Download Temperate East Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network

Temperate East Commonwealth Marine Reserves
Network
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MARINE USERS – TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Commonwealth marine reserves declared in November 2012 are under transitional arrangements
until management plans come into effect in July 2014. Transitional arrangements involve NO
CHANGES ON THE WATER for marine users. 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.
More information is available at www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves
The Temperate East Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network protects 383 352 km2 of Australia's
marine area through eight separate reserves.
The reserves will be managed for the primary purpose of conserving the biodiversity found in them,
while also allowing for the sustainable use of natural resources in some areas. The reserves
include a vast range of ecosystems, habitats and biological communities representative of the
Temperate East region. The reserves will help ensure our marine environment remains healthy
and is more resilient to the effects of climate change and other pressures.
Conservation values
The Temperate East Marine Region is recognised as an area of global significance for a number of
protected marine species. Several significant seamount ridges run parallel to the coast in this region.
Scientists have recently discovered that these features support hundreds of species, including some
previously unknown to science. The seamounts rise from seafloor depths of approximately 4800
metres to up to 130 metres from the surface (more than twice the height of Mt Kosciuszko), and are
home to deepwater shark species that are only found in Australia.
The Temperate East network provides protection for several species listed as endangered or
vulnerable under Commonwealth legislation or international agreements, including the criticallyendangered east coast population of grey nurse shark and vulnerable white shark.
The network also includes: important offshore reef habitat at Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Lord
Howe Island and Norfolk Island that support the threatened black cod; the southernmost extent of
many reef-building coral species; as well as important breeding, foraging and feeding areas for
several species of seabird including the little tern.
Temperate East Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network
Network area
383 352 km²
Depth range
<15 – 6000 m
Number of reserves
8 (ranging in size from 4 to 188 443 km²)
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Key conservation
values
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Type of zones
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Jervis Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Hunter Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve (includes former Cod Grounds
Commonwealth Marine Reserve)
Solitary Islands Commonwealth Marine Reserve (includes former Solitary
Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth waters))
Central Eastern Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Gifford Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Lord Howe Commonwealth Marine Reserve (includes former Lord Howe
Island Marine Park (Commonwealth waters) and Elizabeth and Middleton
Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve)
Norfolk Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Important habitat for the critically endangered east coast population of grey
nurse sharks.
Important offshore reef habitat at Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Lord Howe
Island and Norfolk Island that support the threatened black cod.
Significant seamount ridges that run parallel to the coast and support
hundreds of species, including some previously unknown to science. The
seamounts rise from seafloor depths of approximately 4800 metres to up to
130 metres from the surface—more than twice the height of Mt Kosciuszko—
and are home to deepwater shark species that are only found in Australia.
The Temperate East network will provide additional protection to a number of
species listed as endangered or vulnerable under Commonwealth legislation
or international agreements, including the white shark, Bleekers devil fish, the
little tern and other seabirds.
Unique subtropical corals considered the southernmost coral reefs in the
world.
Key ecological features including shelf rocky reefs, Tasmantid and Lord Howe
seamount chains, Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Norfolk Ridge, canyons on
the eastern continental slope, and the Tasman Front.
Seven provincial bioregions, three meso-scale bioregions, 73 depth ranges
within provincial bioregions, and 15 seafloor types are represented in the
network.
Marine National Park Zone (IUCN Category II)—60 264 km² or 15.7% of
network
Recreational Use Zone (IUCN Category IV) – 1 170 km² or 0.31% of network
Habitat Protection Zone (IUCN Category IV) – 133 776 km² or 34.90% of
network
Habitat Protection Zone (Lord Howe) (IUCN Category IV) – 5 136 km² or
1.34% of network
Multiple Use Zone (IUCN Category VI) – 180 645 km² or 47.12% of network
Special Purpose Zone (IUCN Category VI – 2 361 km² or 0.62% of network