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Funded by <strong>the</strong>Marine Protected Areas ProgramAustralian Department <strong>of</strong>Environment and Heritageand <strong>the</strong> NSW Marine Parks Authority<strong>Broadscale</strong><strong>Biodiversity</strong><strong>Assessment</strong><strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>Marine BioregionFinal Report 2005D.A. Breen, R.P. Avery and N.M. Otway
This document has been prepared on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NSW Marine Parks Authority as a finalreport for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Bioregional <strong>Assessment</strong> Project.Research and collation <strong>of</strong> information presented were undertaken with Natural Heritage Trustfunding from <strong>the</strong> Australian Government Department <strong>of</strong> Environment and Heritage for <strong>the</strong>Marine Protected Areas Program at NSW Department <strong>of</strong> Primary Industries and <strong>the</strong> NSWMarine Parks Authority.Copyright in this report is vested in <strong>the</strong> State <strong>of</strong> NSW.ISBN 1 920812 26 1The views and opinions expressed in this report are those <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> authors and do not necessarilyreflect <strong>the</strong> views <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Commonwealth Government, <strong>the</strong> NSW Marine Parks Authority or <strong>the</strong>NSW Government.This report may be cited as:Breen, D.A. Avery, R.P. and Otway N.M. (2005). <strong>Broadscale</strong> biodiversity assessment <strong>of</strong> marineprotected areas in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> marine bioregion. Final report for <strong>the</strong> NSWMarine Parks Authority.
AcknowledgementsFor <strong>the</strong>ir comments, advice and assistance we gratefully acknowledge:Andrew Read, Tracey MacDonald, Bob Creese, Greg West, Samantha Hessey, FrancisDorman, Sarah-Jane Day, Danielle Morrison, Natalie Morrison, Vanessa Mansbridge, MichelleBelcher, Alan Genders, Melissa Walker, Brett Louden, Natalie Taffs, Bruce Pease, JaneFrances, Rob Williams, Steve Kennelly, Paul O’Connor, Wendy Stamp and Steve Dunn from<strong>the</strong> NSW Department <strong>of</strong> Primary Industries.Helen Muldoon from <strong>the</strong> NSW Marine Parks Authority.Rodney James, Simon Banks, Kevin Shanahan, Kelly Waples, Michael Wright, Bob Presseyand Mal Ridges from <strong>the</strong> NSW Department <strong>of</strong> Environment and Conservation.All o<strong>the</strong>r individuals and organisations who assisted by providing data, information and advice.
Table <strong>of</strong> ContentsTable <strong>of</strong> ContentsSummary ........................................................................................................................11 Introduction................................................................................................................31.1 Geographic extent.......................................................................................................................32 Existing MPAs in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion ................................................52.1 Marine parks ..............................................................................................................................92.2 Aquatic reserves .........................................................................................................................92.3 National parks and nature reserves ...........................................................................................92.4 Commonwealth MPAs..............................................................................................................103 Information and methods used in <strong>the</strong> assessment ..............................................113.1 An environmental classification <strong>of</strong> marine biodiversity for NSW...........................................113.1.1 Estuary ecosystem classes .................................................................................... 123.1.2 Ocean ecosystem classes ...................................................................................... 123.1.3 Seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitats........................................................... 123.1.4 Shallow subtidal reef habitats............................................................................... 133.1.5 Island habitats ...................................................................................................... 133.1.6 Shallow subtidal sediment habitats ....................................................................... 133.1.7 Intertidal beach habitats........................................................................................ 133.1.8 Intertidal rocky shore habitats............................................................................... 133.2 Data for individual species and o<strong>the</strong>r conservation values......................................................143.3 Condition, vulnerability and previous assessments .................................................................143.4 Systematic methods to evaluate areas with important biodiversity values .............................144 <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> identification criteria.....................................................................174.1 <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> comprehensiveness............................................................................................174.1.1 Estuarine ecosystems............................................................................................ 174.1.2 <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> wave dominated and intermittent estuaries .................................... 224.1.3 Ocean ecosystems ................................................................................................ 244.1.4 Oceanography - East Australian Current............................................................... 274.1.5 Seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitats........................................................... 294.1.6 Shallow subtidal reef............................................................................................ 354.1.7 Islands.................................................................................................................. 374.1.8 Shallow subtidal sand........................................................................................... 394.1.9 Intertidal beach..................................................................................................... 394.1.10 Intertidal rocky shore ........................................................................................... 404.1.11 <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> rocky intertidal communities......................................................... 424.1.12 Coastal rock platforms (Total Environment Centre).............................................. 444.2 Irreplaceability analysis for ecosystem and habitat units........................................................454.3 Representativeness - species .....................................................................................................494.3.1 Estuarine juvenile fish and invertebrate biodiversity............................................. 494.3.2 NSW DPI commercial catch data ......................................................................... 514.3.3 NSW DPI threatened species database.................................................................. 544.3.4 Threatened Grey Nurse Shark............................................................................... 56
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.3.5 Threatened birds - National Parks and Wildlife Service (DEC) .............................584.3.6 Significant areas for shorebirds and seabirds –Department <strong>of</strong> Environment andHeritage................................................................................................................654.3.7 Marine mammals and reptiles ...............................................................................684.4 Ecological importance, condition and vulnerability................................................................704.4.1 Ramsar sites - nationally and internationally important wetlands ..........................704.4.2 Directory <strong>of</strong> important wetlands in Australia.........................................................704.4.3 Independent inquiry into coastal lakes ..................................................................724.4.4 Environmental inventory <strong>of</strong> estuaries and coastal lagoons.....................................744.4.5 Australian Estuaries Database and <strong>the</strong> OzEstauries Database ................................764.4.6 Adjacent national parks and nature reserves..........................................................784.4.7 Wilderness............................................................................................................794.4.8 SEPP 14 wetlands.................................................................................................794.4.9 State forest............................................................................................................804.4.10 Land capability.....................................................................................................834.4.11 Built-up areas .......................................................................................................864.4.12 Acid Sulphate Soils ..............................................................................................864.4.13 Australian River and Catchment Condition Database (ARCCD) ...........................875 Areas with important biodiversity values..............................................................935.1 <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> – Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Section (Hunter River to North Head)...................................935.2 <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> – Sou<strong>the</strong>rn section (North Head to Shellharbour)....................................996 Conclusion.............................................................................................................1057 References .............................................................................................................107Appendix 1: Goals and criteria for marine protected areas ...............................113Glossary .....................................................................................................................125Abbreviations.............................................................................................................127
Table <strong>of</strong> ContentsList <strong>of</strong> FiguresFig. 1. Interim Marine and Coastal Regionalisation <strong>of</strong> Australia (IMCRA 1998) ......................... 4Fig. 2. NSW IMCRA bioregions. ................................................................................................ 4Fig. 3. Marine protected areas in NSW........................................................................................ 6Fig. 4. Marine protected areas, Ramsar sites and important wetlands. ......................................... 7Fig. 5. Intertidal protected areas in <strong>the</strong> Sydney region. ................................................................ 8Fig. 6. Large scale planning units and mapped estuarine and ocean ecosystem types................. 19Fig. 7a-d. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> estuarine ecosystem types in marine protected areas. .......................... 20Fig. 8a-s. Oblique aerial photographs <strong>of</strong> major estuaries. .......................................................... 21Fig. 9. Priority candidate aquatic reserves at Lake Macquarie and Fullerton Cove..................... 23Fig. 10. Priority candidate aquatic reserves at Dee Why Lagoon and Wamberal Lagoon . ......... 23Fig. 11a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> ocean depth zones in marine protected areas within 3nm. .................. 25Fig. 12a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> ocean depth zones in marine protected areas for Commonwealthwaters .......................................................................................................................... 26Fig. 13. Mean sea surface temperature <strong>of</strong>f NSW coast averaged for summer and winter............ 28Fig. 14. <strong>Broadscale</strong> oceanographic processes <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> NSW coast............................................... 28Fig. 15a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitat in marine protected areas.. 30Fig. 16. Mapped habitat units between <strong>the</strong> Hunter River and Tuggerah Lakes. .......................... 31Fig. 17. Mapped habitat units between Tuggerah Lakes and Sydney Harbour............................ 32Fig. 18. Mapped habitat units between Sydney Harbour and Port Hacking................................ 33Fig. 19. Mapped habitat units between Port Hacking and Shellharbour...................................... 34Fig. 20. Area <strong>of</strong> mapped shallow reef for sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast. ............................................. 36Fig. 21a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> total, inshore and <strong>of</strong>fshore islands ..................................................... 38Fig. 22a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> mapped inshore sub-tidal sand, intertidal beach and intertidal rockyshore .......................................................................................................................... 41Fig. 23. Candidate rocky intertidal aquatic reserve at Towoon Bay .......................................... 43Fig. 24. Candidate rocky intertidal aquatic reserve at Tudibaring Head. .................................... 43Fig. 25. Candidate rocky intertidal aquatic reserve at Brickyard Point....................................... 43Fig. 26. Summed irreplaceability <strong>of</strong> fine-scale (4km 2 ) planning units for ecosystem and habitattypes .......................................................................................................................... 46Fig. 27. Summed irreplaceability scores for estuaries................................................................ 47Fig. 28. Summed irreplaceability scores for sections <strong>of</strong> coast ................................................... 48Fig. 29a-h. Summed irreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong> juvenile fish and invertebrates.......... 50Fig. 30. Summed irreplaceability, number <strong>of</strong> species and commercial catch for estuaries .......... 52Fig. 31. Summed irreplaceability, number <strong>of</strong> species and commercial catch for ocean ports...... 53Fig. 32. Maximum numbers <strong>of</strong> Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus) observed at dive sites. .. 57Fig. 33. Critical habitat for <strong>the</strong> Little Penguin in North Sydney Harbour. .................................. 62
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig. 34. Number <strong>of</strong> threatened bird species, sightings and summed irreplaceability for estuaries.63Fig. 35. Number <strong>of</strong> threatened bird species, sightings and summed irreplaceability for oceancoast ..........................................................................................................................64Fig. 36. Area, number <strong>of</strong> species, number <strong>of</strong> birds and summed irreplaceability for shore birdlocations. ........................................................................................................................66Fig. 37. Area, number <strong>of</strong> species, number <strong>of</strong> birds and summed irreplaceability for breedingislands ..........................................................................................................................67Fig. 38. Percentage <strong>of</strong> lands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> estuaries in national parks or nature reserves,wilderness areas, State Environmental Planning Policy 14 (wetland) areas and StateForest. ..........................................................................................................................81Fig. 39. Percentage area <strong>of</strong> land within 1 km <strong>of</strong> coast in national park or nature reserve, SEPP14 areas, built up areas and disturbed or high risk acid sulphate soil areas ......................82Fig. 40. Percentage <strong>of</strong> lands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> estuaries suited to different land use and in built upareas. ..........................................................................................................................84Fig. 41. Percentage <strong>of</strong> lands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> coast suitable for land use......................................85Fig. 42. Percentage area <strong>of</strong> lands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> estuaries with disturbed or high risk acidsulphate soils and mean Australian River and Catchment Condition indices for estuaries 89Fig. 43. Mean Australian River and Catchment Condition indices (continued) for estuaries.......90Fig. 44. Mean Australian River and Catchment Condition indices within 5 km <strong>of</strong> coast.............91Fig. 45. Mean Australian River and Catchment Condition indices within 5 km <strong>of</strong> coast (cont.)..92
Table <strong>of</strong> ContentsList <strong>of</strong> TablesTable 1. Existing MPAs in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion........................................................ 5Table 2. Delphic rankings and priorities for estuarine aquatic reserve candidates. ..................... 22Table 3. Sightings <strong>of</strong> threatened fish species in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion....................... 55Table 4. Threatened intertidal waders and seabirds.................................................................... 58Table 5. Nesting sites <strong>of</strong> Little Tern in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> ................................................... 59Table 6. Important wetlands in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion .............................................. 71Table 7. Classification <strong>of</strong> coastal lakes in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion .............................. 73Table 8. Disturbance scores for estuaries in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion............................ 75Table 9. Condition <strong>of</strong> estuaries listed in <strong>the</strong> OzEstuaries Database. ........................................... 77
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion
SummarySummaryThis report examines broadscale patterns <strong>of</strong> biodiversity in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> marinebioregion and identifies areas that should be considered when selecting a system <strong>of</strong> marineprotected areas (MPAs). The information, criteria and methods applied in <strong>the</strong> report may alsoassist in ongoing assessment, selection, and management <strong>of</strong> MPAs in NSW. Similarassessments have been completed for <strong>the</strong> Manning <strong>Shelf</strong>, <strong>the</strong> Batemans <strong>Shelf</strong> and NSWsections <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tweed-Moreton and <strong>the</strong> Tw<strong>of</strong>old <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregions.The <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion extends south from <strong>the</strong> Hunter River at Newcastle (32 o 54’S)to Shellharbour (34 o 35’S). This bioregion is part <strong>of</strong> a classification <strong>of</strong> 65 Australian marinebioregions and provinces that toge<strong>the</strong>r provide a national framework for consistent, ecologicallybased planning <strong>of</strong> MPAs. NSW contains 5 bioregions and 1 province. All marine bioregionsinclude all estuarine, coastal and <strong>of</strong>fshore waters to <strong>the</strong> edge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continental shelf at <strong>the</strong> 200metre depth contour. This report focuses on NSW state waters within 3 nautical miles <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>coast.Information used in this report was derived from:• national criteria for <strong>the</strong> identification <strong>of</strong> MPAs• a broadscale atlas <strong>of</strong> NSW marine ecosystems and habitats• existing broadscale scientific surveys <strong>of</strong> habitats, communities and species• existing data, maps, aerial photographs, literature and conservation assessments• new data coverages and analyses generated for this study• ecological guidelines for reserve design• discussions with scientists, managers and <strong>the</strong> community.<strong>Broadscale</strong> (10’s <strong>of</strong> km 2 ) and fine-scale (4 km 2 ) planning units were used to identify areas withimportant biodiversity values using over 50 specific criteria derived from state and nationalguidelines. <strong>Assessment</strong>s were assisted by mapped displays and analyses in a GeographicInformation System (GIS) and irreplaceability analysis using C-Plan reserve selection s<strong>of</strong>tware(NPWS 2001). Given <strong>the</strong> uncertainty involved in assessing biodiversity and <strong>the</strong> associatedcomplex issues, a strong emphasis was placed on presenting information and methods toidentify important areas.NSW waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion feature approximately 24 estuaries, includingdrowned river valleys such as Sydney Harbour and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, barrier estuariessuch as Lake Macquarie, coastal lakes such as Wamberal and Dee Why lagoons, and a largeembayment, Botany Bay. About 2000 km 2 <strong>of</strong> oceanic and estuarine waters occur within <strong>the</strong>jurisdiction <strong>of</strong> NSW in this bioregion. Ocean water depths typically reach 40 to 60 m within <strong>the</strong>3 nm limit <strong>of</strong> state waters although depths <strong>of</strong> almost 120 m are reached <strong>of</strong>f Botany Bay.Areas with important biodiversity valuesThis report identifies many areas within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion with importantbiodiversity values. These areas typically contribute to meeting criteria for comprehensivenessand representativeness for most mapped ecosystems, habitats and species distributions. In mostcases <strong>the</strong>se areas: have a high degree <strong>of</strong> naturalness and catchment protection; include areasrecommended from previous conservation assessments; consistently score highly in quantitativeanalyses for a range <strong>of</strong> criteria; and, complement existing MPAs and conservation managementstrategies.1
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionIn <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion <strong>the</strong>re are many important areas which may be relativelyunaffected by human impacts. While some criteria are quite restrictive in what areas qualify forprotection (e.g. representation <strong>of</strong> ocean embayments), o<strong>the</strong>rs are more flexible in <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong>areas potentially suitable (e.g. representation <strong>of</strong> seagrass and intertidal rocky shores).The options for exactly where and how MPAs can be established are <strong>the</strong>refore relativelyflexible for all but a few criteria. One way to effectively conserve a range <strong>of</strong> differentecosystems, habitats and species for biodiversity and sustainable use is through large, multipleusemarine parks. The exact nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> protection provided in multiple-use marine parks willdepend on subsequent zoning to protect different habitats and to address different threats, andoperational plans to regulate how activities are carried out.There are numerous important areas in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion and <strong>the</strong>se cannot all becontained in reserves. Never<strong>the</strong>less, this report identifies many important areas that should beconsidered in <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> future proposals for a network <strong>of</strong> MPAs (marine parks,national parks and nature reserves, and aquatic reserves). These areas are identified anddiscussed in Chapter 5 <strong>of</strong> this report.Many o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong>fshore areas <strong>of</strong> reef and sediment on <strong>the</strong> NSW shelf have not been mapped indetail and little is known <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> broadscale patterns in <strong>the</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> many <strong>of</strong>fshore biota.There may be many areas in deeper waters with significant values and <strong>the</strong>se require fur<strong>the</strong>rinvestigation.Existing marine protected areas in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion are described in Chapters 2and 5 <strong>of</strong> this report. The important areas identified in this assessment and <strong>the</strong> group <strong>of</strong> existingMPAs can now be used to develop MPA proposals for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion. TheseMPA proposals should aim to represent geographic variation in biodiversity throughout <strong>the</strong>bioregions, and assist in fulfilling <strong>the</strong> principles <strong>of</strong> comprehensiveness, adequacy, andrepresentativeness. Where possible, selection <strong>of</strong> MPAs should aim to include neighbouringhabitats to increase <strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> biodiversity represented and accommodate <strong>the</strong> movement <strong>of</strong>organisms among <strong>the</strong>se areas.2
