: CLARENCE AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

• Download the map as a PDF file - Clarence Area for Further Assessment map (PDF - 649KB)

HUNTER AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

The Hunter AFA covers approximately 23,151 km^².

The Great Lakes Marine Park (NSW) is adjacent to this AFA. This park includes nationally and internationally significant habitat for turtles, whales, fish, seabirds and migratory shorebirds.

This AFA includes seafloor features such as canyons of the continental slope and shelf edge rocky reefs. This area connects estuarine wetlands and oceanic islands with deeper ocean environments.

There are two provincial bioregions represented in the Hunter AFA: Central Eastern Shelf and Central Eastern. These bioregions are representative of endemic demersal fish species as well as mixing areas (or transitions) that capture the overlap of the species ranges.

THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES FOR RESERVE(S) ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE HUNTER AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT ARE:

1. representation of the Central Eastern Shelf and Central Eastern provincial bioregions
2. protection of seafloor features (e.g. slope) and associated ecological processes and biodiversity across a range of depths
3. protection of canyons of the continental slope and shelf edge rocky reefs
4. maintenance of ecological connectivity between coastal waters (e.g. estuarine wetlands and oceanic islands of the Great Lakes Marine Park) and deeper ocean environments and
5. enhanced protection for areas adjacent to nationally and internationally significant habitat for turtles, whales, fish (e.g. black cod), seabirds and migratory shorebirds (i.e. Great Lakes Marine Park).

MAP: HUNTER AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

• Download the map as a PDF file - Hunter Area for Further Assessment map (PDF - 641KB)

TASMANTID-LORD HOWE AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

The Tasmantid-Lord Howe AFA covers approximately 376,528 km^².

The Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserves, Lord Howe Marine Reserve, and Lord Howe Marine Park (NSW) are included in this AFA. These reserves are home to nationally and internationally significant habitat for pelagic predators, demersal fish, and seabirds.

The area includes significant seafloor features such as the Tasmantid and Lord Howe seamount chains, temperate reefs, plateau, basin, and knolls/hills. Due to north-south connectivity associated with the East Australian Current and Tasman Front eddies, the area is home to unique tropical, sub-tropical and temperate species assemblages. Temperate and sub-tropical corals and sponges are found within the area.

The East Coast Deepwater Trawl exclusion zone is a permanent feature that is partially captured in this AFA. The zone is closed to all trawl methods to protect the benthic habitats near Lord Howe Island and is managed under the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery.

There are three provincial bioregions represented in the Tasmantid-Lord Howe AFA: Central Eastern Province; Tasman Basin Province; and Lord Howe Province. These bioregions are representative of endemic demersal fish species as well as mixing areas (or transitions) that capture the overlap of the species ranges.

THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES FOR RESERVE(S) ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE TASMANTIDLORD HOWE AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT ARE:

1. representation of the following provincial bioregions: Central Eastern Province Tasman Basin Province and Lord Howe Province
2. protection of seafloor features (e.g. temperate reefs, seamounts, plateau, basin, knolls/ hills) and associated ecological processes and biodiversity across a range of depths
3. protection of the Tasmantid and Lord Howe seamount chains
4. protection of temperate and sub-tropical corals and sponges
5. maintenance of high species richness and unique tropical, sub-tropical and temperate species assemblages due to north-south connectivity associated with the East Australian Current and Tasman Front eddies and
6. enhanced protection for areas that include and/or are adjacent to nationally and internationally significant habitat for pelagic predators, demersal fish, and seabirds (i.e. Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserves, Lord Howe Marine Reserve, Lord Howe Marine Park).

MAP: TASMANTID-LORD HOWE AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

• Download the map as a PDF file - Tasmantid-Lord Howe Area for Further Assessment map (PDF - 3736KB)

NORFOLK AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

The Norfolk AFA covers 200,605 km². Commonwealth waters adjacent to Norfolk Island are included in this AFA.

The area includes seafloor features such as shelf, plateau, and deep holes and valleys. The Norfolk Ridge offshore chains of seamounts, which are important for biodiversity due to enhanced productivity and aggregations of marine life, are found within the area. Due to north-south connectivity associated with the East Australian Current and Tasman Front eddies, the area is home to unique tropical, sub-tropical and temperate species assemblages.

The Norfolk Island provincial bioregion is represented in this AFA. This bioregion is representative of endemic demersal fish species.

THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES FOR RESERVE(S) ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE NORFOLK AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT ARE:

1. representation of the Norfolk Island provincial bioregion
2. protection of seafloor features (e.g. shelf, plateau, deep/hole/valley) and associated ecological processes and biodiversity across a range of depths
3. protection of the Norfolk Ridge offshore chains of seamounts
4. maintenance of high species richness and unique tropical and temperate species assemblages due to north-south connectivity associated with the East Australian Current and Tasman Front eddies and
5. protection of biological communities associated with the abyssal plain and trough, and continental plateau.

MAP: NORFOLK AREAS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

• Download the map as a PDF file - Norfolk Areas for Further Assessment map (PDF - 3569KB)

BATEMANS AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

The Batemans AFA covers approximately 12,127 km^².

The Batemans Marine Park (NSW) is adjacent to this AFA. The area is home to species of turtles, fish, and seabirds, and habitats such as sponge gardens, kelp beds, coralline algal banks, rocky reefs, seagrass, mangroves, and estuaries.

There are three provincial bioregions represented in the Batemans AFA: Southeast Shelf Transition; Southeast Transition; and Central Eastern Province. These bioregions are representative of endemic demersal fish species as well as mixing areas (or transitions) that capture the overlap of the species ranges.

The area includes seafloor features such as slope, abyssal plain, and deep ocean floor.

THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES FOR RESERVE(S) ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE BATEMANS AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT ARE:

1. representation of the following provincial bioregions: Southeast Shelf Transition, Southeast Transition and Central Eastern Province
2. protection of unique seafloor features (e.g. shelf, slope, abyssal plain/deep ocean floor) and associated ecological processes and biodiversity across a range of depths
3. maintenance of ecological connectivity between coastal waters (e.g. continental shelf sea floor, sponge gardens, kelp beds, coralline algal banks, rocky reefs, seagrass, mangroves, and estuarine habitats of the Batemans Marine Park) and deeper ocean environments and
4. enhanced protection for areas adjacent to nationally and internationally significant habitat for turtles, fish and seabirds (i.e. Batemans Marine Park).

MAP: BATEMANS AREA FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT

• Download the map as a PDF file - Batemans Area for Further Assessment map (PDF - 594KB)

Disclaimer
The contents of this document have been compiled using a range of source materials and is valid as at March 2010. The Australian Government is not liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of or reliance on the contents of the document.
MAR28.0310