Theme 7: Protecting Iconic species

Some examples of iconic species that frequent the BDTNRM coastal and marine zone thus enriching the biodiversity of our region include, but are not limited to:

• Dugong
• Whales
• Dolphins
• Sea Turtles
• Crocodile
• Jelly Fish
• Sea Birds
• Salt water Fish species (e.g. barramundi, coral trout, snapper, red emperor, barracuda)
• Sharks
• Sting rays and Stone Fish
• Mangroves
• Seagrasses
• Prawns
• Crabs
• Corals and sponges
  

Check out the Townsville Regional Bird Observers website for some interesting info and beautiful imagery of our local bird life... you might be inspired to become a bird watcher yourself!  www.trboc.org.au

World Heritage Areas in the Burdekin Dry Tropics Region

World Heritage Areas (WHA) are considered the most outstanding heritage places on earth and provide examples of the world’s natural or cultural heritage. The World Heritage Committee oversees world heritage listing on behalf of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The Great Barrier Reef is one WHA within BDT’s region
The Wet Tropics is another WHA extending into the northern coastal part of the BDT region

Fish Habitat Areas

A Fish Habitat Area (FHA) is a spatially defined area of inshore or estuarine fish habitat which contains values that are important to sustaining local and regional fish stocks and fisheries. FHAs are specifically protected under the provisions of the Fisheries Act 1994 administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F)

Dugong Protected Areas

Restrict the use of commercial netting and mesh netting in Dugong Protected Areas (DPA).  In the BDT region these are in Cleveland Bay and Bowling Green Bay. Dugong Protection Areas are declared in legislation under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992, and as Special Management Areas under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983 and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003.

Marine Parks

The BDTNRM coastal zone extends into a State Marine Park administered by QPWS under the Marine Parks Act 2004

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

BDTNRM region is within the Great Barrier Reef which is zoned for management purposes and includes:

• General Use Zones (light blue)
• Habitat Protection Zones (dark blue)
• Conservation Park Zones (yellow)
• Scientific Research Zones (orange [surrounding AIMS] or green with an orange outline [northern Orpheus Island])
• Marine National Park Zones (Green)
• Public Appreciation Special Management Areas (west of Cape Upstart National Park and southern Orpheus Island)

Please refer to the relevant zoning plans and regulations for details about GBRMPA zoning maps for the GBR Marine Park

Australia is home to most of the world’s dugongs which live in the warm tropical waters of our North. Dugongs, or sea cows, are marine mammals that can weigh up to 400kg and live for up to 70 years! Feeding mostly on seagrass, dugongs are known for their placid nature and unusual appearance. They spend most of their time in shallow waters and if you are lucky you may spot one very close to the shore. But unfortunately, like so many of our marine animals, dugongs are under the threat of declining populations and total disappearance in some areas. Listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’ under the World Conservation Union, the main threats to dugongs include coastal development resulting in declining water quality, boat traffic, loss of habitat (seagrass beds), hunting and entanglement in fishing nets. The Burdekin Dry Tropics region sports two Dugong protection Areas at Cleveland Bay and Bowling Green Bay, and a good place to visit if you’re keen to see a dugong is Beachmount at Wunjunga in the Burdekin.

For some more info on the Dugong, check out Peter Oliver’s song, The Dugong Rap .