Introduction1 IntroductionThe NSW Marine Parks Authority aims to establish and manage a comprehensive, adequate andrepresentative system <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas (MPAs) to help conserve marine biodiversityand maintain marine ecosystem processes (NSW Marine Parks Authority 2001).The <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregional assessment is one <strong>of</strong> several projects to systematicallyassess broadscale patterns <strong>of</strong> biodiversity within each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> five marine bioregions in NSW(Fig. 1 & Fig. 2) and identify where additional MPAs may be required.Scientists and conservation managers have identified 65 Australian marine bioregions andprovinces (Interim Marine and Coastal Regionalisation <strong>of</strong> Australia [IMCRA] 1998) to helpplan a national system <strong>of</strong> MPAs. Including <strong>the</strong> characteristic biodiversity <strong>of</strong> each bioregionwithin a system <strong>of</strong> MPAs aims to ensure that marine ecosystems are effectively managed forconservation <strong>of</strong> biodiversity and sustainable use.National guidelines and criteria have been developed to identify and select MPAs within eachbioregion (ANZECC TFMPA 1998a, 1998b, 1999). This report details <strong>the</strong> broadscale methodsand information used to identify areas with important biodiversity values in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong><strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> ecological criteria alone (see Appendix 1). A separate selectionprocess is now required for more detailed site assessment and consideration <strong>of</strong> social, economicand cultural values.1.1 Geographic extentThe bioregion includes estuaries, coast and <strong>of</strong>fshore waters out to <strong>the</strong> continental shelf break(approximately <strong>the</strong> 200 m depth contour) from <strong>the</strong> Hunter River at Stockton (32 o 54’S), south toShellharbour (34 o 35’S, Fig. 2). This report focuses on NSW state waters within 3 nautical miles<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coast as defined by <strong>the</strong> Australian Maritime Boundary Information System (AMBIS) dataprovided by Geoscience Australia (Commonwealth <strong>of</strong> Australia 2001).The 1:100,000 map sheets for <strong>the</strong> bioregion are:Newcastle 9232 Penrith 9030Lake Macquarie 9231 Port Hacking 9129Gosford 9131 Wollongong 9029Sydney 9130 Kiama 90283
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig. 1. Interim Marine and Coastal Regionalisation <strong>of</strong> Australia (IMCRA 1998)N a m b u c c a H e a d sT w e e d - M o r e t o nM a n n i n g S h e l fS t o c k t o nS y d n e yH a w k e s b u r y S h e l fS h e l l h a r b o u rT a t h r aB a t e m a n s S h e l fT w o f o l d S h e l fN S WM a r i n eB i o r e g i o n sFig. 2. NSW IMCRA bioregions (IMCRA 1998)4
Existing MPAs in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Bioregion2 Existing MPAs in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregionThree types <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas (IUCN 1994) are recognised in NSW:• marine parks - managed under <strong>the</strong> Marine Parks Act 1997 by <strong>the</strong> NSW Marine ParksAuthority (NSWMPA)• aquatic reserves - managed by <strong>the</strong> NSW Department <strong>of</strong> Primary Industries (DPI) under <strong>the</strong>Fisheries Management Act 1994• and <strong>the</strong> marine components <strong>of</strong> national parks and nature reserves - managed by <strong>the</strong>NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NSW Department <strong>of</strong>Environment and Conservation (DEC), under <strong>the</strong> National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.The locations <strong>of</strong> MPAs in NSW (Fig. 3) and <strong>the</strong>ir extent in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion(Table 1 & Fig. 4) are described below. A summary <strong>of</strong> management arrangements for <strong>the</strong>seMPAs is also provided below, but described in more detail in Developing a representativesystem <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas - an overview (NSW Marine Parks Authority 2001), at <strong>the</strong>Marine Parks Authority website (www.mpa.nsw.gov.au) and in a review by Pollard (1997).Table 1. Existing MPAs in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregionMPA type Name Area (km 2 )Aquatic reserves Barrenjoey 0.3Narrabeen 0.1Long Reef 0.8Cabbage Tree Bay 0.2North Sydney Harbour 2.6Bronte-Coogee 0.4Cape Banks 0.2Towra Point 14Boat Harbour 0.7Shiprock 0.02A total area <strong>of</strong> 19.3 km 2 representing 0.96% <strong>of</strong> NSW marine waters in <strong>the</strong> bioregion.National parks and nature reserves Bouddi NP 2.82Brisbane Water NP 0.09Cockle Bay NR 0.15Georges River NP 0.13Hexham Swamp NR 0.02Kooragang NR 25.02Ku-ring-gai Chase NP 11.04Lane Cove NP 0.03Marramarra NP 0.62Muogamarra NR 0.43Newington NR 0.35Pelican Island NR 0.51Rileys Island NR 0.09Royal NP 1.16Sydney Harbour NP 0.005Towra Point NR 1.29Wamberal Lagoon NR 0.51A total area <strong>of</strong> 44.27 km 2 representing 2.2% <strong>of</strong> NSW marine waters in <strong>the</strong> bioregion.5
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig. 3. Marine protected areas in NSW (map provided by R. James, NPWS).6
Existing MPAs in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> BioregionFig. 4. Marine protected areas (aquatic reserves and marine components <strong>of</strong> national parks andnature reserves), Ramsar sites and important wetlands in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.7
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig. 5. Intertidal protected areas in <strong>the</strong> Sydney region (DPI 2005).8
Existing MPAs in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Bioregion2.1 Marine parksThe Marine Parks Act 1997 aims to conserve marine biological diversity, habitats andecological processes in marine parks. Where consistent with <strong>the</strong>se objectives, it also aims toprovide for <strong>the</strong> ecologically sustainable use <strong>of</strong> fish and marine vegetation (includingcommercial and recreational fishing) and provide opportunities for public appreciation,understanding and enjoyment <strong>of</strong> marine parks. Marine parks also assist in managing pollution,visitor use, activities on adjacent lands, marine pests and a wide range <strong>of</strong> environments, speciesand human activities.Four marine parks have been declared in New South Wales so far (Fig. 3). Solitary Islands,Jervis Bay, Lord Howe and Cape Byron Marine Parks are large, multiple-use MPAs, rangingfrom approximately 200 km 2 to 700 km 2 in area. These marine parks are zoned to allow for arange <strong>of</strong> human activities, including commercial and recreational fishing. They also includesanctuary zones where plants and animals are fully protected. For example, 12% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SolitaryIslands, 27% <strong>of</strong> Lord Howe Island and 20% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jervis Bay Marine Parks are sanctuary zones.As well as zoning and o<strong>the</strong>r forms <strong>of</strong> regulation, marine parks use education, consultation,research, monitoring and best practices to manage what activities occur and how activities canbe carried out sustainably.Large marine parks attempt to include a range <strong>of</strong> interconnected ecosystems and habitats toprovide for a greater continuity in ecological processes, more insulation from external threats,increased protection for mobile and widely dispersed populations, and a capacity to manage awider range <strong>of</strong> impacts. Having many features spread over broad areas within a large marinepark also provides for greater flexibility in multiple-use zoning, with more opportunities tomeet community and stakeholder requirements while meeting primary conservation goals.2.2 Aquatic reservesAquatic reserves aim to conserve <strong>the</strong> biodiversity <strong>of</strong> fish and marine vegetation, but may als<strong>of</strong>ocus specifically on <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> fish habitat, <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> threatened species,populations and ecological communities, and on providing for education and scientific research.There are currently 13 aquatic reserves in New South Wales. Most are relatively small (2–150ha), and, with <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> Towra Point (which includes 1,400 ha <strong>of</strong> estuary, seagrass andwetland), <strong>the</strong>y include mainly rocky intertidal shores and inshore reefs and sediments. Theyhave an important role in complementing <strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> ecosystems found in o<strong>the</strong>r MPAs, and inaddressing specific issues and concerns for biodiversity.In <strong>the</strong> Sydney region, Intertidal Protected Areas occur at several locations (Fig. 5). However<strong>the</strong>se do not strictly qualify as marine protected areas as <strong>the</strong>y are not permanent, but areestablished by temporary fishing closures that need to be renewed every five years.2.3 National parks and nature reservesMarine protected areas also occur where national parks and nature reserves are specificallygazetted over subtidal or intertidal areas. In New South Wales <strong>the</strong>re are 62 national parks andnature reserves with recognised marine components.National parks and nature reserves differ substantially from aquatic reserves and marine parksin that <strong>the</strong>re is no zoning or regulation for ‘multiple use’. However, while <strong>the</strong>se areas canprotect animals, vegetation and substrata, <strong>the</strong>y cannot directly protect fish or aquaticinvertebrates from fishing. Direct protection <strong>of</strong> fish can be achieved by arrangement with <strong>the</strong>NSW Department <strong>of</strong> Primary Industries through aquatic reserves and fishing closures (as occursfor <strong>the</strong> marine components <strong>of</strong> Bouddi National Park).9
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionConservation <strong>of</strong> marine species in national parks and nature reserves can also be enhancedthrough <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> habitat and <strong>the</strong> general management <strong>of</strong> use including control overmoorings, motor vessel access and <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> marinas and o<strong>the</strong>r structures, and byprotecting adjacent terrestrial habitat. MPAs within national parks and nature reserves exist ascomponents <strong>of</strong> a broader terrestrial reserve system. Generally <strong>the</strong>y include large areas <strong>of</strong>intertidal and subtidal estuarine habitat and smaller areas <strong>of</strong> intertidal and subtidal coastalhabitat. Offshore ecosystems have not been, and are unlikely to be, targeted for protection.As a part <strong>of</strong> an integrated system <strong>of</strong> MPAs, national parks and nature reserves make acomplementary contribution to comprehensiveness, particularly in coastal and estuarine areas.The number and area <strong>of</strong> MPAs in national parks and nature reserves is substantial and severalare large enough (e.g. Myall Lakes at 97 km 2 ) to include a range <strong>of</strong> marine habitats andecosystem processes.Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir relationship with terrestrial reserves, <strong>the</strong>se areas bridge gaps in protection forsaltmarsh, mangrove, rocky shore, beach and o<strong>the</strong>r transitional areas <strong>of</strong> coast. The associatedterrestrial reserves also provide protection for catchments and coastal ecological processes thatcritically affect biodiversity in <strong>the</strong> land and sea. In particular, <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> shoreline andcatchment from habitat clearing, development and pollution sources provides an importantbuffer for nearshore environments. Agreements with o<strong>the</strong>r management agencies (e.g. <strong>the</strong> NSWDepartment <strong>of</strong> Primary Industries) can provide direct protection for fish in MPAs and assist inintegrating conservation strategies for marine and terrestrial environments.The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 requires a plan <strong>of</strong> management to be prepared fornational parks and nature reserves as soon as practicable after reservation. However, <strong>the</strong>se plansdo not usually deal specifically with <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas or <strong>the</strong> marinebiodiversity present. Common issues for <strong>the</strong>se areas currently include <strong>the</strong> control <strong>of</strong> vehicleaccess and dogs on beaches and intertidal areas, which may threaten <strong>the</strong> conservation <strong>of</strong>seabirds, waders and o<strong>the</strong>r biodiversity.2.4 Commonwealth MPAsThe NSW State jurisdiction includes only part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion, whichextends well beyond <strong>the</strong> three nautical mile state limit to <strong>the</strong> edge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continental shelf breakat <strong>the</strong> 200 m depth contour. These areas beyond state waters include ecological gradients across<strong>the</strong> shelf, shelf break and slope associated with a distinct but largely undescribed diversity <strong>of</strong>organisms and processes with widespread importance to oceanic ecosystems. Dramatic changesin depth and sea floor topography create unique habitats for benthic invertebrates and demersalfishes and produce unique oceanographic conditions. Currents and up-welling in <strong>the</strong>se areashave important roles in <strong>the</strong> feeding and migration patterns <strong>of</strong> many fishes, invertebrates, birds,reptiles and mammals.MPAs beyond <strong>the</strong> three nautical mile limit <strong>of</strong> state territorial waters are managed by <strong>the</strong>Commonwealth Government through <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Environment and Heritage. Currently<strong>the</strong> Solitary Islands and Lord Howe Island Marine Parks are declared out to <strong>the</strong> three nauticalmile state limit with complementary Commonwealth MPAs established fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong>fshore.Planning for <strong>the</strong> Commonwealth sections <strong>of</strong> Australia’s marine bioregions is currentlyunderway through <strong>the</strong> National Oceans Office (www.oceans.gov.au) and <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong>Environment and Heritage (www.deh.gov.au).10
Information and M ethods used in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong>3 Information and methods used in <strong>the</strong> assessmentThe methods used to assess broadscale patterns in marine biodiversity and identify potentialsites for MPAs are summarised below with more detailed descriptions in Breen et al (2003,2004, 2005), Creese and Breen (2003) and in Appendix 1.Information used to identify areas with important biodiversity values included:• MPA goals and identification and selection criteria (see Appendix 1)• an environmental classification <strong>of</strong> marine ecosystems, habitats and communities• available broadscale surveys <strong>of</strong> marine communities and species• derived measures from related conservation assessments• maps <strong>of</strong> existing marine protected areas.• summary statistics displayed in graphs and tables• Geographical Information System (GIS) maps and spatial analyses• irreplaceability analysis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> potential contributions <strong>of</strong> sites towards conservation goals• a review <strong>of</strong> literature and previous assessments.3.1 An environmental classification <strong>of</strong> marine biodiversity for NSWAn environmental classification developed in conjunction with <strong>the</strong> NSW Marine ParksAuthority Research Committee was used to represent progressively finer scales <strong>of</strong> biologicalvariation in NSW marine environments. Levels in <strong>the</strong> hierarchy are:• IMCRA bioregions (Fig. 2)• broadscale ‘ecosystem’ units based on estuary type and cross-shelf depth zones (Figs. 5-8)• small scale ‘habitat’ units based on substrata, tidal exposure and vegetation (Figs. 24-27)• finer scale ‘community’ units from physical surrogates, dominant biota or speciesassociations• estimated distributions and abundances <strong>of</strong> species and populations.The methods used to map marine ecosystems, habitats and community level attributes aresummarised below, with a brief description and justification <strong>of</strong> each unit. The assessmentfocused on mapping variation at <strong>the</strong> ecosystem and habitat level. The area, number and size <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>se ‘ecosystem’ and ‘habitat’ units were <strong>the</strong>n used to assess <strong>the</strong> comprehensiveness <strong>of</strong>existing and potential networks <strong>of</strong> MPAs.The mapping process was based largely on <strong>the</strong> modification <strong>of</strong> existing data into an appropriateGIS format. The principal constraint on <strong>the</strong> mapping was <strong>the</strong> scarcity <strong>of</strong> biological data forcommunity and species level variation across <strong>the</strong> bioregion, and <strong>the</strong> absence <strong>of</strong> detailed maps <strong>of</strong>subtidal seabed (i.e. reef and sediments) beyond <strong>the</strong> nearshore zone.In general, methods reflected <strong>the</strong> overall urgency for basic data and a significant by-product <strong>of</strong>this work was <strong>the</strong> identification <strong>of</strong> gaps in our knowledge <strong>of</strong> marine biodiversity in New SouthWales. However, by basing its assessment on a broadscale environmental classification, thisproject avoids many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> biases inherent in examining only those areas where detailedresearch information is available. The ecological classification presented here lays foundationsfor future research and is general enough to incorporate new information as it becomesavailable.Once areas with important biodiversity values are identified at <strong>the</strong> bioregional level, finer-scaledata will be required for planning, management, research and monitoring. The broadscale11
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregionenvironmental classification provides a framework for <strong>the</strong>se studies and will assist in applyingMPA objectives to planning, reserve establishment and management.3.1.1 Estuary ecosystem classesCoastal water bodies from <strong>the</strong> NSW Waterways (now NSW Maritime) GIS coast coveragewere classified on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> coastal morphology, entrance type and tidal exchange accordingto Roy et al. (2001) who associate <strong>the</strong>se differences with characteristic ecosystem processes andrelated assemblages <strong>of</strong> organisms.The classes include:I. Ocean embayments. These semi-enclosed bays are transitional zones between estuaries and<strong>the</strong> ocean and include communities <strong>of</strong> both environments. They generally have low turbidity,ocean tidal ranges and salinities, and include sandy areas with seagrass beds in protectedlocations (e.g. Jervis Bay, Batemans Bay, Botany Bay).II. Tide dominated, drowned river valleys. These are tidal, generally deep, narrow estuarieswith rocky sides, and sometimes with large, submerged, sand deltas extending up <strong>the</strong> estuary(e.g. <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Port Jackson, Port Hacking).III. Wave dominated barrier estuaries. Young barrier estuaries in <strong>the</strong> early stages <strong>of</strong> infillinghave large shallow lagoons with dense seagrass beds away from <strong>the</strong> main tidal channels (e.g.Lake Macquarie, Wallis Lake, St Georges Basin). Mature estuaries in <strong>the</strong> late stages <strong>of</strong> infillingform a riverine estuary with extensive flood plains and coastal wetlands. They <strong>of</strong>ten havenarrow, elongated entrance channels and broad barrier sand flats (e.g. Hunter River).IV. Intermittent lagoons and creeks. These are intermittently open to <strong>the</strong> ocean, are usuallyassociated with small catchments and small fluvial inputs, and are <strong>of</strong>ten non-tidal and brackish.Mangroves are generally absent, with sea rush (Juncus kraussii) <strong>of</strong>ten dominant. Benthicspecies diversity is <strong>of</strong>ten low, but <strong>the</strong>re are sometimes extreme variations in abundance (e.g.Narrabeen Lakes, Durras Lake, Smiths Lake).V. Brackish barrier lakes. These bodies <strong>of</strong> fresh to brackish water have only a tenuousconnection to <strong>the</strong> sea and are dominated by freshwater species. They are relatively rare in NSW(e.g. Myall Lakes).3.1.2 Ocean ecosystem classesOceanic ecosystem types were derived from depth contours digitised by NSW Waterways fromAustralian Hydrographic Office nautical charts. The contours were used to divide <strong>the</strong> shelf int<strong>of</strong>our broad depth zones: 0-20 m; 20-60 m; 60-200 m; and waters deeper than 200 m. Thesezones aim to account for biotic and abiotic variation across <strong>the</strong> shelf in algae (Womersley1981), sponges (Roberts and Davis 1996), benthic fauna (Coleman et al. 1997; Gray 1997), fishassemblages (Andrew et al. 1997), light, wave action, sediments, currents, temperature, salinityand water chemistry (Rochford 1975; Godfrey et al. 1980; Colwell et al. 1981; Chapman et al.1982; Skene and Roy 1986; Short 1993).3.1.3 Seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitatsThe distributions <strong>of</strong> seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitats were estimated from a GIScoverage digitised by NPWS from paper maps produced by West et al. (1985). Mangrove andsaltmarsh communities contribute to estuaries through nutrient cycling, trapping <strong>of</strong> sedimentsand detritus and providing habitat for characteristic and highly diverse assemblages <strong>of</strong> fish,birds and invertebrates (Hutchings and Recher 1982; Saenger 1999). Seagrass beds are widelyrecognised for <strong>the</strong>ir role in providing habitat for diverse assemblages <strong>of</strong> flora and fauna (Belland Pollard 1989; Howard and Edgar 1999; Hannan and Williams 1998).12
Information and M ethods used in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong>3.1.4 Shallow subtidal reef habitatsAreas <strong>of</strong> shallow nearshore reef systems and intervening sediment patches were estimated fromcoverages mapped to a depth <strong>of</strong> 10-20 m by Ron Avery (DEC) using 1:10,000 – 1:25,000 scaleaerial photographs provided by <strong>the</strong> NSW Department <strong>of</strong> Infrastructure, Planning and NaturalResources (DIPNR). Shallow areas <strong>of</strong> reef and shoal fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong>fshore were digitised fromAustralian Hydrographic Office nautical charts.Subtidal rocky reef areas in NSW provide habitat for distinctive assemblages <strong>of</strong> invertebrates,algae and fishes (Andrew 1999; Underwood et al. 1991). However, <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> aerialphotographs to map subtidal habitats is limited to nearshore areas and hydrographic chartsfocus only on those reefs and shoals which approach <strong>the</strong> sea surface and pose a hazard forshipping. It is recommended that a more comprehensive assessment <strong>of</strong> existing seabed data ismade and that, where required, additional seabed surveys are carried out to accuratelycharacterise <strong>the</strong>se environments.3.1.5 Island habitatsAreas <strong>of</strong> islands and emergent rocks were estimated from a GIS coverage generated for <strong>the</strong>Australian Maritime Boundary Information System (AMBIS) held by Geoscience Australia(Commonwealth <strong>of</strong> Australia 2001). Islands, emergent rocks and surrounding waters provideunique and important habitats for seabirds, marine mammals, fish, invertebrates and o<strong>the</strong>rspecies. Fronts, wakes and o<strong>the</strong>r oceanographic features that extend beyond rocks and islands(Cresswell et al. 1983) are important for <strong>the</strong> feeding ecology <strong>of</strong> many species and <strong>the</strong> transportand retention <strong>of</strong> larvae (Kingsford and Choat 1986; Kingsford 1990; Kingsford and Su<strong>the</strong>rs1994, 1996; Wolanski 2000).3.1.6 Shallow subtidal sediment habitatsAreas <strong>of</strong> nearshore subtidal sediments were estimated from <strong>the</strong> GIS coverage described abovefor subtidal reef. Benthic fauna are known to vary significantly with depth and grain size (Pooreet al. 1985 in Ward and Blaber 1994; Coleman et al. 1997), but <strong>the</strong>re is currently little broadscale information on <strong>the</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> sediments that can be easily accessed. While cross shelfvariation in sediment distribution is at least partly represented by ocean depth zones, fur<strong>the</strong>rresearch and collation <strong>of</strong> existing data is required in this area.3.1.7 Intertidal beach habitatsThe difference between high and low water marks in <strong>the</strong> Digital Cadastre Database and1:25,000 topographic maps from <strong>the</strong> Land and Property Information Division (LPI) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NSWDepartment <strong>of</strong> Lands were used to produce a GIS coverage <strong>of</strong> intertidal areas and estimateareas <strong>of</strong> intertidal beach habitat. Justification for <strong>the</strong> classification <strong>of</strong> beaches in NSW isprovided by Hacking (1998a, 1998b) and based on relationships described in Brown andMcLachlan (1990).3.1.8 Intertidal rocky shore habitatsThe GIS coverage described in section 3.1.7 for beach habitats was also used to estimate <strong>the</strong>area <strong>of</strong> intertidal rocky shore habitats. Field surveys by Otway (1999) were used to scoresections <strong>of</strong> rocky shore for <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> five “community” level substrata (platform, boulder,cobble, pool, crevice) that have been correlated with <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> species present for a givenshore.13
