Marine Systems
The waters off the Western Australian coast, are influenced by the Leeuwin Current. The current transports warm and low saline waters from the tropical north to southern Western Australia. The Leeuwin Current is of extreme importance to the marine environment, of particular importance to the NAR is its influence on the recruitment of the Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus cygnus) and the survival of corals in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.
The coastal waters of the NAR is open and exposed, with substantial current and wind-driven water movements. The population is also small, with only about 60,000 people living in the NAR, half of whom are resident in the Geraldton area. There is little heavy industry along the coastline. These features combine to ensure that, while relatively few measurements have been made, overall water quality is thought to be non-impacted (NACC, 2005).
The coast of the NAR contains many offshore islands. The islands are grouped into 12 nature reserves managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife to conserve their ecological, recreational, commercial, educational and cultural, and research values. The islands are host to a number of endangered fauna and are important examples of island habitats within the Central West Coast marine bio-region (NACC, 2005). The Houtman Abrolhos islands in particular, has a unique mixture of tropical, temperate and Western Australian endemic marine species.
Jurien Bay Marine Park and a few nearby islands form the only major breeding area for Australian sea lions along the western coast of Australia. The park also has the highest diversity of seaweed species in Australia and its extensive seagrass meadows provide shelter and nursery habitat for many fish and other marine creatures such as western rock lobster (DPaW, 2014b).
The west coast of Western Australia, between Ningaloo and Rottnest Island, is a key center of biodiversity. Eighteen hotspots of coral reef biodiversity have been found. The Abrolhos are one of four reef systems that constitute the hotspot. The Abrolhos’ total diversity is second to Ningaloo Reef, but has far more restricted range species (NACC, 2005).
The waters surrounding the Abrolhos islands have an incredible abundance of coral, macroalgae, invertebrates and fish which provide a spectacular setting for diving and snorkelling. These waters have been given special status as a Fish Habitat Protection Area for the conservation of fish and fish breeding areas and the aquatic ecosystem, and for the management of aquatic tourism and recreational activities. The Abrolhos and Jurien are classified as a Commonwealth Marine Reserve, due to major conservation values (i.e. important foraging areas for sea lions). These Commonwealth Marine Reserves also both comprise National Marine Park zones.
Along the continental coastline, subtidal reefs, limestone drop-offs, macroalgae and seagrass beds in sandy areas also provide outstanding submerged seascapes. Wreck diving is popular, and dive trails are being set up in some areas (Jurien Bay and Abrolhos) to highlight local features.
The species diversity of seagrass, macroalgea, fish, birds, invertebrates and other marine
flora and fauna is very high and the combination of both temperate and tropical species notable. Many migratory species, particularly Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and seabirds utilise the NAR’s marine system. Some of the specially protected species that occur in the region include:
See the conservation significant fauna list, for details of significant marine fauna recorded in the NAR, to help you identify these species check out the Protected Species ID Guide.
The Abrolhos is a major nesting area for seabirds of International significance, but populations are lower than they were before European settlement. At least 15 species of seabirds breed on the islands of the Jurien Bay Marine Park, including the Roseate tern, whose numbers have increased considerably in recent years (Gaughan et. al. 2003). Australian sealions (Neophoca cinerea) are also often-seen, with some of the northernmost and important breeding sites of the Australian sea-lion including North Fisherman, Buller, East Beagle and the Abrolhos Islands. Approximately 800-1000 occur on the west coast (Gales et al. 1994) and this species is protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950.
Commercial and recreational fishing are major activities along the coast of the NAR. The principal commercial fishery in this region is the
western rock lobster fishery which is Australia’s most valuable single-species wild capture fishery. There are also significant commercial trawl, dive and pot fisheries for other invertebrates including scallops, abalone, blue swimmer crabs and octopus. Commercial fishers take a range of finfish species including sharks, dhufish, snapper, baldchin groper and emperors using demersal line and net methods (Fletcher and Santoro, 2012).
The Department of Fisheries, established and designated under the Public Sector Management Act 1994, is the department principally assisting the Minister for Fisheries in the administration of legislation under five State Acts of Parliament.
The Abrolhos Islands are protected within a ‘Fish Habitat Protection Area’, and are not considered by the Department of Fisheries to be at unacceptable risk from fisheries related activities. There are a number of research programs including monitoring of the health of coral communities at the Abrolhos Islands (Fletcher and Santoro, 2012).
Recreational fishing is also popular in the NAR, as it is in Western Australia more generally, and is a significant contributor to the regional tourist economy. The NAR is located in the West Coast recreational fishing region, check out the online Species Identification Guide.
Aboriginal people have a spiritual and physical connection to the marine environment, with the creation of stories of Noongar and Yamaji people containing many references to the sea and its inhabitants. According to the creation mythology of many Yamaji language groups, a battle took place between the Rainbow Snake and a mythological marine creature (some say shark others say serpent).
Some local language groups believe this battle took place near the mouth of the Murchison River and the Abrolhos Islands were created as a result. As the Abrolhos are not visible from the mainland and the local Aboriginal groups are not seafarers, knowledge of the existence of the Abrolhos Islands may come from a time when the sea level was lower. Noongar people maintain their cultural link to the coastline with mythological explanations for the existence of the many coastal islands. Cultural caveats exist on many of these islands, with access to an island and its resources often restricted to particular members of the community (eg Some of these islands are designated womens’ places).
Although there is a long history of use of the coastal areas by Aboriginal people, a better understanding of the significance Aboriginal people place on the marine environment in the Northern Agricultural Region is still required. The existence of fish traps and the number and contents of middens provide evidence that marine molluscs and fish were an important food source.
