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Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve (renamed)
Overview
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MARINE USERS
Transitional arrangements for renamed marine reserves
From the declaration of Commonwealth marine reserves in November 2012 until new management plans come into effect in July 2014, there will be no changes to management arrangements for the renamed Commonwealth marine reserves that existed prior to the establishment of the new reserves. This includes Marine National Nature Reserves and Marine Parks, whether they continue to exist as discrete reserves or have been incorporated into larger new reserves.
- Transitional arrangements involve NO CHANGE ON THE WATER for marine users.
- If you hold an existing approval to undertake activities within the renamed Commonwealth marine reserves (Ashmore Reef, Cartier Island, Ningaloo and Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserves), you are able to continue to operate under the terms of your existing approval.
- No additional administrative requirements apply.
Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve has been renamed Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve and forms part of the North-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network. Interim management arrangements apply until the management plan for the North-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network comes into effect.
The Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve is located about 150 nautical miles (290 km) north-west of Broome, Western Australia, near the edge of Australia's continental slope and is surrounded by waters that extend to a depth of over 500 metres. Mermaid Reef is the most north-easterly of three reef systems forming the Rowley Shoals. It is totally submerged at high tide and therefore falls under Australian Government jurisdiction. The other two reefs of the Rowley Shoals, Clerke Reef and Imperieuse Reef, are managed by the Western Australian Government as part of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park.
Mermaid Reef is listed on Australia's Commonwealth Heritage List.
| Name | Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve (renamed) |
|---|---|
| Date of Proclamation | 21 March 1991, now renamed Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve |
| Area | 540 km2 |
| Depth range | 15-500 m (approx.) |
| Types of zoning | IUCN Category Ia - Strict Nature Reserve |
Major conservation values
- Mermaid Reef has national and international significance due to its pristine character, coral formations, geomorphic features and diverse marine life.
- Key area for over 200 species of hard corals and 12 classes of soft corals with coral formations in pristine condition
- Important areas for sharks including the grey reef shark, the whitetip reef shark and the silvertip whaler
- Important foraging area for marine turtles
- Important area for toothed whales, dolphins, tuna and billfish
- Important resting and feeding sites for migratory seabirds
- The reserve, along with nearby Rowley Shoals Marine Park, provides the best geological example of shelf atolls in Australia
- Examples of the seafloor habitats and communities of the Northwest Transition.