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion3.2 Data for individual species and o<strong>the</strong>r conservation valuesMore detailed information was available for some communities and species including surveys<strong>of</strong> estuarine vegetation (West et al. 1985) and more recent surveys <strong>of</strong> juvenile fish biodiversityin estuaries (R. J. Williams pers. comm.), intertidal rocky shores (Otway 1999; Otway andMorrison, in prep.) and threatened Grey Nurse Shark (Otway and Parker 2000). O<strong>the</strong>r, lesssystematic data sources for species include analyses <strong>of</strong> commercial fish catch data (Pease1999), and sightings databases kept by DPI and DEC.3.3 Condition, vulnerability and previous assessmentsThere is little direct information available on condition, threat or vulnerability for marineenvironments across whole bioregions. However, data sets indicative <strong>of</strong> condition, potentialthreats and vulnerability were available for adjoining terrestrial areas. These included GIS maps<strong>of</strong> national parks and nature reserves, state forest, wetlands, wilderness, land capability, built-upareas, acid sulphate soils, and <strong>the</strong> Australian River and Catchment Condition Database (Stein etal. 2000). Indices <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> percentage area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se attributes within immediate shoreline areaswere calculated for estuaries and sections <strong>of</strong> coast.The results <strong>of</strong> previous conservation assessments for wetlands (ANCA 1996), estuaries (Belland Edwards 1980; Digby et al. 1998; Frances 2000; Healthy Rivers Commission 2002a,2002b), and rock platforms (Short 1995; Otway 1999) were also summarised and related toMPA identification and selection criteria along with descriptive information from coastalmanagement plans.3.4 Systematic methods to evaluate areas with important biodiversityvaluesA systematic approach was used to help document alternatives, and interpret <strong>the</strong> many criteriaand sources <strong>of</strong> information used to assess areas with important biodiversity values. Themethods used included summary statistics, GIS maps and spatial analyses, irreplaceabilityanalyses and reviews <strong>of</strong> literature and existing conservation plans.Two types <strong>of</strong> spatial planning units were used to help summarise information: fine-scale (4km 2 ) hexagonal plan units (Fig. ) and relatively large, broadscale units representing wholeestuaries and sections <strong>of</strong> coast and shelf (Fig. 6). The small planning units were useful forsummarising local patterns, and for identifying small scale planning options. The large planningunits were more useful for summarising broadscale regional patterns, analysing patchy data andidentifying areas for consideration for increased protection at wider scales.The reserve selection s<strong>of</strong>tware “C-Plan” (NPWS 2001) was used to compute 'irreplaceability'for ecosystem and habitat classes (estuary types, ocean depth zones, seagrass, mangrove,saltmarsh, rocky intertidal shore, beach, reef, and islands), juvenile fish and invertebrate data(R. J. Williams, DPI, pers. comm.), commercial fish catch data (DPI), bird sightings data(NPWS) and threatened species data (NPWS and DPI).The s<strong>of</strong>tware calculates statistical estimates <strong>of</strong> 'irreplaceability'to evaluate <strong>the</strong> likelihood that aplanning unit is required to represent specified conservation values within a network <strong>of</strong>protected areas (Pressey et al. 1994; Ferrier et al. 2000). Links between C-Plan and ArcViewGIS allow operators to quickly map <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> analyses and include or exclude potential sitesfrom potential protected area networks while assessing <strong>the</strong> consequences <strong>of</strong> alternativedecisions (Fig. ).Criteria, data and areas identified in this assessment can also be used in multiple criteriaanalyses (Criterium Decision Plus, InfoHarvest 2000) to assess a range <strong>of</strong> options as a function<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> combined scores for many criteria and priorities. These methods have been widelyapplied elsewhere in management, environmental impact assessment (Edwards 1977;14
Information and M ethods used in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong>www.expertchoice.com), fisheries (Mardle and Pascoe 1999) and in <strong>the</strong> selection andmanagement <strong>of</strong> reserve networks (Fernandes 1996; Rothley 1997). The techniques allow for <strong>the</strong>weighting <strong>of</strong> criteria, calculation <strong>of</strong> trade <strong>of</strong>fs, representation <strong>of</strong> uncertainty, sensitivity analyses<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> relative influence <strong>of</strong> criteria, and <strong>the</strong> ability to combine and assess alternative models,data and sources <strong>of</strong> opinion.15
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion16
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4 <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> identification criteriaThis section describes each information source, those criteria addressed, <strong>the</strong> measures used toassess <strong>the</strong> criteria and <strong>the</strong> degree to which different areas meet those criteria 1 .4.1 <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> comprehensiveness4.1.1 Estuarine ecosystemsData sourcesRoy et al. (2001). “Structure and function <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>ast Australian estuaries.”GIS coverage <strong>of</strong> estuaries from NSW Waterways (now NSW Maritime).Oblique aerial photos from DIPNR.Data descriptionGIS coverage <strong>of</strong> estuaries from NSW Waterways classified by estuary type from Roy et al.(2001).CriterionComprehensiveness<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresArea and number <strong>of</strong> different estuary types represented in marine protected areas.<strong>Assessment</strong>Of <strong>the</strong> 22 major estuaries assessed in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion classified according toRoy et al. (2001), <strong>the</strong>re was only one ocean embayment. However, <strong>the</strong>re were five tidedominated drowned river valleys, six wave dominated barrier estuaries and ten intermittentcoastal lagoons or creeks (Fig. 6, Fig. 7 & Fig. 8). Botany Bay was <strong>the</strong> only example <strong>of</strong> anocean embayment in <strong>the</strong> bioregion, with 14 km 2 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> estuary included within Towra PointAquatic Reserve and within Towra Point Nature Reserve. This represents 26% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area<strong>of</strong> this ecosystem type in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion (Fig. 7a).The <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River is <strong>the</strong> largest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> drowned river valleys in <strong>the</strong> bioregion, but PortJackson, Pittwater, Port Hacking and <strong>the</strong> Georges River are also substantial estuaries <strong>of</strong> thistype (Fig. 7b). Approximately 15 km 2 or 7% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> drowned river valleys in <strong>the</strong>bioregion is included in MPAs in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (Ku-ring-gai Chase and BrisbaneWater National Parks and Muogamarra Nature Reserve), Pittwater (Ku-ring-gai Chase NationalPark), Port Jackson (North Sydney Harbour Aquatic Reserve and Lane Cove National Park) andPort Hacking (Shiprock Aquatic Reserve and <strong>the</strong> Royal National Park).Lake Macquarie is <strong>the</strong> largest wave dominated barrier estuary in NSW but Tuggerah Lakes, <strong>the</strong>Hunter River, Brisbane Water and Lake Illawarra are also substantial examples <strong>of</strong> this estuarytype (Fig. 7c). Approximately 17 km 2 or 5% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> barrier estuaries in <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion are included in Kooragang Nature Reserve on <strong>the</strong> Hunter Riverwith smaller areas also found in Hexham Swamp and Pelican Island Nature Reserves andBrisbane Water National Park.Narrabeen Lagoon is <strong>the</strong> largest intermittent estuary in <strong>the</strong> bioregion followed by Avoca Lake,Wamberal Lagoon, Terrigal, Cockrone, Dee Why, Harbord and Manly Lagoons, and Towradgiand Bensons Creeks (Fig. 7d). Wamberal Lagoon is included in <strong>the</strong> Wamberal Lagoon NatureReserve and represents 11% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> intermittent estuaries in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>.In summary, aquatic reserves include 26% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion’s ocean embayment and 1.2% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>area <strong>of</strong> drowned river valley in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. However aquatic reserves do not include any1In <strong>the</strong> following figures and tables, “L” is an abbreviation for Lake and Lagoon17
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregionareas <strong>of</strong> barrier estuary or intermittent estuary. In total, aquatic reserves include 2.8% <strong>of</strong> allestuarine waters in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. The marine components <strong>of</strong> national parks and nature reservesinclude 2.4% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion’s ocean embayment, 5.7% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> drowned river valley,5.4% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> barrier estuary and 11% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> intermittent estuarine ecosystems. Intotal, <strong>the</strong> marine components <strong>of</strong> national parks and nature reserves include 5.4% <strong>of</strong> all estuarinewaters in <strong>the</strong> bioregion.18
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaEstuarineplanningunitsHunter River3 nmManning <strong>Shelf</strong>Bioregion200mHunter-L.MacquarieLake MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.Munmorah<strong>Hawkesbury</strong>RiverTuggerah LakesBrisbaneBrisbaneWaterWatersWamberal LagoonTerrigal LagoonAvoca LakeCochrone ckroneLakePittwaterL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.OceanplanningunitsTuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WatersAvoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Waters-Narrabeen Water-Narrabeen L.Port JacksonNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonHarbord LagoonManly LagoonNarrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourGeorgesRiverPortHackingTowradgie i CkCkPort KemblaLake IllawarraBensons CreekSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking - Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkStanwell Park-Towradgie CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourTowradgi Ck-Shell HarbourKeyEstuary ecosystem typesOcean embaymentTide dominated estuaryWave dominated estuaryIntermittent estuaryBrackish lakeFreshwaterOcean ecosystem types0 - 20m20 - 60m60 -200m> 200mBatemans<strong>Shelf</strong>Bioregion0 10 20 Km Scale 1: 900 000. Projection AMG zone 56.N Datum AGD 1966. D. Breen Oct 2001.Fig. 6. Large scale planning units <strong>of</strong> whole estuaries and sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast withmapped estuarine and ocean ecosystem types.19
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionBotany BayFig. a. Ocean embayments0 20 40<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> R.Fig. b. Tide dominated drowned river valleysPittwaterPt JacksonGeorges R.P. Hacking0 20 40 60 80 100 120Hunter R.Fig. c. Wave dominated barrier estuariesL. MacquarieTuggerah L.Brisbane WaterPort KemblaL. Illawarra0 20 40 60 80 100 120Wamberal LagoonFig. d. Intermittent lagoons and creeksTerrigal LagoonAvoca L.Cockrone L.Narrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonHarbord LagoonManly LagoonTowradgi Ck.No marine protected areaMarine parkAquatic reserveNational park/nature reserveBensons Ck0 1 2Area (km 2 )Fig. 7a-d. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> open water for different estuarine ecosystem types in <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion within MPAs. Data from West et al. 1985, estuariesclassified according to Roy et al. 2001.20
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteriaa. Hunter River b. Lake Macquarie c. Tuggerah Lakesd. Wamberal Lagoon e. Terrigal Lagoon f. Avoca Lakeg. Cockrone Lake h. Brisbane Water i. <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> Riverj. Pittwater k. Narrabeen Lagoon l. Dee Why Lagoonm. Harbord Lagoon n. Manly Lagoon o. Sydney Harbour p. Botany Bayq. Georges River r. Port Hacking s. Lake IllawarraFig. 8a-s. Oblique aerial photographs <strong>of</strong> major estuaries in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>bioregion (provided by DIPNR).21
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.1.2 <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> wave dominated and intermittent estuariesData sourceFrances, J. (2000) “Identification <strong>of</strong> candidate sites for aquatic reserves in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong><strong>Shelf</strong> and Batemans <strong>Shelf</strong> ecosystems”.Data descriptionThe estuary classification <strong>of</strong> Roy et al. (2001) was used as a surrogate to assesscomprehensiveness and representativeness toge<strong>the</strong>r with criteria for ecological importance,uniqueness, national and international importance, productivity, vulnerability and naturalness.An expert panel was used to assist in considering collated data, provide ‘delphic’ ratings againstcriteria and prioritise sites for declaration as aquatic reserves.CriterionComprehensiveness, representativeness, ecological importance, uniqueness, national andinternational importance, productivity, vulnerability and naturalness.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresArea and number <strong>of</strong> different estuary types represented in marine protected areas.<strong>Assessment</strong>Table 2 lists sites for <strong>the</strong> assessment, <strong>the</strong>ir delphic ratings and <strong>the</strong>ir priority for declaration asMPAs. A more detailed description <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se sites is given in Chapter 5. Sites in LakeMacquarie, Fullerton Cove, Dee Why Lagoon and Wamberal Lagoon (Fig. 9 and Fig. 10) wereselected as priority candidate aquatic reserves but, after public consultation, a decision on <strong>the</strong>irdeclaration was deferred until after completion <strong>of</strong> this assessment.Table 2. Delphic rankings and priorities for estuarine aquatic reserve candidates.Type Estuary EcologicalimportanceYouthful WavedominatedUniqueness Naturalness Vulnerability PriorityL. Macquarie High No data Medium High 1Brisbane W. High High Medium Medium 2L. Illawarra High No data Low High 3L. Budgewoi Medium No data Medium LowTuggerah L. Medium No data Medium MediumL. Munmorah Low No data Medium LowMature WavedominatedYouthfulIntermittentHunter R. High High Low High 1Port Kembla High No data Low HighNarrabeen L. High High Low High 1Wamberal L. Medium Medium Medium Medium 2Avoca L. Medium Medium Low MediumCockrone L. Medium Medium Low MediumTerrigal L. Low Low Low High22
Type Estuary EcologicalimportanceMatureIntermittent<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaUniqueness Naturalness Vulnerability PriorityDee Why L. High High Low Medium 1WattamollaL.Medium Medium High LowHarbord L. Medium Medium Low HighTowradgi Ck. Medium Medium Low HighManly L. Low Low Low HighTable 2. (cont.) Delphic rankings and priorities for estuarine aquatic reserve candidates.Fig. 9a. Priority candidate aquatic reserveat Lake MacquarieFig. 9b. Priority candidate reserve atFullerton Cove on <strong>the</strong> Hunter River(NSW Fisheries 2001)Fig. 10a. Priority candidate aquatic reserveat Dee Why LagoonFig. 10b. Priority candidate reserve atWamberal Lagoon(NSW Fisheries 2001)23
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.1.3 Ocean ecosystemsData sourceDerived from NSW Waterways and Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) data.Data descriptionFour depth zones (0-20 m, 20-60 m, 60-200 m and > 200 m) derived from AHO hydrographicchart depth contours digitised by NSW Waterways.CriterionComprehensiveness<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresArea <strong>of</strong> depth zones within large-scale planning units (sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast and ocean).<strong>Assessment</strong>Options for representation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> defined ocean ecosystems are spread fairly evenly throughout<strong>the</strong> latitudinal extent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion if both Commonwealth and State waters are considered.However, if only NSW waters within <strong>the</strong> 3 nm limit are considered, representation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 60-200 m depth zone can only be achieved in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn end (i.e. in <strong>the</strong> Narrabeen-Stanwell Parkand Towradgi Ck–Shellharbour sections) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion as this depth zone does not existwithin 3 nm <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coast between <strong>the</strong> Hunter River and Narrabeen Lake (Fig. 11c).Inshore areas (within 100-200 m <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coast) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 0-20 m depth zone are protected inBarrenjoey Head, Narrabeen Head, Long Reef, Cabbage Tree Bay, Bronte-Coogee, Cape Banksand Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserves and Bouddi National Park (Fig. 11a).There are currently no areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 60-200 m depth zone included in any form <strong>of</strong> marineprotected area in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion (Fig. 11c). However, small areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 20-60 m depth zone are represented in <strong>the</strong> marine area <strong>of</strong> Bouddi National Park (Fig. 11b). Themarine component <strong>of</strong> Bouddi National Park has temporary protection for fish and marineinvertebrates through a closure under <strong>the</strong> NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994, renewable on a5 yearly basis (Fig. 11a).24
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaFig. a. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> ocean between 0-20m in NSW waters (within 3 nm)<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-Shellharbour0 Area (km 2 ) 5 10 15 20<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. b. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> ocean between 20-60m in NSW waters (within 3 nm)0 Area (km 2 ) 50 100 150<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> ocean between 60-200 m in NSW waters (within 3 nm)No marine protected areaMarine parkAquatic reserveNational park / nature reserve0 Area (km 2 ) 20 40 60 80Fig. 11a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> ocean depth zones in marine protected areas within sections <strong>of</strong>ocean coast in NSW waters (within 3 nm) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.25
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig. a. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> Commonwealth waters between 20 and 60m deep<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL. L. Macquarie-L.Munmorah MunmorahL. L.Munmorah-Tuggerah L. L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L. L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L. L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany Bay BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi Ck CkTowradgi Ck-Shellharbour0 Area (km 2 ) 20 40 60 80Fig. b. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> Commonwealth waters between 60 and 200m deep<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL. L. Macquarie-L.Munmorah MunmorahL. L.Munmorah-Tuggerah L. L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L. L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany Bay BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Port Hacking-Stanwell Park ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi Ck CkTowradgi Ck-Shellharbour0 Area (km 2 ) 300 600 900 1,200<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL. L. Macquarie-L.Munmorah MunmorahL. L.Munmorah-Tuggerah L. L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen-Sydney L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany Bay BayBotany Botany Bay-Port HackingPort Port Hacking-Stanwell Park ParkStanwell Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ck CkTowradgi Towradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> Commonwealth waters deeper than 200mNo marine protected areaMarine parkAquatic reserveNational park / nature reserve0 Area (km 2 ) 10 20 30 40Fig. 12a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> ocean depth zones in marine protected areas for Commonwealthwaters (outside <strong>of</strong> 3 nm) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.26
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.1.4 Oceanography - East Australian CurrentData sourceA summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> key oceanographic processes operating in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion(Cresswell et al. 1983; Pollard et al. 1997; Cresswell 1998; CSIRO Australia 2001) and seasurface temperature satellite images provided by Cresswell (1998).CriteriaComprehensiveness, representativeness, ecological importance and productivity.Data description and assessmentThe East Australian Current (EAC) runs south along <strong>the</strong> east coast <strong>of</strong> Australia from <strong>the</strong> CoralSea into <strong>the</strong> Tasman Sea bringing warm tropical and sub tropical water south into <strong>the</strong> coolertemperate waters <strong>of</strong> NSW (Fig 14). It is likely to have a significant effect on marinebiodiversity in NSW coastal and <strong>of</strong>fshore waters through its influence on ocean temperature,density and chemistry, production <strong>of</strong> eddies, counter currents and upwellings, primaryproductivity, transport <strong>of</strong> larvae, and food supply. The influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> current and its eddiesand upwellings on phytoplankton and productivity has been well studied and <strong>the</strong> movements <strong>of</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r organisms such as gemfish, tuna and a range <strong>of</strong> pelagic species are also thought to beinfluenced by <strong>the</strong> current (CSIRO Australia 2001).The EAC moves at speeds <strong>of</strong> up to 5 knots, transports up to 30 million cubic metres <strong>of</strong> waterper second and can affect waters down to 500 metres in depth and 100 kilometres in width. TheEAC is strongest in summer, with a flow up to twice that occurring in winter months (CSIROAustralia 2001).The EAC <strong>of</strong>ten moves inshore across <strong>the</strong> continental shelf, generating northward flowingcurrents and small clockwise 'cold core'eddies. The current also periodically advances southand retreats north at <strong>the</strong> Tasman Front leaving behind large anti-clockwise warm-core eddies upto 200 km in width and 1000 m deep, with currents up to four knots at <strong>the</strong>ir periphery. Theseeddies <strong>of</strong>ten continue to migrate south taking warm waters and entrained larvae and o<strong>the</strong>rplankton into cold temperate waters (CSIRO Australia 2001).The EAC moves away from <strong>the</strong> coast most frequently near South West Rocks and Seal Rocksin <strong>the</strong> Manning <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion yet sometimes continues inshore as far south as Ulladulla. Apreliminary assessment by Pollard et al. (1997) estimated that <strong>the</strong> EAC influences NSW coastalwaters between Tweed Heads and Seal Rocks about 90% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> time, but that this influencedecreases to 50% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> time between Seal Rocks and Jervis Bay, and to 10% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> timebetween Jervis Bay and Cape Howe. This indicates that, while <strong>the</strong> Tweed-Moreton andManning <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregions are <strong>of</strong>ten influenced by subtropical waters and <strong>the</strong> Batemans andTw<strong>of</strong>old <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregions are more <strong>of</strong>ten influenced by temperate conditions, <strong>the</strong> current on <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> may alternate between two extremes. However, <strong>the</strong> complex nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>current and its eddies means that its influence on coastal and <strong>of</strong>fshore conditions is highlyvariable, regardless <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seasonal averages (Fig. 13 and Fig. 14).27
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionSW RocksSeal RocksSydney HarbourL. Illawarra<strong>Hawkesbury</strong><strong>Shelf</strong>Fig. 13. Mean sea surface temperature <strong>of</strong>f NSW coast averaged for summer (January-March) and winter (July-September), (Cresswell 1998).Fig. 14. <strong>Broadscale</strong> oceanographic processes <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> NSW coast represented by seasurface temperature (SST) NOAA11 TM45S satellite images (after Cresswell1998): (a) East Australian current warming inshore waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong><strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion during November; (b) cool inshore waters in <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>during November as EAC heads <strong>of</strong>fshore from South West Rocks; (c) Coolinshore waters during July; (d) warm inshore waters in October associated with aneddy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EAC (red dashed lines = <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>).28
