Critical marine habitats in high risk areas, Torres Strait: Seo Reef to Kai-Wareg Reef: 2013 atlas
Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
[Extract] This atlas documents ecologically and economically valuable intertidal marine habitats between Seo Reef and Kai-Wareg Reef, eastward of the Great North East (GNE) Shipping Channel in the Torres Strait. Areas of seagrass, algae and benthic macro-invertebrate habitats were identified during the surveys as being highly sensitive to shipping accidents. The diversity of habitats and their near pristine condition makes this area particularly valuable, with the habitats described important for subsistence and commercial fisheries and regional biodiversity. Torres Strait is also recognised as having a particularly high risk of shipping accidents as reefs, islands and shoals are in close proximity to the GNE Shipping Channel. The combination of high frequency of shipping traffic, complex navigation through reefs and islands, and highly sensitive and diverse marine habitats means the Seo Reef to Kai-Wareg Reef region is highly vulnerable to shipping accidents and oil spills. The Torres Strait Regional Authority Land and Sea Management Unit in delivering the Environmental Management Program conduct a range of programs that focus on long-term monitoring of valuable habitat resources. The information in this atlas provides managers, rangers and community members a baseline on which habitat community monitoring programs could be established. Seagrass has been identified by managers and rangers as an area of particular interest, with rangers from many communities identifying long-term seagrass monitoring a key priority of the local ranger program. The information in this atlas also will be incorporated into the National Oil Spill Response Atlas to assist in the planning and management of shipping accidents in the Torres Strait.
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13/27
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68
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TropWATER, James Cook University
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Cairns, QLD, Australia
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