There are native title claims that cover inshore marine areas of the region, and there may have been use of what are now offshore islands during periods of lower sea-level.
Click features on the map for more information. View
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Beagle Islands Nature Reserve
The Beagle Islands Nature Reserve was gazetted in 1991 and covers ~45 hectares. The Beagle Islands are a small group of islands located ~15 km from Leeman. They are at the northern end of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group and home to the largest population of Australian Sea Lions in Western Australia.
Boullanger, Whitlock, Favourite, Tern & Osprey Islands Nature Reserve
These islands form part of the ~111 180 ha Jurien Bay Marine Park which was declared in 2003. The islands are all part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group and among the few populations of Endangered Dibbler Parantechinus apicalis in the Northern Agricultural Region are found on Boullanger and Whitlock Islands, where plant diversity is relatively high.
Buller, Whittell & Green Islands Nature Reserve
The Buller, Whittell & Green Islands Nature Reserve was gazetted in 1989 and now forms part of the ~111 180 ha Jurien Bay Marine Park which was declared in 2003. The islands are all part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group. Buller Island is one of the few breeding sites for Australian Sea Lions Neophoca cinerea in Western Australia.
Cervantes Islands Nature Reserve
The Cervantes Islands Nature Reserve forms part of the ~111 180 ha Jurien Bay Marine Park which was declared in 2003. The islands are all part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group. North Cervantes supports more than 50 plant species and all three Cervantes islands are used as haul out and foraging sites by Australian Sea Lions Neophoca cinerea.
Escape Island Nature Reserve
The Escape Island Nature Reserve forms part of the ~111 180 ha Jurien Bay Marine Park which was declared in 2003. The 27 ha island is part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group. It supports a population of the Vulnerable Jurien Bay Skink Liopholis pulchra longicauda, Endangered Dibbler Parantechinus apicalis and relatively high plant diversity.
Essex Rocks Nature Reserve
The Essex Rocks Nature Reserve forms part of the ~111 180 ha Jurien Bay Marine Park which was declared in 2003. The islands are all part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group. Middle and North Essex Rock are used by Vulnerable Australian Sea Lions Neophoca cinerea as haul out and foraging areas.
Fisherman Islands Nature Reserve
The Fisherman Islands Nature Reserve forms part of the ~111 180 ha Jurien Bay Marine Park which was declared in 2003. The islands are part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group. North Fisherman Island is one of the few breeding sites for Australian Sea Lions Neophoca cinerea in Western Australia.
Houtman Abrolhos Islands
The Houtman Abrolhos Islands, one of the largest temperate limestone reef systems in Australia, comprises 122 coral cays located off the coast of Geraldton. The islands are clustered into the Wallabi, Easter and Pelsaert groups and were declared a national park in 2019. They are home to a mixture of temperate and tropical coastal and marine flora and fauna, including several threatened species.
Jurien Bay Marine Park
The Jurien Bay Marine Park was declared in 2003, covers ~111 180 ha and extends for around 5.5 km offshore between Wedge and Green Head. The park contains an extensive limestone reef system, forming shallow lagoons and seagrass meadows, and incorporates many island nature reserves that provide habitat for rare and endangered animals, including the Vulnerable Jurien Bay Skink Liopholis pulchra longicauda and the Endangered Dibbler Parantechinus apicalis. The park also contains breeding sites for Australian Sea Lions Neophoca cinerea and numerous seabirds.
Kalbarri Blue Holes Fish Habitat Protection Area
The Blue Holes form part of an inshore coastal limestone reef system west of Kalbarri and include both permanently submerged and intertidal areas. Declared a Fish Habitat Protection Area (FHPA) in 2007 due to its special ecological significance, fishing and the use of motorised vessels is prohibited. Aquatic recreation activities like including snorkelling and scuba diving are encouraged.
Lancelin And Edwards Islands Nature Reserve
The Lancelin and Edwards Islands Nature Reserve are located at the southern end of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group. Lancelin Island has a high diversity of plants, supporting over 50 plant species, and is home to the endemic and threatened Lancelin Island Skink Ctenotus lancelini. The western side of Lancelin Island is protected in the Lancelin Island Lagoon Fish Habitat Protection Area.
Lipfert, Milligan & Snag Islands Nature Reserve
The Lipfert, Milligan and Snag Islands and Webb Islet and Orton and Drummond Rocks Nature Reserve covers a total land area of ~3 ha off the coast of Green Head and Leeman. The islands are important seabird breeding habitat.
Outer Rocks Nature Reserve
The Outer Rocks Nature Reserve forms part of the ~111 180 ha Jurien Bay Marine Park which was declared in 2003. The islands are part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group. Both North and South Outer Rocks provide breeding habitat for seabirds in the region.
Ronsard Rocks Nature Reserve
The Ronsard Rocks Nature Reserve forms part of the ~111 180 ha Jurien Bay Marine Park which was declared in 2003. The islands are part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group. The islands provide breeding habitat for seabirds.
Sandland Island Nature Reserve
The Sandland Island Nature Reserve forms part of the ~111 180 ha Jurien Bay Marine Park which was declared in 2003. The island is part of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group and provide breeding habitat for seabirds in the region.
Seagrass Meadows
The Central West Coast limestone reef system extends from Kalbarri to Perth and supports an extremely high species diversity of seagrasses. Extensive seagrass meadows in protected, near-shore areas of the NAR, provide shelter and nursery habitat for many fish and other marine creatures including Western Rock Lobster. Seagrasses also provides services as primary biomass producers, sources of dissolved oxygen, sediment traps and nutrient cyclers.