4.1.5 Seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitatsData sourcesEstuarine vegetation mapping from West et al. (1985) digitised by NPWS.<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaData descriptionEstuarine plant communities were mapped between 1981 and 1984 using 1:25,000 scale aerialphotographs and a 1:25,000 scale topographic map base. These maps should be interpretedcautiously as a general indication <strong>of</strong> broad spatial patterns, given <strong>the</strong> time elapsed since <strong>the</strong>surveys were made. Estuarine macrophytes in NSW estuaries were remapped from 2003 to2005 by DPI, however <strong>the</strong> data has not yet been fully analysed (R. J. Williams pers. comm.).CriteriaComprehensiveness and representativeness.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresArea <strong>of</strong> habitat.<strong>Assessment</strong>Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes include <strong>the</strong> largest areas <strong>of</strong> seagrass in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong><strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion and <strong>the</strong> third and fourth largest areas <strong>of</strong> seagrass in NSW (after Wallis Lake and<strong>the</strong> Clarence River, Fig. 15a).Large areas <strong>of</strong> seagrass are also found in Brisbane Water, Lake Illawarra, Botany Bay,Pittwater, Port Jackson, Port Hacking, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River and Narrabeen Lagoon. Smallerareas <strong>of</strong> seagrass habitat have also been recorded from <strong>the</strong> Georges River, Wamberal Lagoon,Terrigal Lagoon, Avoca Lake and o<strong>the</strong>r areas.A total <strong>of</strong> 6% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregions seagrass habitat is currently included in Towra Point AquaticReserve, Towra Point Nature Reserve, North Sydney Harbour Aquatic Reserve, WamberalLagoon Nature Reserve, and o<strong>the</strong>r national parks on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Pittwater, BrisbaneWater and Port Hacking.The largest areas <strong>of</strong> mangrove habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion are recorded from <strong>the</strong> Hunter and <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River. After Port Stephens (in <strong>the</strong> Manning <strong>Shelf</strong> marine bioregion), <strong>the</strong>se are <strong>the</strong>largest areas <strong>of</strong> mangrove in NSW. Large areas <strong>of</strong> mangrove habitat are also found in BotanyBay, <strong>the</strong> Georges River, Brisbane Water, Lake Macquarie and Port Jackson with smaller areasin several o<strong>the</strong>r estuaries (Fig. 15b).A total <strong>of</strong> 7% <strong>of</strong> all mangrove habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion is included in Towra Point AquaticReserve with a fur<strong>the</strong>r 42% represented in nature reserves and national parks on <strong>the</strong> HunterRiver, <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Brisbane Water, Botany Bay, Port Hacking, Pittwater and PortJackson. However over half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mangrove habitat within national parks and nature reservesoccurs inland <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mapped coastline (above mean high water mark), within <strong>the</strong> ‘terrestrial’components <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se reserves.The Hunter River area includes <strong>the</strong> largest area <strong>of</strong> saltmarsh habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion and <strong>the</strong>third largest area <strong>of</strong> saltmarsh in <strong>the</strong> state after Port Stephens and Lake Cathie (Fig. 15c). Largeareas <strong>of</strong> saltmarsh are also found near Botany Bay, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Brisbane Water, andLake Macquarie with smaller areas on <strong>the</strong> Georges River, Lake Illawarra, Port Hacking andseveral o<strong>the</strong>r locations.A total <strong>of</strong> 44% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> saltmarsh in <strong>the</strong> bioregion is included in nature reserves andnational parks on <strong>the</strong> Hunter River, Georges River, Brisbane Water, <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, BotanyBay and Port Hacking. As with mangrove habitat, most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> saltmarsh habitat in nationalparks and nature reserves occurs inland <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mapped coastline with only a small proportion <strong>of</strong>saltmarshes below <strong>the</strong> high water mark in what might strictly be classified as marine protectedareas.29
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionEstuariesHunter RGlenrock LagoonL MacquarieTuggerah LsWamberal LagoonTerrigal LagoonAvoca LBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RCockrone LPittwaterNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonHarbord LagoonPort JacksonGeorges RBotany BayPort HackingTowradgi CkWollongong HbrPort KemblaL IllawarraBensons CkFig. a. Area (km²) <strong>of</strong> seagrass habitatEstuariesHunter RGlenrock LagoonL MacquarieTuggerah LsWamberal LagoonTerrigal LagoonAvoca LBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RCockrone LPittwaterNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonHarbord LagoonPort JacksonGeorges RBotany BayPort HackingTowradgi CkWollongong HbrPort KemblaL IllawarraBensons Ck0 5 10 15Area (km²)Area (km²)Fig. b. Area (km²) <strong>of</strong> mangrove habitat0 5 10 15 20Fig. c. Area (km²) <strong>of</strong> saltmarsh habitatEstuariesHunter RGlenrock LagoonL MacquarieTuggerah LsWamberal LagoonTerrigal LagoonAvoca LBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RCockrone LPittwaterNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonHarbord LagoonPort JacksonGeorges RBotany BayPort HackingTowradgi CkWollongong HbrPort KemblaL IllawarraBensons CkArea (km²)No marine protected areaMarine parkAquatic reserveNational park /naturereserve0 2 4 6Fig. 15a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitat in marine protectedareas in estuaries <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.30
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaKey habitat typesBeachIslands and rocksReef and shoalRocky intertidalSubtidal sandSeawallSaltmarshMangroveSeagrassH u n t e rR i v e r3 n m l i m i tH u n t e r R . - L . M a c q u a r i eL a k eM a c q u a r i eL . M a c q u a r i e - L . M u n m o r a hT u g g e r a hL a k e sL . M u n m o r a h - T u g g e r a h L .K e yH a b i t a t t y p e sB e a c hI s l a n d s a n d r o c k sR e f a n d s h o a lR o c k y i n t e r t i d a lS u b t i d a l s a n dS e a w a l lS a l t m a r s hM a n g r o v eS e a g r a s s0 5 K mNFig.16. Mapped habitat units between <strong>the</strong> Hunter River and Tuggerah Lakes.31
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionKey habitat typesK e yBeach H a b i t a t t y p e sIslands B e and a c h rocksI s l a n d s a n d r o c k sReef and shoalR e f a n d s h o a lRocky R intertidal o c k y i n t e r t i d a lSubtidal S u b sand t i d a l s a n dSeawall S e a w a l lSaltmarsh S a l t m a r s hMangroveM a n g r o v eS e a g r a s sSeagrassB r i s b a n eW a t e rW a m b e r a lL a g o o nT u g g e r a hL a k e sT e r r i g a lL a g o o nA v o c a L a k eT u g g e r a h - A v o c aC o c k r o n e L a k eA v o c a L . - B r i s b a n e W a t e rH a w k e s b u r yR i v e rB r i s b a n e W a t e r - N a r r a b e e n L .P i t t w a t e rN a r r a b e e n L a g o o nD e e W h y L a g o o nH a r b o r d L a g o o nM a n l y L a g o o nN a r r a b e e n L . -S y d n e y H a r b o u rP o r tJ a c k s o n0 5 K mNFig. 17. Mapped habitat units between Tuggerah Lakes and Sydney Harbour.32
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaHarbord LagoonManly LagoonNarrabeen L. -Sydney HarbourPortJacksonSydney Harbour –Botany BayBotany BayGeorgesRiverBotany Bay - Port HackingPortHackingPort Hacking – Stanwell ParkKey habitatKtypese yH a b i t a t t y p e sBeachB e a c hIslandsIands l a n drockss a n d r o c k sReef and R e shoalf a n d s h o a lRocky intertidal R o c k y i n t e r t i d a lSubtidal S u sand b t i d a l s a n dSeawall S e a w a l lSaltmarsh S a l t m a r s hM a n g r o v eMangroveS e a g r a s sSeagrass0 5 K mNFig. 18. Mapped habitat units between Sydney Harbour and Port Hacking.33
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionKey habitat typesK e yH a b i t a Beach t t y p e sB e a c hI s l a n d s a n d r o c k sReefR e f aandn d sshoalh o a lRocky R o c k y i intertidal n t e r t i d a lSubtidal S u b t i d a l s sand a n dSeawall S e a w a l lSaltmarsh S a l t m a r s hM a n g r o v eMangroveS e a g r a s sIslands and rocksSeagrassP o r tH a c k i n gPort P Hacking-Stanwell o r t H a c k i n g - S t a n w Park e l l P a r kStanwell S t a n w e l P Park-Towradgi a r k - T o w r a d g i C k CkT o w r a d g i C kP o r t K e m b l aL a k eI l l a w a r r aT o w r a d g i C k - S h e l l h a r b o u rTowradgi Ck-Shellharbour3 n m 2 0 0 mB e n s o n s C kB a t e m a n s S h e l f b i o r e g i o n0 5 K mNFig. 19. Mapped habitat units between Port Hacking and Shellharbour.34
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.1.6 Shallow subtidal reefData sourceGIS maps <strong>of</strong> shallow nearshore reef digitised by Ron Avery (DEC) from aerial photographyheld by DIPNR.GIS maps <strong>of</strong> shallow <strong>of</strong>fshore reefs and shoals digitised from Australian Hydrographic SurveyCharts.Data descriptionReefs were digitised from high resolution (1:8,000 – 1:25,000) aerial photographs. However,this technique is limited by visibility to depths <strong>of</strong> 10-20 m. Hydrographic charts focus only onthose reefs and shoals which approach <strong>the</strong> sea surface and pose a hazard for shipping and<strong>the</strong>refore under-represent <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> reef present at all depths.It is recommended that for finer scale assessments a more comprehensive assessment <strong>of</strong>existing seabed data is made and that where required, additional seabed surveys are carried outto accurately characterise <strong>the</strong>se environments.Reefs were also classified by <strong>the</strong>ir distance <strong>of</strong>fshore (more or less than 1 km) to approximatelyrepresent major differences in surrounding depths and <strong>the</strong> relative degree <strong>of</strong> terrestrial andoceanic influence. However, more detailed surveys at specific sites are likely to provide moreprecise descriptions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> biodiversity present.CriteriaComprehensiveness and representativeness.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresArea <strong>of</strong> reefs in broadscale plan units (section <strong>of</strong> exposed coast and ocean).<strong>Assessment</strong>Shallow reef was distributed fairly evenly among latitudinal sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast andocean but with more pronounced differences occurring at finer scales (Fig. 20). The largestareas <strong>of</strong> mapped reef occurred in <strong>the</strong> Tuggerah L.–Avoca L. section (7 km 2 or 15% <strong>of</strong> allmapped reef in <strong>the</strong> bioregion), followed by Stanwell Park–Towradgi Ck (5.8 km 2 ), TowradgiCk-Shellharbour, Munmorah-Tuggerah (5 km 2 ) and decreasing to a minimum <strong>of</strong> 2.2 km 2 for <strong>the</strong>Hunter R.-L. Macquarie section.When classified into reefs less than or greater than 1 km from shore, <strong>the</strong> inshore reefs show asimilar pattern to overall pattern described above. However, <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> shallow reef greaterthan 1 km <strong>of</strong>fshore is markedly higher for <strong>the</strong> Munmorah-Tuggerah (1.5 km 2 ) and Tuggerah-Avoca (1.5 km 2 ) sections and relatively high for <strong>the</strong> Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour (0.8 km 2 ) andNarrabeen-Sydney sections (0.5 km 2 , Fig. 20c).A total <strong>of</strong> 1.4 km 2 <strong>of</strong> mapped shallow reef is included in aquatic reserves between Barrenjoeyand Boat Harbour, representing 3% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> this habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. BouddiNational Park includes an additional 0.8 km 2 <strong>of</strong> mapped reef which represents 1.6 % <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> totalarea <strong>of</strong> this habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. All <strong>of</strong> this reef is nearshore and no reefs beyond 1 km arerepresented within existing marine protected areas (Fig. 20b, c).35
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. Macquarie-MunmorahMunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah Tuggerah-AvocaL.-Avoca L.Avoca-Brisbane L.-Brisbane WatersBrisbane Water-Narrabeen Waters-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen-Sydney L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell Park ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi Ck CkTowradgi-ShellharbourCk-ShellharbourFig. a. Total area <strong>of</strong> mapped shallow reef habitats0 Area (km 2 ) 2 4 6 8Fig. b. Area <strong>of</strong> mapped shallow reef within 1 km <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coastHunter-L. MacquarieHunter-L.MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Macquarie-MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Munmorah-TuggerahTuggerah L.-Avoca L.Tuggerah-AvocaAvoca L.-Brisbane WaterAvoca-Brisbane WatersBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Brisbane Waters-NarrabeenNarrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourNarrabeen-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBayBotany Bay-PortBay-PortHackingHackingPortPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkCkTowradgiTowradgi-ShellharbourCk-Shellharbour0 Area (km 2 ) 2 4 6Fig. c. Area <strong>of</strong> mapped shallow reef more than 1 km <strong>of</strong>fshoreHunter-L. MacquarieHunter-L.MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Macquarie-MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Munmorah-TuggerahTuggerah L.-Avoca L.Tuggerah-AvocaAvoca L.-Brisbane WaterAvoca-Brisbane WatersBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Brisbane Waters-NarrabeenNarrabeenNarrabeen-SydneyL.-Sydney HarbourHarbourNo marine protected areaSydney Harbour-Botany BayMarine parkBayBotany Bay-Port HackingHackingAquatic reservePort Hacking-Stanwell ParkParkNational park / nature reserveStanwell Park-Towradgi CkCkTowradgiTowradgi-ShellharbourCk-Shellharbour0 Area (km 2 ) 0.5 1 1.5Fig. 20. Area <strong>of</strong> mapped shallow reef for sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast.36
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.1.7 IslandsData sourceAMBIS GIS data cover <strong>of</strong> islands and emergent rocks provided by Geoscience Australia(Commonwealth <strong>of</strong> Australia 2001).Data descriptionAbsolute areas <strong>of</strong> islands were graphed and assessed using <strong>the</strong> large scale plan units while100m buffers extending out from islands and exposed rocks were used to represent <strong>the</strong>influence <strong>of</strong> islands on adjacent waters in fine scale reserve selection simulations.Islands were also classified by distance <strong>of</strong>fshore (more or less than 1 km from shore) toapproximately represent major differences in surrounding depths and <strong>the</strong> relative degree <strong>of</strong>terrestrial and oceanic influences.CriteriaComprehensiveness and representativeness.<strong>Assessment</strong> measureArea <strong>of</strong> islands within broadscale plan units and 100m island buffers in fine scale plan units.<strong>Assessment</strong>By far <strong>the</strong> largest area <strong>of</strong> islands (0.3 km 2 ) occurred in <strong>the</strong> Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour section <strong>of</strong>exposed coast and ocean which included 76% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> islands in <strong>the</strong> bioregion (Fig. 21).This area was mostly islands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> shore. Islands greater than 1 km from shoreoccurred only in <strong>the</strong> Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour section and in <strong>the</strong> Munmorah-Tuggerahsections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast and ocean.Approximately 0.0001 km 2 <strong>of</strong> islands or rocks are represented in Long Reef Aquatic Reserverepresenting 0.21% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> this habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion.37
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig. a. Total area (km²) <strong>of</strong> islands (above MHW)<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-Shellharbour0 Area (km²)0.5Fig. b. Total area (km²) <strong>of</strong> islands within 1km <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coast0 Area (km²)0.5Fig. c. Total area (km²) <strong>of</strong> islands over 1km <strong>of</strong>fshore0 Area (km²)0.5Fig. 21a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> total, inshore and <strong>of</strong>fshore islands (above Mean High WaterMark) for coastal sections (NSW waters within 3 nm) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>bioregions.38
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.1.8 Shallow subtidal sandData sourceShallow nearshore sand digitised from DIPNR aerial photography by Ron Avery (DEC).Data descriptionNearshore reefs digitised from high resolution (1:8,000 –1:25,000) aerial photographs.CriteriaComprehensiveness and representativeness.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresArea <strong>of</strong> sand in broadscale plan units (section <strong>of</strong> exposed coast and ocean).<strong>Assessment</strong>The largest areas <strong>of</strong> mapped inshore sand occurred in <strong>the</strong> Munmorah-Tuggerah (13 km 2 ),Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour (12 km 2 ) and Hunter-Lake Macquarie (12 km 2 ) sections <strong>of</strong> exposedcoast and ocean with each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se areas equivalent to approximately 17% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong>this habitat for <strong>the</strong> bioregion (Fig. 22a).A total <strong>of</strong> 0.35 km 2 <strong>of</strong> subtidal sand was represented in aquatic reserves between BrisbaneWater and Port Hacking, representing 0.5% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> this habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. Afur<strong>the</strong>r 0.15 km 2 <strong>of</strong> subtidal sand was represented in Bouddi National Park, representing 0.14%<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> this habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion.4.1.9 Intertidal beachData sourcesLand and Property Information Centre 1:25,000 topographic maps and digital cadastredatabase.Data descriptionOcean beaches were identified from 1:25,000 topographic maps and <strong>the</strong>ir areas calculated from<strong>the</strong> difference between <strong>the</strong> high and low water marks from <strong>the</strong> digital cadastre. Shelteredestuarine beaches were not assessed and <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> areas here underestimate <strong>the</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> thishabitat.CriteriaComprehensiveness and representativeness.<strong>Assessment</strong> measureArea <strong>of</strong> beach within broadscale plan units (sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast and ocean).<strong>Assessment</strong>The area <strong>of</strong> intertidal beach within sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast and ocean was largest for <strong>the</strong>Hunter-Lake Macquarie section (1 km 2 ) representing 19% <strong>of</strong> this habitat for <strong>the</strong> bioregion,followed by 0.9 km 2 for <strong>the</strong> Munmorah-Tuggerah section and 0.73 km 2 for <strong>the</strong> Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour section (Fig. 22b). The Port Hacking-Stanwell Park section included <strong>the</strong> leastintertidal beach (0.07 km 2 ).A total <strong>of</strong> 0.07 km 2 <strong>of</strong> intertidal ocean beach was included in aquatic reserves between <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River and Port Hacking, representing 1.4% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> this habitat in <strong>the</strong>bioregion. Bouddi National Park included 0.01 km 2 <strong>of</strong> ocean intertidal beach representing 0.2%<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> this habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion.39
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.1.10 Intertidal rocky shoreData sourcesLand and Property Information Centre 1:25,000 topographic maps and digital cadastredatabase.Data descriptionOcean intertidal rocky shores were identified from 1:25,000 topographic maps and <strong>the</strong>ir areascalculated from <strong>the</strong> difference between <strong>the</strong> high and low water marks on <strong>the</strong> digital cadastre.Sheltered estuarine rocky shores were not assessed and <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> areas here underestimate<strong>the</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> this habitat.CriteriaComprehensiveness and representativeness.<strong>Assessment</strong> measureArea <strong>of</strong> rocky intertidal shore within broadscale plan units (sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast andocean).<strong>Assessment</strong>The largest area <strong>of</strong> exposed, intertidal rocky shore occurred in <strong>the</strong> Sydney Harbour-Botany Baysection <strong>of</strong> coast (0.67 km 2 ) representing 14% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> this habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion.Large areas <strong>of</strong> rocky shore were also present in <strong>the</strong> Tuggerah-Avoca (0.57 km 2 ), Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ck (0.52 km 2 ) and Hunter-Lake Macquarie (0.51 km 2 ) sections, with <strong>the</strong> least area <strong>of</strong>rocky shore occurring in <strong>the</strong> Botany Bay-Port Hacking section (0.14 km 2 , Fig. 22c).A total <strong>of</strong> 0.22 km 2 <strong>of</strong> exposed intertidal rocky shore was represented in aquatic reservesbetween <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River and Port Hacking, representing 4.6% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> thishabitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. A fur<strong>the</strong>r 0.14 km 2 <strong>of</strong> rocky shore was represented in Bouddi NationalPark, representing 2.9% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> this habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion (Fig. 22c).40
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sections2Fig. a. Area (km ) <strong>of</strong> mapped inshore sub-tidal sandHunter-L.Macquarie (kmL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-Shellharbour20 Area (km ) 5 10 15<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. b. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> intertidal beachNo marine protected areaMarine parkAquatic reserveNational park / nature reserve0 0.5 1Area (km 2 )<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> intertidal rocky shore0 2Area (km ) 0.2 0.4 0.6Fig. 22a-c. Area (km 2 ) <strong>of</strong> mapped (inshore) sub-tidal sand, intertidal beach and intertidalrocky shore habitat in marine protected areas within coastal sections (NSW waterswithin 3 nm) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.41
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.1.11 <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> rocky intertidal communitiesData sourceOtway, N. (1999). Identification <strong>of</strong> candidate sites for declaration as aquatic reserves for <strong>the</strong>conservation <strong>of</strong> rocky intertidal communities in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> and Batemans <strong>Shelf</strong>bioregions. Report to Environment Australia by NSW Fisheries.Data DescriptionRocky shores short-listed by a committee <strong>of</strong> stakeholders and community members weresampled by Otway (1999), scored for species richness and <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> platform, boulder,rubble, pool and crevice microhabitats with recommendations made for suitability as MPAs.CriteriaComprehensiveness, representativeness and adequacy.<strong>Assessment</strong>Six locations (Nobby’s Head, Toowoon Point, Yumbool Point, Tudibaring Head, Green Pointand Brickyard Point) were recommended as candidate sites for MPAs by <strong>the</strong> committee. Otway(1999) surveyed <strong>the</strong>se areas and found 4-5 microhabitats and a higher species richness atToowoon Point (135 species), Tudibaring Head (144 species) and Brickyard Point (139 species)and recommended <strong>the</strong>se sites as candidate locations for marine protected areas (Fig. 23, Fig. 24and Fig. 25). Only three microhabitats and a lower species richness were found at <strong>the</strong> remaininglocations.Toowoon and Yumbool Points are located in <strong>the</strong> Tuggerah-Avoca section <strong>of</strong> ocean coast,Tudibaring Head is located in <strong>the</strong> Avoca-Brisbane Water section and Brickyard Point is locatedin <strong>the</strong> Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ck section.42
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaFig. 23. Previous candidate rocky intertidal aquatic reserve at Toowoon Bay (NSWFisheries 2001).Fig. 24. Previous candidate rocky intertidal aquatic reserve at Tudibaring Head (NSWFisheries 2001).Fig. 25. Previous candidate rocky intertidal aquatic reserve at Brickyard Point (NSWFisheries 2001).43
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.1.12 Coastal rock platforms (Total Environment Centre)Data sourceShort J.M. (1995). Protection <strong>of</strong> coastal rock platforms in NSW. National Estate Grant ProjectNEP 94-288. Total Environment Centre, Sydney.Data descriptionThis database <strong>of</strong> ‘significant rock platforms’ identifies 198 separate rock platforms in NSW, 33<strong>of</strong> which lie in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.CriteriaRepresentativeness, uniqueness and naturalness (condition).<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresThe database includes attributes relating to location, access, platform dimensions, physicalcharacteristics, geology, biology, impacts, existing management, and recommendations.<strong>Assessment</strong>Based on <strong>the</strong> assessment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> characteristics described above, Short (1995) recommended 25rock platforms in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion for protection. These were:• Little Redhead Point and Redhead Point in <strong>the</strong> Hunter-Lake Macquarie section• Swansea Heads, Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Hill Bay, Flat Rocks Point, Bongon and Wybung Heads in <strong>the</strong>Lake Macquarie-Munmorah section• Norah Head and Pelican Point in <strong>the</strong> Munmorah-Tuggerah section• Cape Three Points, Bouddi, Gerrin Point and Box Head in <strong>the</strong> Avoca-Brisbane Watersection• Careel Head, Hole in Wall and Turmietta Head in <strong>the</strong> Brisbane Water-Narrabeen section• North Harbord and Queenscliff in <strong>the</strong> Narrabeen-Sydney Harbour section• South Head in <strong>the</strong> Sydney Harbour-Botany Bay section• Port Hacking Point in <strong>the</strong> Port Hacking-Stanwell Park section• Bulli/Woniora Point and Collins Rock in <strong>the</strong> Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ck section• Towradgi Point, Red Point and Windang in <strong>the</strong> Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour section.44
