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Great Australian Bight Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Overview
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MARINE USERS
Transitional arrangements for new areas added to the Commonwealth marine reserve estate
From the declaration of Commonwealth marine reserves in November 2012 until management plans come into effect in July 2014, transitional arrangements apply.
- Under the transitional arrangements, there are NO CHANGES ON THE WATER for users of new areas added to the Commonwealth marine reserves estate.
- NOTE: There are no changes to management arrangements in the marine reserves that existed prior to the establishment of the new reserves, that is, the same restrictions on activities will continue to apply even where those reserves have been incorporated into new reserves.
The new Great Australian Bight Commonwealth Marine Reserve covers an area of more than 45 000 km2 and encompasses the former Great Australian Bight Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters). A management plan will be prepared for the South-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network and will cover all 14 new reserves.
| Name | Great Australian Bight Commonwealth Marine Reserve |
|---|---|
| Area | 45 926 km2 |
| Depth range | <15-6000 m (approx.) |
| Types of zoning |
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Major conservation values
- Globally important seasonal calving habitat for the threatened southern right whale
- Important foraging areas for the:
- threatened Australian sea lion
- threatened white shark
- migratory sperm whales
- migratory short-tailed shearwater
- Examples of the western ecosystems of the Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition and the easternmost ecosystems of the Southern Province.
- Three key ecological feature:
- ancient coastline 90-120m (high productivity)
- benthic invertebrate communities of the eastern Great Australian Bight (communities with high species diversity)
- areas important for small pelagic fish (species group with an important ecological role)
Download reserve fact sheet
SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE
The Great Australian Bight Commonwealth Marine Reserve includes globally important seasonal calving habitat for the threatened southern right whale
Southern right whale