Shoalwater Bay (Dugong) Plan of Management 1997 (Cth)

Commonwealth of Australia Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

Shoalwater Bay (Dugong) Plan of Management1 SB01/97

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF Marine Park AUTHORITY, having regard to the protection of world heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and the precautionary principle within the meaning of section 3.5.1 of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment (a copy of which is set out in the Schedule to the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994), has prepared the following plan of management under Part VB of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

Dated 20th of February 1997.

Dr Ian Mc Phail Chairperson

Rhondda Jones Evelyn Scott Tom Tolhurst Member Member Member

Note: The plan of management includes alterations made by the Authority under paragraph 39ZE (3) (a) of the Act, notice of which was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, under paragraph 39ZE (4) (a) of the Act, on 2nd of April 1997.

PART 1 PRELIMINARY

INTRODUCTORY NOTE Shoalwater Bay is an area of significant regional importance for dugongs (Dugong dugon) because it provides the most important habitat for one of the most substantial populations of the species remaining in the southern section of the Marine Park. The conservation of this reservoir population is regarded as essential for the long-term viability of the regional population.

This Plan has been prepared in response to the recent decline in dugong numbers in the southern section of the Marine Park. The Authority considers that a major cause of this decline is the accidental capture of dugongs in mesh nets in the Area.

This Plan provides a framework for managing use of the Area to ensure that dugongs are managed to enable their recovery and continued protection and conservation.

1. Citation