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.2 Irreplaceability analysis for ecosystem and habitat unitsIrreplaceability is a measure designed to estimate <strong>the</strong> likelihood <strong>of</strong> a site being required to meeta conservation target or, <strong>the</strong> extent to which conservation options are reduced if that site isunavailable. Conservation targets are usually defined as areas, numbers or proportions for arange <strong>of</strong> different habitats, species or o<strong>the</strong>r ‘features’. Summed irreplaceability is calculated byadding <strong>the</strong> feature irreplaceabilities for all <strong>the</strong> different features in a site. High values indicatethat a site is important for achieving conservation goals for many different features.Fig. 26 shows summed irreplaceability for <strong>the</strong> fine-scale planning units and a hypo<strong>the</strong>tical goal<strong>of</strong> 20% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> each ecosystem (estuary types and ocean depth zones) and habitat feature(seagrass, mangrove, saltmarsh, rocky intertidal, beach, subtidal sand, reef, and island). Highervalues indicate those sites more likely to contribute to targets for more than one habitat orecosystem, thus minimising <strong>the</strong> total area required to represent those habitat or ecosystemfeatures. High values for summed irreplaceability do not necessarily imply that a site is requiredto meet a goal, only that it is likely to contribute to more than one feature target.Localised areas <strong>of</strong> high summed irreplaceability are evident at <strong>the</strong> mouths <strong>of</strong> several estuariesand at several locations along <strong>the</strong> coast where different ocean habitats occur toge<strong>the</strong>r (Fig. 26).Relatively high summed irreplaceabilities are also present in estuaries where different estuarinehabitats occur toge<strong>the</strong>r.Fig. 27 and Fig. 28 show summed irreplaceabilities for large scale planning units calculated fora hypo<strong>the</strong>tical representation <strong>of</strong> 20% <strong>of</strong> mapped ecosystems and habitat units. Fig. 27a. showsvery high summed irreplaceabilities for <strong>the</strong> Hunter River, <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Lake Macquarieand Tuggerah Lakes, and moderate scores for Botany Bay, Lake Illawarra, Brisbane Water,Narrabeen Lagoon, Avoca Lake and <strong>the</strong> Parramatta River.Fig. 27b. shows adjusted irreplaceabilities while accounting for <strong>the</strong> areas <strong>of</strong> habitat alreadyincluded in existing aquatic reserves. The result is a reduction in some irreplaceabilities inresponse to <strong>the</strong> inclusion <strong>of</strong> seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh in Towra Point Aquatic Reserveand North Sydney Harbour Aquatic Reserve. In Fig. 27c. <strong>the</strong> existing marine components <strong>of</strong>national parks and nature reserves are added to <strong>the</strong> model with fur<strong>the</strong>r small reductions inirreplaceability in, for example, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River.Summed irreplaceabilities for sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast are highest for Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour, Munmorah-Tuggerah, Hunter-Tuggerah and Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ckreflecting <strong>the</strong> larger areas <strong>of</strong> island habitat within <strong>the</strong>se sections and <strong>the</strong> occurrence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 60-200 m depth zones in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion and in <strong>the</strong> Munmorah-Tuggerah section(Fig. 28a-c).Irreplaceability is used here as a convenient static index to summarise general patterns.However, its full potential is realised in a more iterative process where different alternatives aremore fully explored using experience from managers, scientists and key stakeholders.45
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionSummed irreplaceability (Absolute)>5.3 - 6.62>3.97 - 5.3>2.65 - 3.97>1.32 - 2.65>0 - 1.320 20 KmNFig. 26. Summed irreplaceability <strong>of</strong> fine-scale (4 km 2 ) planning units for ecosystem andhabitat types in <strong>the</strong> NSW waters (within 3 nm) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.Values indicate <strong>the</strong> degree to which a unit can contribute to meeting a hypo<strong>the</strong>tical20% goal for a number <strong>of</strong> different estuarine and oceanic ecosystem and habitattypes (values estimated using C-Plan reserve selection s<strong>of</strong>tware provided by <strong>the</strong>NPWS).46
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaEstuariesEstuariesEstuariesa.b.c.Hunter RGlenrock LagoonL MacquarieTuggerah LsTerrigal LagoonAvoca LBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RCockrone LPittwaterNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonHarbord LagoonParramatta RGeorges RBotany BayPort HackingTowradgi CkWollongong HbrPort KemblaL IllawarraBensons CkHunter RGlenrock LagoonL MacquarieTuggerah LsTerrigal LagoonAvoca LBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RCockrone LPittwaterNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonHarbord LagoonParramatta RGeorges RBotany BayPort HackingTowradgi CkWollongong HbrPort KemblaL IllawarraBensons CkHunter RGlenrock LagoonL MacquarieTuggerah LsTerrigal LagoonAvoca LBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RCockrone LPittwaterNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonHarbord LagoonParramatta RGeorges RBotany BayPort HackingTowradgi CkWollongong HbrPort KemblaL IllawarraBensons Ck0 Summed 1 irreplaceability 20 Summed 1 irreplaceability 20 Summed 1 irreplaceability 2Fig. 27. Summed irreplaceability scores for estuaries a. assuming <strong>the</strong>re are no existingMPAs; b. allowing for areas in marine parks and aquatic reserves. c. allowing forareas included in marine parks, aquatic reserves, national parks and nature reserves(values estimated using C-Plan reserve selection s<strong>of</strong>tware provided by <strong>the</strong> NPWS).47
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionSections <strong>of</strong> coastHunter-L.MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-Shellharboura.0 Summed 2 irreplaceability 4Sections <strong>of</strong> coastHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourSections <strong>of</strong> coastb.c.0 2 Summed 4 irreplaceability 6 8Hunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water -Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-Shellharbour0 2 Summed 4 irreplaceability 6 8Fig. 28. Summed irreplaceability scores for sections <strong>of</strong> coast a. assuming no existingMPAs; b. allowing for areas included in marine parks and aquatic reserves. c.allowing for areas included in marine parks, aquatic reserves, national parks andnature reserves (values estimated using C-Plan reserve selection s<strong>of</strong>tware providedby <strong>the</strong> NPWS).48
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.3 Representativeness - species4.3.1 Estuarine juvenile fish and invertebrate biodiversityData sourceEstuarine fish biodiversity project undertaken by <strong>the</strong> NSW DPI Office <strong>of</strong> Conservation andfunded by <strong>the</strong> Natural Heritage Trust (R.J. Williams, pers. comm.).Data descriptionJuvenile fishes and invertebrates were sampled by seine net in NSW estuaries in shallowvegetated and bare substrata in 2-3 geomorphic zones between <strong>the</strong> estuary mouths and riverinehabitats. Of <strong>the</strong> order <strong>of</strong> 483,190 fish from 179 taxa were collected from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>marine bioregion and <strong>the</strong> data are being summarised at present (R.J. Williams, pers. comm.).Identification criterionRepresentativeness.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresSummed irreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong> at least one <strong>of</strong> each species.<strong>Assessment</strong>Summed irreplaceability scores for species representation at sites (total catch from five seinehauls) is shown in Fig. 29a-g. For all sites, summed irreplaceability was relatively low (100). This may be due in part to <strong>the</strong> low number <strong>of</strong>hauls per site but may also reflect <strong>the</strong> widespread occurrence <strong>of</strong> many common species.The highest values occurred in Tuggerah Lake, Pittwater, Port Jackson, Botany Bay, <strong>the</strong>Georges River and Port Hacking, but estuaries were not markedly different relative to <strong>the</strong>amount <strong>of</strong> variation within estuaries. In addition, <strong>the</strong>re were large variations among estuaries in<strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> sites sampled, and <strong>the</strong>se differences were strongly correlated with overall speciesrichness and irreplaceability scores for each estuary.These differences make it difficult to make unbiased comparisons among different estuaries.However, a more detailed analysis <strong>of</strong> this data is warranted as systematic surveys <strong>of</strong> speciesdiversity and abundance have <strong>the</strong> potential to provide a more direct assessment <strong>of</strong> marinebiodiversity than coarser scale surrogates.49
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig. a. Hunter R.Summed irreplaceability 0 0 - 0.1 0.1 - 0.5 0.5 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4Fig b. L. Macquarie. Fig.c. Tuggerah L. Fig. e. Sydney Harbour, Manly,Harbord, Dee Why andNarrabeen Lagoons Fig. d. <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> R., Cochrone,Avoca, Terrigal and Wamberal LagoonsFig. f. Botany Bay Fig. g. Port HackingFig. g. L. IllawarraFig. 29a-h. Summed irreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong> at least one <strong>of</strong> each species <strong>of</strong>juvenile fish and invertebrate sampled by seine net (n=5 hauls) along estuaryshores in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion. Data from NHT funded, NSW DPI,Office <strong>of</strong> Conservation, Estuarine Fish <strong>Biodiversity</strong> project (pers. comm.R.J.Williams).50
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.3.2 NSW DPI commercial catch dataData SourceNSW DPI Commercial catch database.Tanner and Liggins (1999). New South Wales Commercial Fisheries Statistics 1993/94 to1997/98. NSW Fisheries Research Institute.Data descriptionCommercial fish and invertebrate catch from mandatory catch return forms submitted bycommercial fishers.CriteriaRepresentativeness, productivity, potential threats and human use.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresNumber <strong>of</strong> species, catch and summed irreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong> each species.<strong>Assessment</strong>Summed irreplaceability and <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> species caught commercially in estuaries werehighest for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River and Sydney Harbour. The differences however, may reflect<strong>the</strong> high catches for <strong>the</strong>se areas and may also be confounded by catches brought in from o<strong>the</strong>rlocations.Summed irreplaceability and <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> species landed at ocean ports was highest forNewcastle and Sydney and again this may reflect <strong>the</strong> much greater catch landed at <strong>the</strong>se portsand catches brought in from o<strong>the</strong>r areas.These results should be regarded cautiously given <strong>the</strong> likely bias in species richness towardsareas receiving more catch, and in determining exactly where catch was caught as opposed tolanded. More detailed analyses <strong>of</strong> catch data have been made by Pease (1999).51
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionEstuariesHunter RiverLake MacquarieTuggerah Lakes<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RiverNarrabeen LakePort JacksonBotany BayPort HackingLake IllawarraFig. a. Summed irreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong>each species in <strong>the</strong> 1997/98 commercial catch0 Summed irreplaceability 10 20EstuariesHunter RiverLake MacquarieTuggerah Lakes<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RiverNarrabeen LakePort JacksonBotany BayPort HackingLake IllawarraFig. b. Number <strong>of</strong> species in <strong>the</strong> 1997/98 commercial catch0 Number <strong>of</strong> species 50 100EstuariesHunter RiverLake MacquarieTuggerah Lakes<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RiverNarrabeen LakePort JacksonBotany BayPort HackingLake IllawarraFig. c. Commercial catch for estuaries in 1997/980 Catch (kg) 200,000 400,000Fig. 30. Summed irreplaceability, number <strong>of</strong> species and weight <strong>of</strong> commercial catch forestuaries in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion in 1997/98. Data from NSW DPI (pers. comm.Ge<strong>of</strong>f Liggins and Marnie Tanner).52
NewcastleSwanseaThe EntranceTerrigalBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong>Sydney HarbourBotany BayPort HackingWollongongPortsFig. a. Summed irreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong>each species in <strong>the</strong> 1997/98 commercial catch at leastonce<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria0 Summed irreplaceability 20 40NewcastleSwanseaThe EntranceTerrigalBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong>Sydney HarbourBotany BayPort HackingWollongongPortsFig. b. Number <strong>of</strong> species in <strong>the</strong> 1997/98 commercial catch0 Number <strong>of</strong> species 60 120NewcastleSwanseaThe EntranceTerrigalBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong>Sydney HarbourBotany BayPort HackingWollongongPortsFig. c. Commercial catch for 1997/980 Catch (kg)300,000 600,000Fig. 31. Summed irreplaceability, number <strong>of</strong> species and weight <strong>of</strong> commercial catch forocean ports in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion in 1997/98. Data from NSW DPI(pers. comm. Ge<strong>of</strong>f Liggins and Marnie Tanner).53
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.3.3 NSW DPI threatened species databaseData SourceNSW DPI threatened species database.Data DescriptionThe Fisheries Management Act 1994 includes provisions to declare threatened species <strong>of</strong> fishand marine vegetation, endangered populations and ecological communities and keythreatening processes.Four marine species have been declared threatened:• Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)• Grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus)• Black cod (Epinephelus daemelii)• Green sawfish (Pristis zijsron).Seven o<strong>the</strong>r marine species are protected in NSW waters:• Ballina angelfish (Chaetodontoplus ballinae)• Bleeker’s devil fish (Paraplesiops bleekeri)• Weedy sea dragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus)• Elegant wrasse (Anampses elegans)• Estuary cod (Epinephelus coioides)• Herbsts nurse shark (Odontaspis ferox)• Queensland groper (Epinephelus lanceolatus).O<strong>the</strong>r species protected from commercial fishing include:• Black marlin (Makaira indica)• Blue marlin (Makaira nigricans)• Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax)• Blue groper (Achoerodus viridis).Sightings in <strong>the</strong> NSW threatened species database depend on voluntary reports and arecurrently limited to 129 records for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion. While <strong>the</strong> data areprobably too sparse for quantitative analysis, <strong>the</strong>y provide descriptive, site specific information.CriteriaRepresentativeness<strong>Assessment</strong> measureDescriptive summary<strong>Assessment</strong>Table 3 lists sightings <strong>of</strong> threatened fish species in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.54
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaTable 3. Sightings <strong>of</strong> threatened fish species in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.Species Nearest town Plan unitNorah Head Munmorah-TuggerahBlack codPalm BeachSydneyCoogeeCronullaLake IllawarraBrisbane Water-SydneySydney-Botany BaySydney-Botany BayBotany Bay-P. HackingL. IllawarraGreat white shark Coogee Sydney-Botany BayGrey nurse sharkBleeker’s devil fishElegant wrasseEstuary codNewcastleTerrigalSydneyCoogeeMaroubraSwanseaNewcastleNorah HeadTerrigalDee WhySydneyCoogeeLa PerouseCronullaPort HackingCoogeeCronullaCoogeeCronullaHunter-L.MacquarieTuggerah-AvocaSydney-Botany BaySydney-Botany BaySydney-Botany BayLake Macquarie-MunmorahHunter-Lake MacquarieMunmorah-TuggerahTuggerah-AvocaNarrabeen-Sydney HarbourSydney-Botany BaySydney-Botany BaySydney-Botany BayBotany Bay-P. HackingPort HackingSydney-Botany BayBotany Bay-P. HackingSydney-Botany BayBotany Bay-P. HackingQueensland groper Coogee Sydney-Botany BayTerrigal Tuggerah-AvocaWeedy sea dragonPalm BeachSydneyCoogeeLa PerouseKurnellCronullaWollongongBrisbane Water-NarrabeenSydney-Botany BaySydney-Botany BaySydney-Botany BayBotany Bay-P. HackingBotany Bay-P. HackingTowradgi Ck-Shellharbour55
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.3.4 Threatened Grey Nurse SharkData sourceA GIS coverage <strong>of</strong> significant grey nurse shark aggregation sites was prepared from data fromOtway and Parker (2000), Otway et al. (2003) and from unpublished data collected duringsurveys up until October 2000.Data descriptionThe grey nurse shark is listed as endangered under <strong>the</strong> Fisheries Management Act 1994. NSWFisheries staff and volunteer scuba divers surveyed approximately 65 sites during 4 weeksurvey periods in each season (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring) between November 1998 andOctober 2000.CriteriaRepresentativeness, ecological importance, threatened species.<strong>Assessment</strong> measureMaximum number <strong>of</strong> sharks observed during surveys and o<strong>the</strong>r sites where sharks have beenobserved in <strong>the</strong> past.<strong>Assessment</strong>Grey nurse sharks have been observed at a number <strong>of</strong> locations in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>bioregion (Fig. 32) but recent surveys have identified Magic Point, <strong>of</strong>f South Maroubra as animportant aggregation site. Sharks have been observed here for over 50% <strong>of</strong> surveys in numbersrepresenting 3.5% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> observed population (NSW Fisheries 2002).In December 2002, NSW Fisheries declared an area <strong>of</strong> critical habitat 200 m out from <strong>the</strong> shoreat Magic Point, with an 800 m buffer extending beyond this. In <strong>the</strong> critical habitat and bufferzones commercial fishing by drop, drift or set line is now banned, as is any fishing with wiretrace from an anchored or moored vessel.In addition, any fishing with bait in <strong>the</strong> critical habitat zone from a moored or anchored vesselis prohibited, but fishing with lure or fly, trolling (with or without trace), drift fishing with aweight less than 500 grams (with or without trace), or fishing without wire trace from <strong>the</strong> beachor rocks is allowed. Commercial line fishers are limited to using recreational fishing gear incritical habitat and buffer zones.There are also rules for scuba diving in critical habitats to limit <strong>the</strong> disturbance to grey nursesharks. These include prohibiting night dives, blocking <strong>of</strong> caves and gutters, feeding, touchingor chasing sharks and <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> electronic repelling devices and underwater scooters.56
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaWollongongNowraSydneyGerroa BommieSouth MaroubraJibbon BomboraMarley Pt.Toothbrush Is.Newcastle Jervis Bay -Boat Harbour, Bowen Is.,Drum & Drumsticks, Docks,Nursery, Stoney Ck, Weedy ValleySwansea -Moon Is., Caves Beach ReefWybung Head ReefNorah Head -Hargraves Reef, 3 Mile ReefTerrigal -Foggy's Cave, East BomboraSouth Palm Beach ReefHole in <strong>the</strong> wallLong ReefWindang Is.Shell Harbour -Bass Pt., Minnamurra ReefShoalhaven Head -Banks, Shallows<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>Batemans <strong>Shelf</strong>Brush Is.Batemans Bay -Tollgate Is, Black RockNaroomaMontague Is.Batemans <strong>Shelf</strong> Merimbula -Tura HeadEden -Mewstone Rock, South HeadTw<strong>of</strong>old <strong>Shelf</strong>Grey Nurse Sharks - maximum count Previous sightings 0 1 - 5 5 - 1010 - 2020 - 330 50 kmNFig. 32. Maximum numbers <strong>of</strong> grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) observed at divesites in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>, Batemans <strong>Shelf</strong> and Tw<strong>of</strong>old <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregionsduring eight survey seasons in 1998 and 2000 and additional previous historicalsightings (data from Otway and Parker 2000).57
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.3.5 Threatened birds - National Parks and Wildlife Service (DEC)Data sourceInformation on threatened sea bird and wader species was derived from <strong>the</strong> NSW WildlifeAtlas, threatened species pr<strong>of</strong>iles and recovery plans from NPWS (NPWS 2000a, 2000b,2000c).Data descriptionThe NSW Wildlife Atlas records 32 species <strong>of</strong> intertidal wader and seabirds in NSW listed asthreatened (i.e. endangered or vulnerable) under <strong>the</strong> NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act1995. Of <strong>the</strong>se, 30 have been recorded from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion (Table 4), withfive species and one population listed as endangered. One endangered species, <strong>the</strong> Little Tern,currently has a significant nesting site at Towra Spit, Botany Bay and a history <strong>of</strong> nesting ato<strong>the</strong>r locations in <strong>the</strong> bioregion.Table 4. Threatened intertidal waders and seabirdsEndangeredBeach Stone-curlew Esacus neglectusBush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallariusGould's Petrel Pterodroma leucopteraLittle Tern Sterna albifronsHooded Plover Thinornis rubricollisLittle Penguin Eudyptula minor - NorthSydney Harbour populationVulnerableAustralasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilusBlack Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollisBlack-browed Albatross Diomedea melanophrysBlack-tailed Godwit Limosa limosaBlack-winged Petrel Pterodroma nigripennisBroad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellusFlesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipesGreat Knot Calidris tenuirostrisGreater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultiiGrey Ternlet Procelsterna ceruleaKermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglectaLesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolusLittle Shearwater Puffinus assimilusOsprey Pandion haliaetusPainted Snipe Rostratula benghalensisPied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostrisProvidence Petrel Pterodroma solandriRed-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricaudaSanderling Calidris albaShy Albatross Diomedea cautaSooty Albatross Phoebetria fuscaSooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosusSooty Tern Sterna fuscataTerek Sandpiper Xenus cinereusWhite Tern Gygis alba<strong>Assessment</strong>Little TernLittle Terns (Sterna albifrons subspecies sinensis) nest in NSW during spring close to <strong>the</strong>entrances <strong>of</strong> estuaries on sand spits, sand islands and beaches, and feed in nearby waters(NPWS 2000b). A migratory Asian population that does not breed in NSW also occurs here butdoes not nest and is not <strong>the</strong> focus <strong>of</strong> threatened species management in NSW.Prey species recorded from NSW include <strong>the</strong> Port Jackson perchlet (Ambassis jacksoniensis),striped gudgeon (Gobiomorphus australis), empire gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa), sandysprat (Hyperlophus vittatus), sand mullet (Myxus elongatus), sea mullet (Mugil cephalus), silversweep (Scorpis lineolatus), trumpeter whiting (Sillago maculata), surf fish (Tropidostethusrhothophilus) and juvenile flying fish (NPWS 2000b).58
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaWhile no areas <strong>of</strong> critical habitat for Little Terns have yet been listed under <strong>the</strong> Act (1995),Botany Bay has been identified as a significant nesting site. As <strong>the</strong> condition and location <strong>of</strong>nesting habitats can vary greatly over different years, areas <strong>of</strong> critical habitat need to bereviewed regularly. The recovery plan for <strong>the</strong> Little Tern also includes provision for exploringand implementing opportunities for <strong>the</strong> creation and enhancement <strong>of</strong> Little Tern nesting habitat.Table 5. lists historical nesting sites <strong>of</strong> Little Tern with <strong>the</strong> largest and most recent nestingrecords. Sightings <strong>of</strong> Little Terns have also been recorded from around <strong>the</strong> Hunter River, LakeMacquarie, Tuggerah Lakes, Long Reef, Brisbane Water, Parramatta River, East Sydney,Botany Bay and Lake Illawarra.The most significant colony in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion was previously located on <strong>the</strong>nor<strong>the</strong>rn side <strong>of</strong> Botany Bay but was relocated to Towra Spit Island in 1993/94 to make way fora third runway at Sydney Airport (NPWS 2000b). This area is currently within <strong>the</strong> Towra PointAquatic Reserve and adjacent to <strong>the</strong> Towra Point Nature Reserve.Table 5. Nesting sites <strong>of</strong> Little Tern in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> (NPWS 2000b).Nesting site Last Record Largest colony recordedHunter RiverRedheadSwanseaBudgewoiThe EntranceDee Why LagoonHomebush BayMaroubraBotany BayBoat HarbourBellambi PointTowradgi BeachSouth Wollongong BeachPort Kembla HarbourPort Kembla BeachLake IllawarraShellharbour1972/73pre 19691959/601960’s1994/951947/481964/651943/441996/971958/591977/78pre 19501984/851965/66pre 19771978/791978/797 pairs 1932/33No data4 pairs 1959/60no data2 pairs 1994/952-3 pairs 1947/481 pair 1964/651 pair 1943/4460 pairs 1996/974-5 pairs pre 195020 pairs 1964/65no data50 pairs 1956/5750 pairs 1955/56A few pairs pre 19771 pair 1978/791 pair pre 1978/79Gould’s PetrelGould's Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera) breeds on Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah Islands <strong>of</strong>f<strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> Port Stephens in <strong>the</strong> Manning <strong>Shelf</strong> marine bioregion. They do however foragewidely in <strong>the</strong> Tasman Sea and have been recorded as far north as <strong>the</strong> Queensland border andwest as far as Eyre in Western Australia. The species feeds primarily on surface fish, smallsquid and krill (NPWS 2000a).59
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionCabbage Tree and Boondelbah Islands are protected within John Gould Nature Reserve andBoondelbah Nature Reserve. Sightings in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion include <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Port Jackson, Boat Harbour (south <strong>of</strong> Botany Bay) and Wollongong.Beach Stone-curlewThe Beach Stone-curlew (Esacus neglectus) was known from around nor<strong>the</strong>rn Australia as farsouth as <strong>the</strong> Manning River, but has largely disappeared from <strong>the</strong> south-eastern extent <strong>of</strong> itsrange. It has been estimated that <strong>the</strong> current Australian population may be as few as 15 breedingpairs. It occurs on open undisturbed beaches, islands, reefs, rock platforms and intertidal sandand mud flats in estuaries and river mouths. Its diet includes crabs and o<strong>the</strong>r marineinvertebrates. Threats to this species include loss <strong>of</strong> habitat to development, human disturbancefrom sources including four wheel driving and boating, predation by raptors, cats, dogs andpigs, high tides and nest desertion (NPWS 1999a).Sightings in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> include <strong>the</strong> Sydney area and a recent sighting in CabbageTree Basin in Port Hacking. A recovery plan has not yet been prepared for this species.Bush Stone-curlewThe Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius) is widespread throughout nor<strong>the</strong>rn Australia andwas once widespread along <strong>the</strong> east coast <strong>of</strong> NSW including much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cumberland plain andin <strong>the</strong> Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond, Clarence, Macleay, Manning and Hunter Valleys.However, recently <strong>the</strong> east coast NSW population appears to be restricted to areas nearGosford, Port Macquarie, Grafton, Port Stephens and Karuah.This species is generally found in open woodland and feeds on insects, molluscs, centipedes,crustaceans, frogs, lizards, snakes and some vegetation. Threats include loss <strong>of</strong> habitat(including fallen woody debris), altered fire regimes, disturbance from humans, cultivation,over grazing and forestry, poisoned rabbit baits and predation by foxes, pigs, dogs and cats(NPWS 1999b). Most sightings in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion have been recorded fromaround Brisbane Water but <strong>the</strong>re are also reports from near Tuggerah Lakes, Pittwater, <strong>the</strong>Georges River, Towra Point in Botany Bay and Cabbage Tree Basin in Port Hacking. A draftrecovery plan has been prepared for this species.Hooded ploverThe Hooded Plover (Thinornis rubricollis) occurs throughout south-eastern and south-westernAustralia. Within NSW, it occurs south <strong>of</strong> Jervis Bay but was known previously as far north asPort Stephens and has occasionally been sighted in Wollongong and Sydney. In Australia thisspecies is found mostly on long stretches <strong>of</strong> sandy shore adjacent to lagoons and nesting onsparsely vegetated sand dunes. Its diet consists <strong>of</strong> marine worms, molluscs, crustaceans, insects,water plants and seeds. Threats include predation by silver gulls, foxes and raptors, loss <strong>of</strong>habitat to development, destruction <strong>of</strong> nests by stock and disturbance during <strong>the</strong> breedingseason from humans and four wheel driving in dune areas (NPWS 1999c). A recovery plan hasnot yet been prepared for this species.Little PenguinThe Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) colony at North Sydney Harbour is <strong>the</strong> only knownbreeding colony in mainland NSW. This colony has been listed as an endangered populationand known nesting areas, possible foraging habitat (seagrass beds in Spring Cove), potentialnesting areas (Dobroyd Head, Cannae Point and parts <strong>of</strong> Little Manly Cove) and aquatic habitat50 m seaward <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mean high water have been declared critical habitat (Fig. 33, NPWS 2004).Little Penguins are found only in Australia and New Zealand and generally breed from south <strong>of</strong>Port Stephens, through Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia as far west as Fremantle inWestern Australia. In <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion breeding sites include North Sydney60
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaHarbour, Lion Island in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (300), and <strong>the</strong> Five Islands <strong>of</strong>f Wollongong(1,500). Throughout NSW, <strong>the</strong>re are thought to be around 49,000 breeding pairs at 22 sitesincluding: Montague Island (~5,000), Tollgate Island (~5,000), Brush Island (2,500), SouthSolitary Island, Cabbage Tree Island (100), and Boondelbah Island <strong>of</strong>f Port Stephens. Largerpopulations are present at Gabo Island (18,000) and Phillip Island (12,000) in Victoria, and StHelens Island in Tasmania (15,000).Nesting occurs in 60-80 cm burrows on <strong>the</strong> shore in sand dunes, rock piles, sea caves, andunder houses and over-hanging vegetation. Foraging occurs generally within 10-30 km <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>colony for adults but dispersal <strong>of</strong> immature birds occurs over hundreds <strong>of</strong> kilometres. Their dietincludes mainly small schooling fish like anchovies (Engraulis australis), pilchards (Sardinopsneopilchardus), blue sprat (Spratelloides delicatulus), common hardyhead (A<strong>the</strong>rinomorusogilbyi), small mou<strong>the</strong>d hardy head (A<strong>the</strong>rinomorus sp.), sou<strong>the</strong>rn herring (Herklotsichthyscastelnaui), bulls eye (Priacanthus spp.), squid and krill (NPWS 2000c).Threats include predation by dogs, cats and foxes, disturbance from humans and boat traffic,loss <strong>of</strong> nesting habitat to development, pollution and <strong>the</strong> potential effects <strong>of</strong> commercial fishing(NPWS 2000c).Within critical habitat areas in North Sydney Harbour, interfering with penguins or nests isillegal, pets are not permitted, no fishing is allowed between sunset and sunrise during <strong>the</strong>breeding season (July 1 to February 28) and anchoring restrictions apply (Fig. 33). NorthSydney Harbour Aquatic Reserve includes most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> critical habitat and restricts recreationalfishing and spear fishing but permits commercial haul netting in some areas.Surveys between 1997 and 2000 indicate a minimum <strong>of</strong> 50 breeding pairs around North SydneyHarbour. Mainland colonies in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion have previously been recordedfrom Cape Banks in Botany Bay, Avoca Beach, and West Head in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River.Foraging Little Penguins have been reported from inside and outside Sydney Harbour, <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Botany Bay, Port Hacking, Wollongong and between <strong>the</strong> Hunter River andTuggerah Lakes.O<strong>the</strong>r threatened bird speciesFor estuaries, most threatened bird species were sighted at Tuggerah Lakes, Parramatta River,Botany Bay, Hunter River and Lake Illawarra, while most sightings occurred in <strong>the</strong> HunterRiver and Lake Illawarra and <strong>the</strong> highest summed irreplaceability in Tuggerah Lakes and <strong>the</strong>Parramatta River (Fig. 34).For sections <strong>of</strong> coast and ocean most threatened bird species were sighted in <strong>the</strong> Botany Bay-Port Hacking and Sydney Harbour-Botany Bay sections, with most sightings and <strong>the</strong> highestsummed irreplaceability in <strong>the</strong> Botany Bay-Port Hacking section (Fig. 35).61
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig. 33. Critical habitat for <strong>the</strong> Little Penguin in North Sydney Harbour (map from NPWS2004).62
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaEstuariesHunter RLake MacquarieTuggerah LakesWamberal LagoonTerrigal LagoonAvoca LakeBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RiverPittwaterNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonParramatta RiverGeorges RiverBotany BayPort HackingTowradgi CreekLake IllawarraFig. a. Number <strong>of</strong> threatened bird species sighted0 Number <strong>of</strong> species 8 16EstuariesHunter RLake MacquarieTuggerah LakesWamberal LagoonTerrigal LagoonAvoca LakeBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RiverPittwaterNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonParramatta RiverGeorges RiverBotany BayPort HackingTowradgi CreekLake IllawarraFig. b. Number <strong>of</strong> individual sightings0 Number <strong>of</strong> sightings 10,000 20,000EstuariesHunter RLake MacquarieTuggerah LakesWamberal LagoonTerrigal LagoonAvoca LakeBrisbane Water<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> RiverPittwaterNarrabeen LagoonDee Why LagoonParramatta RiverGeorges RiverBotany BayPort HackingTowradgi CreekLake IllawarraFig. c. Summed irreplaceability0 Irreplaceability 2 4Fig. 34. Number <strong>of</strong> threatened bird species sighted, number <strong>of</strong> sightings and summedirreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong> each species at least once for estuaries in <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion (NPWS Wildlife Atlas).63
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionCoast sectionsCoast sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. a. Number <strong>of</strong> threatened bird species0 Number <strong>of</strong> species 10 20Fig. b. Number <strong>of</strong> threatened bird sightings0 Number <strong>of</strong> sightings 300 600Coast sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. c. Summed irreplaceability0 Irreplaceability3Fig. 35. Number <strong>of</strong> threatened bird species sighted, number <strong>of</strong> sightings and summedirreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong> each species at least once for sections <strong>of</strong>ocean and coast in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion (NPWS Wildlife Atlas).64
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.3.6 Significant areas for shorebirds and seabirds –Department <strong>of</strong> Environmentand HeritageData sourceCommonwealth Department <strong>of</strong> Environment and Heritage (DEH).Data descriptionGIS shape files and data tables for areas considered by Wetlands International (Oceania) assignificant for shorebirds (Watkins 1993) and islands for which Environment Australia hasbreeding records.CriteriaRepresentativeness, threatened species and ecological importance.<strong>Assessment</strong> MeasuresArea <strong>of</strong> habitat, number <strong>of</strong> species, number <strong>of</strong> birds and summed species irreplaceability.Data assessmentLake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes had <strong>the</strong> most nearby area declared as significant forshorebirds, but <strong>the</strong> Hunter River had by far <strong>the</strong> greatest number <strong>of</strong> shorebirds, shore birdspecies, and summed irreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong> each species at least once. Significantshore bird areas also occurred in <strong>the</strong> Parramatta River and Botany Bay (Fig. 36).The Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour section <strong>of</strong> ocean and coast included <strong>the</strong> most sea bird islands in<strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion and <strong>the</strong> most nesting seabirds, seabird species, and summedirreplaceability for representation <strong>of</strong> each species once. Sea bird breeding islands were als<strong>of</strong>ound between Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes and in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (Fig. 37).65
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionBatemans / <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> Batemans / <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> Batemans / <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> Batemans / <strong>Hawkesbury</strong>Hunter RLake MacquarieTuggerah LakesParramatta RiverBotany BayShoalhaven RiverWagonga InletFig. a. Area <strong>of</strong> significant shore bird locations0 Hectares6,000 12,000Fig. b. Number <strong>of</strong> shore bird speciesHunter RLake MacquarieTuggerah LakesParramatta RiverBotany BayShoalhaven RiverWagonga Inlet0 Number <strong>of</strong> species 5 10Fig. c. Number <strong>of</strong> shore birdsHunter RLake MacquarieTuggerah LakesParramatta RiverBotany BayShoalhaven RiverWagonga InletHunter RLake MacquarieTuggerah LakesParramatta RiverBotany BayShoalhaven RiverWagonga Inlet0 Number <strong>of</strong> birds 10,000 20,000Fig. d. Summed irreplaceability0 Irreplaceability6 12Fig. 36. Area, number <strong>of</strong> species, number <strong>of</strong> birds and summed irreplaceability forrepresentation <strong>of</strong> each species at least once for significant shore bird locations in<strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> and Batemans <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregions (Department <strong>of</strong> Environment andHeritage).66
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaBatemans / <strong>Hawkesbury</strong>Batemans / <strong>Hawkesbury</strong>Batemans / <strong>Hawkesbury</strong>Batemans / <strong>Hawkesbury</strong>Fig. a. Number <strong>of</strong> sea bird breeding islandsL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Brisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Towradgi Ck-ShellharbourShellharbour-CrookedJervis-SwanWillinga-DurrasDurras-BatemansWagonga-Wallaga0 Number islands 2 4Fig. b. Number <strong>of</strong> breeding seabird speciesL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Brisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Towradgi Ck-ShellharbourShellharbour-CrookedJervis-SwanWillinga-DurrasDurras-BatemansWagonga-Wallaga0 Number <strong>of</strong> species 5 10Fig. c. Number <strong>of</strong> breeding seabirdsL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Brisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Towradgi Ck-ShellharbourShellharbour-CrookedJervis-SwanWillinga-DurrasDurras-BatemansWagonga-Wallaga0 Number <strong>of</strong> birds 25,000 50,000Fig. d. Summed irreplaceabilityL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Brisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Towradgi Ck-ShellharbourShellharbour-CrookedJervis-SwanWillinga-DurrasDurras-BatemansWagonga-Wallaga0 Summed 2 4irreplaceabilityFig. 37. Area, number <strong>of</strong> species, number <strong>of</strong> birds and summed irreplaceability forrepresentation <strong>of</strong> each species at least once for sea bird breeding islands in <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> and Batemans <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregions (Department <strong>of</strong> Environment andHeritage).67
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.3.7 Marine mammals and reptilesData sourcesDepartment <strong>of</strong> Environment and Heritage – Species <strong>of</strong> National Significance database.Transport Safety Bureau’s NSW Oil Spill Response Atlas V 2.2 (CD-ROM June 2000).Data DescriptionThe database held by <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Environment and Heritage holds broadscaledistribution maps and taxonomic, ecological and management information about Species <strong>of</strong>National Environmental Significance. The Oil Spill Response Atlas includes sightings data formarine mammals.CriteriaRepresentativeness and threatened species.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresDescriptive summary.<strong>Assessment</strong>Marine mammals <strong>of</strong> national significance with mapped distributions that include <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion include <strong>the</strong> humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), sou<strong>the</strong>rnright whale (Eubalaena australis), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), fin whale (Balaenopteraphysalus), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), and <strong>the</strong> dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchusobscurus). Marine reptiles <strong>of</strong> national significance with distributions that include <strong>the</strong> bioregionare <strong>the</strong> green turtle (Chelonia mydas), lea<strong>the</strong>rback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), elegant seasnake (Hydrophis elegans), and <strong>the</strong> yellow bellied sea snake (Pelamis platurus). These speciesextend well beyond NSW and several are at <strong>the</strong> limit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir range (Gill et al. 2000).The NSW Oil Spill Response Atlas includes 1002 sightings <strong>of</strong> marine mammals in <strong>the</strong>bioregion including humpback whale, false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), killer whale(Orcinus orca), Blaineville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), Andrew’s beaked whale(Mesoplodon bowdoini), Gray’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon grayii), strap-tooth beaked whale(Mesoplodon layardi), long finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), melon-head whale(Peponocephala electra), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), pygmy sperm whale(Kogia breviceps), dwarf sperm whale (Kogia simus), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus),short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), sou<strong>the</strong>rn right whale (Eubalaenaaustralis), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis),Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), striped dolphin(Stenella coeruleoalba), rough too<strong>the</strong>d dolphin (Steno bredanens), dugong (Dugong dugon),leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus), New Zealandfur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri), Subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicali) Australian sealion(Neophoca cinerea) and sou<strong>the</strong>rn elephant seal (Mirounga leonina). Again, <strong>the</strong>distributions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se mammals extend beyond <strong>the</strong> bioregion and several are at <strong>the</strong> limit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>irrange.Most sightings occurred in <strong>the</strong> Tuggerah-Avoca (170), Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ck (121),<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (89), and Munmorah-Tuggerah (78) broadscale scale plan units. Mostspecies were sighted in <strong>the</strong> Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ck (17 species) plan unit but all o<strong>the</strong>r unitsincluded sightings <strong>of</strong> 11-16 species.A number <strong>of</strong> species are relatively common throughout <strong>the</strong> bioregion. Humpback whales areregularly observed <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> NSW coast in June and July migrating to winter breeding grounds <strong>of</strong>fQueensland and returning south between October and November to feeding areas in colderwaters. This east Australian population <strong>of</strong> humpbacks was estimated to have declined from10,000 to 500 whales during <strong>the</strong> first half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 20 th century but is now increasing (Baker 1983;Paterson and Paterson 1989; Smith 1997). These whales <strong>of</strong>ten pass close to <strong>the</strong> coast,68
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteriaparticularly near prominent headlands, and whale watching tourism is becoming established inseveral ports.69
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.4 Ecological importance, condition and vulnerability4.4.1 Ramsar sites - nationally and internationally important wetlandsData SourceThe Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty signed by 123 parties for<strong>the</strong> conservation and wise use <strong>of</strong> wetlands. Contracting parties designate wetlands for inclusionin a List <strong>of</strong> Wetlands <strong>of</strong> International Importance.Data DescriptionCriteria for identifying Ramsar sites include representativeness and uniqueness <strong>of</strong> wetlands, <strong>the</strong>flora and fauna present (including ‘fish habitat values’) and specific criteria for waterfowl.CriteriaRepresentativeness and threatened species.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresPresence and area <strong>of</strong> Ramsar sites.<strong>Assessment</strong>Two Ramsar internationally important wetlands occur in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion atKooragang Nature Reserve (including Fullerton Cove, Hexham Swamp and Kooragang Island)and at Towra Point (Fig. 4). These important sites and <strong>the</strong>ir significance are discussed fur<strong>the</strong>r inChapter 5.4.4.2 Directory <strong>of</strong> important wetlands in AustraliaData SourceThe “Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands” (ANCA 1996) is a cooperative project between <strong>the</strong>Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments <strong>of</strong> Australia, coordinated by <strong>the</strong> Department<strong>of</strong> Environment and Heritage to identify nationally important wetlands.Data DescriptionThe wetlands listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory are those which meet <strong>the</strong> criteria <strong>of</strong> national importance asrevised by <strong>the</strong> ANZECC Wetlands Network in August 1994. All wetlands which meet <strong>the</strong>criteria have been listed, not just <strong>the</strong> best representatives <strong>of</strong> a wetland type. Criteria used toassess important wetlands include:Is <strong>the</strong> wetland:• a good example <strong>of</strong> a wetland type occurring in <strong>the</strong> bioregion• important ecologically or hydrologically in <strong>the</strong> natural functioning <strong>of</strong> a major wetlandsystem/complex• important as habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir life cycle, or does itprovide refuge in adverse conditions such as drought• supporting 1% or more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> national population <strong>of</strong> any plant or animal taxa• supporting native plant, animal taxa or communities considered endangered or vulnerable ata national level• <strong>of</strong> outstanding historical or cultural significance.CriteriaRepresentativeness and international or national importance.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresPresence <strong>of</strong> nationally important wetlands.70
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria<strong>Assessment</strong>Table 6 lists <strong>the</strong> locations <strong>of</strong> important wetlands in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion and <strong>the</strong>seimportant areas are mapped in and discussed in detail in Chapter 5.Table 6. Important wetlands in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion (ANCA 1996):Wetland nameKooragang NatureReserveLocation descriptionTidal and intertidal wetlands on <strong>the</strong> north side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hunter River.Hexham SwampColongra SwampBudgewoi Lake SandMassTuggerah LakeLargest wetland in <strong>the</strong> Hunter region at <strong>the</strong> confluence <strong>of</strong> Ironbark Creek and <strong>the</strong> HunterRiver, 12 km upstream from Newcastle.On <strong>the</strong> western side <strong>of</strong> Lake Munmorah near <strong>the</strong> Lake Munmorah Power Station inletchannel.On <strong>the</strong> eastern side <strong>of</strong> Budgewoi Lake at a former entrance to Tuggerah Lakes filled in byheavy seas.On <strong>the</strong> NSW Central Coast between The Entrance and Toukley.Brisbane Water Estuary A broad, shallow estuary connected to Broken Bay through a narrow channel.Newington WetlandsBotany WetlandsEve Street MarshTowra Point NatureReserve, AquaticReserve & Taren PointLake IllawarraFive Islands NatureReserveCoomaditchy LagoonMangrove and saltmarsh on <strong>the</strong> Parramatta River, 1 km west <strong>of</strong> Homebush Bay.Nor<strong>the</strong>rn shore <strong>of</strong> Botany Bay, Sydney, from Gardeners Road at Mascot to <strong>the</strong> Bay.Includes <strong>the</strong> Lachlan Swamps, Mill Pond, Mill Stream and Engine Pond.Low lying coastal floodplain <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> Cooks River at ArncliffeTowra Point Nature Reserve, Towra Point Aquatic Reserve, Taren Point, and wetlands atWoolooware Bay and Quibray Bays on <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn shore <strong>of</strong> Botany Bay.Shallow estuary approximately 8 km south <strong>of</strong> Wollongong.Approximately 500 m <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast near Port Kembla.A small coastal lake between <strong>the</strong> dunes at <strong>the</strong> original entrance to Lake Illawarra.71
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.4.3 Independent inquiry into coastal lakesData SourceHealthy Rivers Commission (2002a). Independent public inquiry into coastal lakes: final report.Data DescriptionThe classification assesses lakes on <strong>the</strong>ir “natural sensitivity, current condition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> waterbody and catchment, and recognised ecosystem and resource conservation values”. Theclassification also takes into account existing settlement, resource use, government and courtdecisions, potential for restoration and development <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r lakes in <strong>the</strong> region.<strong>Assessment</strong>s were influenced by <strong>the</strong> availability <strong>of</strong> information but were informed by dataanalysed by <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Land and Water Conservation (now DIPNR) in its “EstuariesInventory”, <strong>the</strong> Commonwealth Government’s “National Land and Water Resources Audit”and additional data from universities, independent experts, state agencies, councils andsubmissions made to <strong>the</strong> Coastal Lakes Inquiry.CriteriaRepresentativeness, uniqueness, threatened species, naturalness, vulnerability, managementpracticality and human use.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresQualitative ranks for natural sensitivity, existing catchment and lake condition, recognisedconservation value, potential to improve and orientation for management.<strong>Assessment</strong>The assessment examined twelve coastal lake systems in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion. Itsresults are summarised in Table 7.72
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaTable 7. Classification <strong>of</strong> coastal lakes in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion (HealthyRivers Commission 2002a).CoastalLakeNaturalSensitivityExisting ConditionCatchmentLakeConservationValueManagementOrientationMacquarie High Modified Severely affected High Targeted RepairTuggerah Extreme ModifiedWamberalTerrigalHighExtremeSeverelyModifiedSeverelyModifiedAvoca Extreme ModifiedCockrone Extreme ModifiedNarrabeenDee WhyCurl CurlManlyVeryHighExtremeExtremeExtremeSeverelyModifiedSeverelyModifiedSeverelyModifiedSeverelyModifiedModeratelyaffectedSeverely affectedHighLowTargeted RepairHealthyModifiedConditionSeverely affected Low Targeted RepairModeratelyaffectedModeratelyaffectedModeratelyaffectedLowLowModerateHealthyModifiedConditionHealthyModifiedConditionHealthyModifiedConditionSeverely affected Low Targeted RepairSeverely affected Low Targeted RepairSeverely affected Low Targeted RepairBellambi Extreme Modified Unknown Low Targeted RepairIllawarra High Modified Severely affected High Targeted Repair73
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.4.4 Environmental inventory <strong>of</strong> estuaries and coastal lagoonsData sourceBell and Edwards (1980). An inventory <strong>of</strong> estuaries and coastal lagoons in New South Wales.Total Environment Centre.Data descriptionBell and Edwards (1980) conducted inventories <strong>of</strong> NSW estuaries including a description <strong>of</strong>recreation/tourism significance, degree <strong>of</strong> disturbance, area, mean annual rainfall, mean annualrun<strong>of</strong>f and conservation features. While <strong>the</strong>se data may not be current in regards to coastaldevelopment and catchment use, <strong>the</strong>y provide a relative measure <strong>of</strong> differences among estuariesand a useful check against more recent inventories.CriteriaNaturalness and vulnerability.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresQualitative score between 1-4 for shore/water disturbance and for catchment disturbance.Verbal description <strong>of</strong> conservation and human-use values and threats.<strong>Assessment</strong>Scores for disturbance <strong>of</strong> shore and water range in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion aremoderate to high for most estuaries with <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> Port Hacking and WattamollaLagoon. Table 8 lists scores for twenty two estuaries.74
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaTable 8. Disturbance scores for estuaries in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion(0-Very Low to 5-Very High, Bell and Edwards 1980)Estuary Shore and water CatchmentHunter River 4 3Lake Macquarie 3 2Lake Munmorah 4 4Tuggerah Lake 3 2Wamberal Lagoon 4 4Terrigal Lagoon 4 4Avoca Lake 4 4Cockrone Lake 3 2Brisbane Water 4 3<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River 2 3Pittwater 3 2Narrabeen Lagoon 3 3Dee Why Lagoon 3 4Harbord Lagoon 4 4Manly Lagoon 4 4Port Jackson 4 4Botany Bay 4 4Georges River 3 3Port Hacking 2 2Wattamolla Lagoon 1 1Port Kembla 4 4Lake Illawarra 4 375
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.4.5 Australian Estuaries Database and <strong>the</strong> OzEstauries DatabaseData sourceDigby, M. J., Buchner, D., Saenger, P., Whelan, M. B., McConchie, D., Eyre, B. and Holmes,N. (1998) Australian Estuarine Database. Prepared for <strong>the</strong> National River Health Program,Urban Sub Program by <strong>the</strong> Centre for Coastal Management, Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Cross University,Lismore, NSW.Heap, A., Bryce, S., Ryan, D., Radke, L., Smith, C., Smith, R., Harris, P. and D. Heggie (2001).Australian Estuaries and Coastal Waterways: A Geoscience Perspective for Improved andIntegrated Resource Management. A Report to <strong>the</strong> National Land and Water Resources AuditTheme 7: Ecosystem Health. AGSO Geoscience Australia.Data descriptionThe OzEstuaries database combines data from <strong>the</strong> Australian Estuarine Database (AED) <strong>of</strong>Digby et al. (1998), with new data acquired for <strong>the</strong> Natural Land and Water Resources Audit.The new data includes geometrical measurements, facies (habitat) areas, denitrification ratesand efficiencies, sedimentation rates and sediment chemistry for estuaries and o<strong>the</strong>r coastalwaterways.The Australian Estuarine Database (AED) is derived from Buchner and Saenger (1989) with <strong>the</strong>revision <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> spatial data, and <strong>the</strong> inclusion <strong>of</strong> additional geographic and climaticdata.CriteriaEcological importance, naturalness (condition), vulnerability and human use.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresQualitative scores for condition, conservation value and threat, fisheries value and threat,ecological status and water quality.<strong>Assessment</strong>Table 9 summarises <strong>the</strong> estimated condition <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> estuaries in <strong>the</strong> OzEstuariesdatabase.76
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaTable 9. Condition <strong>of</strong> estuaries listed in <strong>the</strong> OzEstuaries Database.EstuaryConditionHunter Riverextensively modifiedLake Macquarie extensively modifiedTuggerah Lakes extensively modifiedBrisbane Water extensively modified<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River extensively modifiedPittwatermodifiedNarrabeen Lagoon extensively modifiedPort Jacksonextensively modifiedBotany Bayextensively modifiedPort HackingmodifiedPort Kembla Harbour extensively modifiedLake Illawarra extensively modifiedIn <strong>the</strong> Australian Estuaries Database, conservation value was high for <strong>the</strong> Hunter River, LakeMacquarie, <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Port Jackson and Botany Bay, low for Port Kembla, andmoderate for o<strong>the</strong>r listed estuaries. Conservation threat was “real” for all estuaries exceptBrisbane Water and Pittwater where threat was classed as “perceived”.Fisheries value was rated low for Port Hacking and Port Kembla, moderate for Pittwater, PortJackson and <strong>the</strong> Hunter River, and high for all o<strong>the</strong>r listed major estuaries. Fisheries threat was“real” for all estuaries except Brisbane Water and Pittwater, where threat was classed as“perceived”.Ecological status was “slightly affected” for Port Hacking, Pittwater and Brisbane Water,moderately affected for Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lakes, <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Botany Bay andLake Illawarra and considerably affected for <strong>the</strong> Hunter River, Narrabeen Lagoon, Port Jacksonand Port Kembla.Water quality was rated “poor (significant effect on <strong>the</strong> ecology <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> estuary)” for <strong>the</strong> HunterRiver, Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lakes, Narrabeen Lagoon, Port Jackson, Botany Bay andPort Kembla with no data available for <strong>the</strong> remaining listed major estuaries.77
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.4.6 Adjacent national parks and nature reservesData sourceGIS coverage <strong>of</strong> estate from NPWS.Data descriptionThese data include <strong>the</strong> boundaries <strong>of</strong> existing national parks, nature reserves, state conservationareas, historic sites, Aboriginal areas, and regional parks declared under <strong>the</strong> NSW NationalParks and Wildlife Act 1974. National parks and nature reserves are generally declared on <strong>the</strong>basis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir high conservation values and high natural condition. Their declaration helpsensure long term protection <strong>of</strong> those values, and provides an important permanent buffer forestuaries and coastal environments against <strong>the</strong> effects <strong>of</strong> inappropriate land use.CriteriaEcological importance, naturalness (condition) and vulnerability.<strong>Assessment</strong> measurePercent <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands managed as national park or nature reserve within 1 km <strong>of</strong> eachestuary and within 1 km <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> high water mark for sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast.These, and <strong>the</strong> following vulnerability measures, were also calculated for lands within 5 km <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> high water mark and as a percentage <strong>of</strong> all lands within each estuarine subcatchment. Thelatter measures provided similar information and so results are not reported here.<strong>Assessment</strong>For estuaries, <strong>the</strong> highest percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands within 1 km managed as national park ornature reserve occurred for Port Hacking (64%), Pittwater (45%), <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (42%),Brisbane Water (15%) and Wamberal Lagoon (16%). O<strong>the</strong>r estuaries had less than 10% <strong>of</strong>adjacent lands within 1 km included with national parks or nature reserves. Note that <strong>the</strong>seestimates do not include areas <strong>of</strong> national park or nature reserve occurring over <strong>the</strong> estuaries<strong>the</strong>mselves (e.g. 100% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> Wamberal Lagoon are in nature reserve).For sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast, <strong>the</strong> highest percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands within 1 km in nationalpark or nature reserve occurred in <strong>the</strong> Port Hacking-Stanwell Park section (92%), <strong>the</strong> Avoca-Brisbane Water section (42%) and <strong>the</strong> Botany Bay-Port Hacking section (26%). Tuggerah-Avoca, Munmorah-Tuggerah and Brisbane Water-Narrabeen had approximately 12% <strong>of</strong>adjacent land included in NPWS estate while all o<strong>the</strong>r sections <strong>of</strong> coast had less than 10% <strong>of</strong>adjacent lands in national park or nature reserve.78
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.4.7 WildernessData sourceNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).Data descriptionGIS coverage <strong>of</strong> areas declared as wilderness by NPWS.Identification criteriaEcological importance, naturalness (condition) and vulnerability.<strong>Assessment</strong> measurePercent <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands managed as wilderness within 1 km <strong>of</strong> each estuary and land within1 km <strong>of</strong> high water for sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast.<strong>Assessment</strong>No wilderness areas occurred within 1 km <strong>of</strong> any estuary or coast in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong>bioregion although this occurs to some degree in most o<strong>the</strong>r marine bioregions in NSW.4.4.8 SEPP 14 wetlandsData SourceDepartment <strong>of</strong> Planning, Infrastructure and Natural Resources (DIPNR).Data descriptionGIS coverage <strong>of</strong> coastal wetlands protected under State Environmental Planning Policy No. 14(SEPP 14) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NSW Environmental Planning and <strong>Assessment</strong> Act 1979.CriteriaEcological importance, naturalness (condition) and vulnerability.<strong>Assessment</strong> measurePercent <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands managed under SEPP 14 within 1 km <strong>of</strong> each estuary and within 1 km<strong>of</strong> high water for sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast.<strong>Assessment</strong>Brisbane Water, Tuggerah Lakes, Avoca Lake, Lake Macquarie, Hunter River, WamberalLagoon, Terrigal Lagoon, Lake Illawarra and Cockrone Lake all had 1-3% <strong>of</strong> adjacent landwithin 1 km included within <strong>the</strong> SEPP 14 classification. Areas around estuaries within <strong>the</strong>Sydney metropolitan area have not however, been classified under SEPP 14 and <strong>the</strong>refore thismeasure is unavailable for <strong>the</strong>se areas.Sections <strong>of</strong> coast between <strong>the</strong> Hunter River and Brisbane Water included less than 7% <strong>of</strong>adjacent land within SEPP 14 wetlands and <strong>the</strong> classification did not extend to o<strong>the</strong>r sections <strong>of</strong>coast in <strong>the</strong> Sydney Metropolitan area.79
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.4.9 State forestData SourceState Forests <strong>of</strong> NSW (now Forests NSW within DPI)Data descriptionGIS coverage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> location and extent <strong>of</strong> lands managed as State Forest.CriteriaEcological importance, naturalness (condition) and vulnerability.<strong>Assessment</strong> measurePercent <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands managed as State Forest within 1 km <strong>of</strong> each estuary and within 1 km<strong>of</strong> high water for sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast.<strong>Assessment</strong>The <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (1%) was <strong>the</strong> only estuary with any land within 1 km in State Forest.No lands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coast were included in State Forest.80
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaFig a.Percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent landin national park or nature reserve% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 30 %30 - 50 %50 - 70 %Hunter R.L. MacquarieFig b.Percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent landin wilderness areas% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 %0 - 20 %20 - 50 %50 - 80 %80 - 100 %<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> R.Tuggerah L.SydneyBotany BayPort HackingNL. Illawarra0 20 kmFig c.Percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent landin SEPP 14% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 20 %20 - 30 %30 - 60 %Fig d.Percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent landwithin State Forest% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 20 %20 - 40 %40 - 80 %Fig. 38. Percentage area <strong>of</strong> lands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> estuaries in national parks or naturereserves, wilderness areas, SEPP 14 wetland areas and State Forest in <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.81
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionCoast sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie- L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck -ShellharbourFig. a. Percent land in national park or nature reserveCoast sectionsCoast sectionsCoast sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-Shellharbour0 20 40 % area 60 80 100N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AFig. b. Percent land in SEPP 140 1 2 3 % area 4 5 6 7Fig. c. Percent land in built up areas0 10 20 30 % area 40 50 60 70Fig. d. Percent land with disturbed or high risk acid sulphate soils0 10 20 % area 30 40 50Fig. 39. Percentage area <strong>of</strong> land within 1 km <strong>of</strong> coast in national park or nature reserve,SEPP 14 areas (not available for Sydney Metropolitan Area), built up areas anddisturbed or high risk acid sulphate soil areas in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.82
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteria4.4.10 Land capabilityData SourceNSW Department <strong>of</strong> Land and Water Conservation (now DIPNR).Data descriptionGIS coverage <strong>of</strong> land capability from “Land capability mapping,” Soil Conservation Service,DLWC (DIPNR). NSW lands were classed by <strong>the</strong> capability <strong>of</strong> different soils and terrains tosupport 8 main categories <strong>of</strong> land use. The categories can be grouped into classes suitable forcultivation (1-3), suitable for grazing (4-6), or suitable for forest or left with natural vegetation(7-8).Identification criteriaVulnerability and naturalness (condition).<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresPercentages <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands in each pooled land capability group within 1 km <strong>of</strong> each estuaryand within 1 km <strong>of</strong> high water for sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast.<strong>Assessment</strong>Land capability for forest or land to be left under natural vegetation.The <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (39%), Narrabeen Lagoon (28%), Brisbane Water (20%) and TuggerahLakes (18%) had <strong>the</strong> most adjacent land within 1 km classed as suitable for forest or nativevegetation.The Munmorah-Tuggerah (53%), Hunter-Lake Macquarie (47%), Lake Macquarie-Munmorah(23%), Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ck (22%), Tuggerah-Avoca (16%) and Avoca-Brisbane Water(12%) sections had <strong>the</strong> most adjacent land suitable for forest or native vegetation. All o<strong>the</strong>rsections had less than 7% <strong>of</strong> land suitable for this purpose.Land capability for cultivationThe Hunter River (36%) and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (13%) had <strong>the</strong> most adjacent land suitablefor cultivation. All o<strong>the</strong>r estuaries had less than 5% <strong>of</strong> adjacent land suitable for cultivation.All sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast had less than 3% <strong>of</strong> adjacent land suitable for cultivation.Land capability for grazing.For all estuaries from Brisbane Water north, 10-70% <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands were classed as suitablefor grazing. All estuaries from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River south had less than 10% <strong>of</strong> adjacent landssuitable for grazing.Lake Macquarie-Munmorah had <strong>the</strong> highest proportion <strong>of</strong> adjacent areas (33%) within 1 km <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> coast suitable for grazing. All o<strong>the</strong>r sections had less than 10% <strong>of</strong> land suitable for grazing.83
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig a.Percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent landsuitable for timber or natural vegetationHunter R.Fig b.Percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent landsuitable for cultivation% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 20 %20 - 50 %50 - 80 %<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> R.L. MacquarieTuggerah L.% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 30 %30 - 50 %50 - 70 %SydneyBotany BayPort HackingNL. Illawarra0 20 kmFig c.Percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent landsuitable for grazing% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 20 %20 - 60 %60 - 100 %Fig d.Percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent landwithin built up areas% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 20 %20 - 50 %50 - 95 %Fig. 40. Percentage area <strong>of</strong> lands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> estuaries suited to different land uses andwithin built up areas in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.84
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaCoast sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. a. Percent land suitable for cultivation% area0 2Coast sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL. Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. b. Percent land suitable for grazing0 10 % area 20 30Coast sectionsHunter-L. MacquarieL.Macquarie-L. MunmorahL. Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L.-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narabeen L.Narabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. c. Percent land suitable for timber or natural vegetation0 10 20 30 % area 40 50 60Fig. 41. Percentage area <strong>of</strong> land within 1 km <strong>of</strong> coast in areas suitable for cultivation,grazing and timber or natural vegetation for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.85
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion4.4.11 Built-up areasData Source1:250,000 topographic database held by Geoscience Australia.Data descriptionGIS layer <strong>of</strong> built up areas.CriteriaVulnerability, naturalness (condition) and human use.<strong>Assessment</strong> measurePercent <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands in built up areas within 1 km <strong>of</strong> each estuary and within 1 km <strong>of</strong> highwater for sections <strong>of</strong> exposed coast.<strong>Assessment</strong>The <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> (0.6%) and <strong>the</strong> Hunter Rivers (3%) had <strong>the</strong> least area within 1 km in urbanareas. Lake Macquarie, Cockrone Lake, Tuggerah lake, Pittwater, Narrabeen Lagoon, PortHacking, Lake Illawarra, Brisbane Water and Wamberal Lagoon had between 20-44% <strong>of</strong> landwithin 1 km in urban areas. All o<strong>the</strong>r estuaries had between 53% (Botany Bay) and 88% (PortKembla) <strong>of</strong> adjacent land in urban areas.The Port Hacking-Stanwell Park coast (1.2%) had by far <strong>the</strong> least area within 1 km in built-upareas, followed by L. Macquarie-Munmorah (12%), Munmorah-Tuggerah (16%) and BotanyBay-Port Hacking (19%).Sydney Harbour-Botany Bay (62%), Tuggerah-Avoca, Brisbane Water-Narrabeen, Narrabeen-Sydney Harbour, and Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour all had over 50% <strong>of</strong> adjacent land in built upareas. All o<strong>the</strong>r sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast had between 20-40% <strong>of</strong> nearby land in built-up areas.4.4.12 Acid Sulphate SoilsData sourceGIS maps <strong>of</strong> acid sulphate soils from <strong>the</strong> NSW Department <strong>of</strong> Land and Water Conservation(now DIPNR).Data descriptionAcid sulphate soil risk maps predict <strong>the</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> acid soils based on an assessment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>geomorphic environment using 1:25,000 scale aerial photograph interpretation and field andlaboratory soil analysis. Acid sulphate soils occur naturally and only become a threat whenoxidised through exposure to <strong>the</strong> air. This occurs when ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> water table is lowered orsediments are excavated. Many estuaries in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregions have acidsulphate soils present, but <strong>the</strong>se cause little harm while left undisturbed. The threat <strong>of</strong> acidrelease is related to inappropriate land use as well as <strong>the</strong> occurrence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sediments<strong>the</strong>mselves.CriteriaVulnerability.<strong>Assessment</strong> measurePercent <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands with high risk or disturbed acid sulphate soils within 1 km <strong>of</strong> eachestuary.<strong>Assessment</strong>Port Hacking (3%), Cockrone Lake, Wollongong Harbour, Pittwater, Dee Why Lagoon,Terrigal Lagoon, Wamberal Lagoon and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River all had less than 10% <strong>of</strong>86
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification Criteriaadjacent land with high risk or disturbed acid sulphate soils. Port Kembla (62%) and BotanyBay (47%) had <strong>the</strong> most adjacent land with <strong>the</strong>se acid sulphate soils. All o<strong>the</strong>r estuaries hadbetween 10-25% <strong>of</strong> nearby land with high risk or disturbed acid sulphate soils.4.4.13 Australian River and Catchment Condition Database (ARCCD)Data sourceAustralian Rivers and Catchment Condition Database (ARCCD) produced by <strong>the</strong> AustralianHeritage Commission. (Stein et al. 2000) The Identification <strong>of</strong> Wild Rivers: Methodology anddatabase development. Australian Heritage Commission.Data descriptionGIS raster grids (with a cell size <strong>of</strong> 250 m) attributed with catchment and flow disturbanceindices calculated from a wide range <strong>of</strong> distance weighted, topographic features (e.g. land use,roads, mines, weirs, pollution sources, vegetation etc.)CriteriaNaturalness (condition) and vulnerability.<strong>Assessment</strong> measuresWeighted averages (by area) <strong>of</strong> grid indices for lands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> each estuary and within 5km <strong>of</strong> each section <strong>of</strong> exposed coast.<strong>Assessment</strong>Mean total river disturbance (RDI) :Mean RDI was lowest for Port Hacking (0.07), Lake Macquarie, Pittwater, Cockrone Lake,Terrigal Lagoon, Wamberal Lagoon and Brisbane Water (0.15-0.18) and highest for ManlyLagoon (0.55), Dee Why Lagoon, Harbord Lagoon, Botany Bay and Port Jackson.For sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast, mean RDI was lowest for <strong>the</strong> Port Hacking-Stanwell Park section(0.15), Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ck, Avoca-Brisbane Water and Lake Macquarie-Munmorahand highest for Sydney Harbour-Botany Bay, Narrabeen-Sydney Harbour and Hunter-LakeMacquarie.Mean Catchment disturbance (CDI) :Mean CDI was lowest for Port Hacking (0.14), <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Hunter River and LakeIllawarra and highest for Port Jackson (0.8), Harbord Lagoon, Manly Lagoon and Dee WhyLagoon, Wollongong Harbour and Towradgi Creek.For sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast, mean CDI was lowest for Port Hacking-Stanwell Park (0.14) andBotany Bay-Port Hacking and highest for Hunter R.–Lake Macquarie (0.75), Narrabeen–Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour-Botany Bay and Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour.Mean flow disturbance (FDI):Mean FDI was highest for Botany Bay (0.4), Dee Why Lagoon, Manly Lagoon, Georges River,Harbord Lagoon, Hunter River, <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River and Lake Illawarra and low for all o<strong>the</strong>restuaries.Mean FDI was not reported for sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast, as this measure is only relevant forrivers and estuaries.Mean settlement factor (SF):Mean SF was lowest for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (0.06), Port Hacking, Hunter River and LakeIllawarra and highest for Botany Bay (0.79), Port Jackson, Harbord Lagoon and Manly Lagoon.For sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast, mean SF was lowest for <strong>the</strong> Port Hacking-Stanwell Park (0.05),Stanwell Park-Towradgi Ck and Lake Macquarie-Munmorah sections and highest for <strong>the</strong>87
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionBotany Bay-Port Hacking, Hunter-Lake Macquarie, Sydney Harbour-Botany Bay, Narrabeen-Sydney Harbour and Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour.Mean land use factor (LUF):Mean LUF was lowest for Port Hacking (0.09), Pittwater (0.25) and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River(0.33) and highest for Botany Bay (0.88), Port Jackson, Manly Lagoon, Harbord Lagoon, LakeIllawarra and Dee Why Lagoon.For sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast, mean LUF was lowest for Port Hacking-Stanwell Park (0.08) andhighest for Botany Bay-Port Hacking (0.86), Hunter-Lake Macquarie, Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour, Narrabeen-Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour-Botany Bay and Brisbane Water-Narrabeen.Mean infrastructure factor (IF):Mean IF was lowest for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River (0.16), Port Hacking and <strong>the</strong> Hunter River andhighest for Manly Lagoon (0.77), Harbord Lagoon, Dee Why Lagoon, Wollongong Harbour,Towradgi Creek, Parramatta River, Botany Bay and Port Kembla.For sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast, mean IF was lowest for Munmorah-Tuggerah (0.13), L. Macquarie-Munmorah, Port Hacking-Stanwell Park and Avoca-Brisbane Water and highest for TowradgiCk-Shellharbour, Narrabeen-Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay-Port Hacking and Sydney Harbour-Botany Bay.Mean extractive industry/pollution point source factor (EF):Mean EF was lowest for Port Hacking (0.17) and highest for Manly Lagoon (1.0), HarbordLagoon, Dee Why Lagoon, Lake Illawarra, Botany Bay, Port Jackson, Wollongong Harbour,Narrabeen Lagoon and <strong>the</strong> Georges River.For sections <strong>of</strong> ocean coast, mean EF was lowest for Port Hacking-Stanwell Park (0.35) andLake Macquarie-Munmorah and highest for Botany Bay-Port Hacking (1.0), Hunter-LakeMacquarie, Brisbane Water-Narrabeen and Narrabeen-Sydney Harbour.88
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaFig a.Percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent landwith disturbed or high risk acidsulphate soils% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 20 %20 - 40 %40 - 80 %<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> R.Hunter R.Tuggerah L.L. MacquarieFig b.Mean total river disturbance index% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 0.050.05 - 0.10.1 - 0.250.25 - 0.40.4 - 0.8SydneyBotany BayPort HackingNL. Illawarra0 20 kmFig c.Mean catchment disturbance index% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 20 %20 - 40 %40 - 80 %Fig d.Mean river flow disturbance index% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 5 %5 - 10 %10 - 20 %20 - 40 %40 - 80 %Fig. 42. Percentage area <strong>of</strong> lands within 1 km <strong>of</strong> estuaries with disturbed or high risk acidsulphate soils and mean Australian River and Catchment Condition indices forestuaries in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.89
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig a.Mean settlement factor% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 0.0250.025 - 0.050.05 - 0.20.2 - 0.40.4 - 0.8Hunter R.L. MacquarieFig b.Mean land use factor% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 0.150.15 - 0.30.3 - 0.450.45 - 0.60.6 - 0.9<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> R.Tuggerah L.SydneyBotany BayPort HackingNL. Illawarra0 20 kmFig c.Mean infrastructure factor% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 0.10.1 - 0.20.2 - 0.30.3 - 0.50.5 - 0.8Fig d.Mean extractive industry / pollutionpoint source factor% area within 1km <strong>of</strong> waterway0 - 0.10.1 - 0.20.2 - 0.40.4 - 0.70.7 - 1Fig. 43. Mean Australian River and Catchment Condition indices (continued) for estuariesin <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.90
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> Identification CriteriaCoast sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. a. Overall river disturbance0 0.2 mean index 0.4Coast sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. b. Catchment disturbance0 0.2 0.4 mean index 0.6 0.8Coast sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. c. Settlement factor0 0.2 0.4 mean index 0.6 0.8Fig. 44. Mean Australian River and Catchment Condition indices within 5 km <strong>of</strong> coast foroverall river disturbance, catchment disturbance and settlement for <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.91
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionCoast sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. a. Land use0 0.4 mean index 0.8Coast sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourN/AFig. b. Extractive industry/pollution source0 0.4 mean index 0.8Coast sectionsHunter-L.MacquarieL.Macquarie-L.MunmorahL.Munmorah-Tuggerah L.Tuggerah L-Avoca L.Avoca L.-Brisbane WaterBrisbane Water-Narrabeen L.Narrabeen L.-Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour-Botany BayBotany Bay-Port HackingPort Hacking-Stanwell ParkStanwell Park-Towradgi CkTowradgi Ck-ShellharbourFig. c. Infrastructure0 0.2 0.4 mean index 0.6Fig. 45. Mean Australian River and Catchment Condition indices within 5 km <strong>of</strong> coast forland use, extractive industries and pollution, and infrastructure for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong><strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.92
Areas with Important <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Values5 Areas with important biodiversity valuesAnalysis <strong>of</strong> available data utilising methods described in Chapter 3 has allowed <strong>the</strong>determination <strong>of</strong> areas with <strong>the</strong> potential for incorporation into a system <strong>of</strong> marine protectedareas (MPAs) within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> marine bioregion. Specific locations andbiodiversity values that might be included in a system <strong>of</strong> MPAs are described below for <strong>the</strong>nor<strong>the</strong>rn and sou<strong>the</strong>rn parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion. Developing a system <strong>of</strong> MPAs would allowrepresentation <strong>of</strong> geographic variation in biodiversity throughout <strong>the</strong> bioregion.The primary ecological identification criteria for important areas used in this study werecomprehensiveness, representativeness and adequacy <strong>of</strong> management. The areas listed belowcontribute significantly to meeting criteria for comprehensiveness and representativeness formost mapped ecosystems, habitats and species. According to <strong>the</strong> environmental classificationused, this means representation <strong>of</strong> each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four major estuarine ecosystems, <strong>the</strong> four oceanecosystems classified by depth, and <strong>the</strong> eight habitat surrogates (mangrove, seagrass, saltmarsh,subtidal sediment, beach, intertidal rocky shore, subtidal reef and island), within areas that canbe effectively managed for <strong>the</strong> conservation <strong>of</strong> biodiversity.Areas with important biodiversity values were identified using:• national criteria for <strong>the</strong> identification <strong>of</strong> MPAs• a broadscale atlas <strong>of</strong> NSW marine ecosystems and habitats• existing broadscale scientific surveys <strong>of</strong> habitats, communities and species• existing data, maps, aerial photographs, literature and conservation assessments• new data coverages and analyses generated for this study• ecological guidelines for reserve design• discussions with scientists, managers and <strong>the</strong> community.5.1 <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> – Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Section (Hunter River to North Head)The nor<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion includes coastal waters and estuariesfrom <strong>the</strong> tidal limit within <strong>the</strong> Hunter River and its tributaries to North Head, Sydney Harbour.This section does not include <strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> Sydney Harbour and its tributaries.This section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion includes major examples <strong>of</strong> three <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four estuarine ecosystemtypes that occur in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion: wave dominated barrier estuaries (HunterRiver, Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Water); tide dominated river valleys(<strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River and Pittwater); and intermittent estuaries (Wamberal, Terrigal, Avoca,Cockrone, Narrabeen, Dee Why, Harbord and Manly Lagoons). There is no example <strong>of</strong> anocean embayment, <strong>the</strong> fourth estuarine ecosystem type, within this section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion.Estuarine ecosystems within this section represent almost 80% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> wave dominatedbarrier estuaries and 30% <strong>of</strong> intermittent estuaries within <strong>the</strong> bioregion. Summedirreplaceability scores for representation <strong>of</strong> 20% <strong>of</strong> estuarine habitats and ecosystems for <strong>the</strong>Hunter River, Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes are <strong>the</strong> highest in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. However,with <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hunter River, most estuaries in this section had 20-50% <strong>of</strong> adjacentlands in urban development.The nor<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion features large areas <strong>of</strong> ocean ecosystems between 0-20 mand 20-60 m water depth and also contains large areas <strong>of</strong> exposed intertidal beach, exposedintertidal rocky shore and inshore shallow reef and sand. However, deeper areas <strong>of</strong> 60-200 mocean ecosystems all lie outside <strong>the</strong> 3 nm limit <strong>of</strong> State waters and islands are less wellrepresented than for <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion. Summed irreplaceability scores for<strong>the</strong> Hunter-Lake Macquarie and Munmorah-Tuggerah sections <strong>of</strong> ocean and coast are exceededonly by <strong>the</strong> Stanwell Park-Shellharbour section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion. The ocean coast between <strong>the</strong>93
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionHunter River and Tuggerah Lakes had less than 20% <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands under urbandevelopment. Conversely, <strong>the</strong> Tuggerah-Avoca section had development occurring on greaterthan 50% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coast.Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most valuable areas for conservation <strong>of</strong> biodiversity and sustainable use <strong>of</strong> marineresources in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion are threatened by urban development andindustrialisation. Whilst mean river and catchment disturbance indices were low to moderatefor most estuaries and sections <strong>of</strong> coast from <strong>the</strong> Hunter River to Avoca Lake, <strong>the</strong> estuaries andcoast in this area tended to have a relatively high percentage <strong>of</strong> adjacent land with disturbed orhigh risk acid sulphate soils. Industries on <strong>the</strong> Hunter River (previous steelworks, associatedindustry and port), Lake Macquarie (two power stations and a smelter) and Tuggerah Lakes(power station) have had at least localised impacts on marine habitats in <strong>the</strong>se estuaries.The Healthy Rivers Commission Independent Inquiry into Coastal Lakes (Healthy RiversCommission 2002) rates <strong>the</strong> catchment condition <strong>of</strong> Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes asmodified, <strong>the</strong> condition <strong>of</strong> Lake Macquarie as severely affected and <strong>the</strong> condition <strong>of</strong> TuggerahLakes as moderately affected. These estuaries were rated as having a high conservation valuebut were “targeted for repair”.Much wetland habitat has been lost in <strong>the</strong> Hunter River catchment and many estuarine andfloodplain wetlands have been alienated from <strong>the</strong> river and substantially degraded. Thediversity <strong>of</strong> estuarine habitat has declined due to losses in shoreline, saltmarsh and open water.Up to 10 km 2 <strong>of</strong> estuarine wetlands have been destroyed, but <strong>the</strong> remaining wetlands remain ina healthy condition (ANCA 1996).Kooragang Island, within <strong>the</strong> Hunter River estuary, originally consisted <strong>of</strong> several smallerislands and bars, but attempts to control siltation has aggregated <strong>the</strong>se areas into larger units byfilling channels, constructing training walls, building levee banks and draining wetland areasfor agriculture. At least 18 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 33 species <strong>of</strong> migratory wading birds using <strong>the</strong> estuary havedeclined in numbers. The estimated mean number <strong>of</strong> birds fell by nearly 50% between <strong>the</strong>1970s and 1990s (Healthy Rivers Commission 2002b).The nor<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> bioregion includes 4 aquatic reserves (BarrenjoeyHead, Narrabeen Head, Long Reef and Cabbage Tree Bay) and Intertidal Protected Areas atBungan and Mona Vale Heads. Marine protected areas occur in Kooragang , Hexham Swamp,Wamberal Lagoon, Cockle Bay, Muogamarra, Pelican Island and Rileys Island nature reserves,and Ku-ring-gai Chase, Brisbane Water, Marramarra and Bouddi national parks.All <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> waters and 16% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lands surrounding Wamberal Lagoon are included in naturereserve. However with <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> Fullerton Cove in <strong>the</strong> Hunter River, less than 5% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>lands around o<strong>the</strong>r estuaries in this section are protected in coastal reserves. The Avoca-Brisbane Water section <strong>of</strong> ocean and coast has 42% <strong>of</strong> adjoining land included in national parksand nature reserves. Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> catchment and shoreline between Lake Munmorah and <strong>the</strong>Narrabeen Lakes is included in national park or nature reserve and much is inaccessible exceptby boat or on foot. The <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, Pittwater and Brisbane Water all have significantproportions <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands included in national park or nature reserve (42%, 45% and 15% <strong>of</strong>land within 1 km respectively).The nor<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion includes sightings <strong>of</strong> threatened and protected fishspecies, including black cod, grey nurse shark, Bleeker’s devil fish, and weedy sea dragon. Italso includes areas with a high diversity and abundance <strong>of</strong> shorebirds and <strong>the</strong> largest areas <strong>of</strong>significant shorebird habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. Moon Island and Caves Beach Reef <strong>of</strong>f Swansea,Wybung Head Reef, Hargraves Reef and Three Mile Reef <strong>of</strong>f Norah Head, and Foggy’s Caveand East Bombora <strong>of</strong>f Terrigal are all sites where threatened grey nurse shark have beenobserved in <strong>the</strong> past or recorded in recent surveys. South Palm Beach Reef, Hole in <strong>the</strong> Walland Long Reef are all sites where threatened grey nurse shark have been sighted in <strong>the</strong> past.94
Areas with Important <strong>Biodiversity</strong> ValuesThis section includes previous nesting sites <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Little Tern at <strong>the</strong> Hunter River, Redhead,Swansea, Budgewoi and The Entrance.The Hunter River, Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lakes and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River all have arelatively diverse and large recreational and commercial fish catch.Areas with important biodiversity values identified in this section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion are listedfollowing.• The Hunter River estuary features <strong>the</strong> largest area <strong>of</strong> mangrove habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion.The largest areas <strong>of</strong> saltmarsh habitat also occur in <strong>the</strong> Hunter River. The <strong>Hawkesbury</strong>River includes <strong>the</strong> second largest area <strong>of</strong> mangrove habitat. There are also large areas <strong>of</strong>mangrove habitat in Brisbane Water and Pittwater.• Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes include <strong>the</strong> two largest areas <strong>of</strong> seagrass habitat in<strong>the</strong> bioregion. This section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion includes estuaries with <strong>the</strong> second (TuggerahLakes), third (<strong>Hawkesbury</strong>) and fourth (Brisbane Water) largest areas <strong>of</strong> seagrass habitat in<strong>the</strong> bioregion. There are also significant areas <strong>of</strong> seagrass in Pittwater, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong>River and several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> intermittent lagoons.• Kooragang Island and Fullerton Cove, located within <strong>the</strong> Hunter River estuary, include <strong>the</strong>largest areas <strong>of</strong> mangrove and saltmarsh habitat in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion. Thisarea is recognised as a nationally and internationally important wetland by <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong>Important Wetlands, Ramsar and <strong>the</strong> Register <strong>of</strong> National Estate. It provides habitat formany species <strong>of</strong> migratory waders (ANCA 1996) and endangered bird species including <strong>the</strong>Little Tern (Sterna albifrons).Large areas <strong>of</strong> tidal mudflats in Fullerton Cove are visited by up to 10,000 waders eachsummer including <strong>the</strong> vulnerable Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa), Pied Oystercatcher(Haematopus longirostris), Mongolian Plover (Charadrius mongolus), Large Sandplover(Charadrius leschenaultii), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), Terek Sandpiper (Xenuscinereus), Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris) and Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicolafalcinellus).The estuarine herb Zannechellia palustris, considered endangered at a state level and foundin NSW only in <strong>the</strong> Newcastle/Lake Macquarie area, has been recorded immediatelyadjacent to <strong>the</strong> western end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kooragang Nature Reserve (ANCA 1996).After Myall Lakes, Kooragang Nature Reserve is <strong>the</strong> second largest MPA in NSW managedby <strong>the</strong> NPWS. The area has no direct protection for fish and aquatic invertebrates fromfishing but includes 72% and 57% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> mangroves and saltmarshes,respectively, in <strong>the</strong> Hunter River.• Hexham Swamp, located on <strong>the</strong> south arm <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hunter River at Ironbark Creek, is listedin <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands. Before <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> floodgates in 1971,approximately one third <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> swamp was estuarine wetland. Existing vegetation includesmangrove forests with grey (Avicennia marina) and river mangrove (Aegicerascorniculatum), saltmarsh including samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora) and saltwatercouch (Sporobolus virginicus), water buttons (Cotula coronopifolia), sea rush (Juncuskrausii), water couch (Paspalum distichum), common reed (Phragmites australis), broadleavedcumbungi (Typha orientalis) and swamp oak (Casuarina glauca).The estuarine wetlands were used as feeding habitat by migratory waders and many o<strong>the</strong>rbirds. The endangered Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) and green andgolden bell frog (Litoria aurea) and <strong>the</strong> vulnerable Magpie Goose (Anseranassemipalmata), Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa), Australasian Bittern (Botaurus95
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregionpoiciloptilus), Painted Snipe (Rostratula bengalensis) and Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparragallinacea) have been recorded from <strong>the</strong> swamp.Hexham Swamp is <strong>the</strong> most important habitat in <strong>the</strong> Hunter region for <strong>the</strong> migratoryLatham’s snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) listed under JAMBA and CAMBA. Prior to <strong>the</strong>floodgates <strong>the</strong> estuarine wetland also provided habitat for o<strong>the</strong>r species listed under JAMBAand CAMBA, including <strong>the</strong> Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), Bar-tailed Godwit(Limosa lapponica), Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), Whimbrel (Numeniusphaeopus), Grey-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes), and Greenshank (Tringa nebularia).These and o<strong>the</strong>r migratory waders would be expected to return to Hexham Swamp if <strong>the</strong>estuarine habitats were re-established (ANCA 1996). Historical records indicate that <strong>the</strong>waters <strong>of</strong> Hexham Swamp were also an important fish habitat prior to construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>floodgates.• Lake Macquarie includes <strong>the</strong> largest area <strong>of</strong> seagrass habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion, and includesimportant habitat for fish (Miskiewicz 1987) and invertebrates (Gibbs 1987). The areabetween Swansea Heads, Wangi Wangi, Belmont and Crangan Bay has been identified as afirst priority candidate site for an estuarine aquatic reserve (Frances 2000; NSW Fisheries2001).• Moon Island, listed on <strong>the</strong> Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Estate and included in Moon IslandNature Reserve, is a 1 ha island located 1 km north-east <strong>of</strong> Swansea and a breeding site for<strong>the</strong> Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor), Blackbacked Gull (Larus dominicus), Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus) and <strong>the</strong>Crested Tern (Sterna bergii).• Colongra Swamp, listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands, is located on <strong>the</strong> westside<strong>of</strong> Lake Munmorah. It is a small, shallow freshwater wetland with broad-leafed paperbark(Melaleuca quinquenervia), cumbungi (Typha augustifolia) and sea rush (Juncus kraussii)(ANCA 1996).Up to 200 breeding pairs <strong>of</strong> Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Pied Cormorant(Phalacrocorax varius), Little Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) and LittleBlack Cormorants (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) occur here with smaller numbers <strong>of</strong> Darters(Anhinga melanogaster), Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) and White Ibis (Threskiornismolucca) also nesting.White-bellied Sea-eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and Whistling Kites (Haliastursphenurus) nest in <strong>the</strong> swamp, and Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) nest in <strong>the</strong> reedbeds.Hoary-headed Grebes (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) occur here in winter.Species listed under JAMBA or CAMBA include <strong>the</strong> White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetusleucogaster) and Crested Tern (Sterna bergii) (ANCA 1996).• Bird Island, listed on <strong>the</strong> Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Estate and included in Bird Island NatureReserve, is a 7 ha island approximately 60 m high and 1.6 km <strong>of</strong>fshore <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coast nearLake Munmorah. Twelve species <strong>of</strong> seabird listed under JAMBA and CAMBA have beenrecorded from <strong>the</strong> island including <strong>the</strong> threatened Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopusfuliginosus), <strong>the</strong> Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), Short-tailed Shearwater (P.tenuirostris), Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres), Eastern Curlew (Numeniusmadagascariensis), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosalapponica), Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), Arctic Jaegar (Stercorarius pomarinus),Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), White-fronted Tern (Sternastriata) and <strong>the</strong> endangered Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) (Commonwealth <strong>of</strong> Australia2003).96
Areas with Important <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Values• Budgewoi Lake Sand Mass on <strong>the</strong> eastern side <strong>of</strong> Budgewoi Lake is listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory<strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands and is <strong>the</strong> most important area <strong>of</strong> waterbird feeding habitat in <strong>the</strong>Tuggerah Lakes. It is a broad sand flat occupying about 30% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lake floor in depths lessthan a metre.Seagrasses (Zostera capricorni, Halophila ovalis and Ruppia megacarpa) border <strong>the</strong>western side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sand flat and adjacent habitat includes samphire (Sarcocorniaquinqueflora), saltwater couch (Sporobolus virginicus), sea rush (Juncus kraussii), commonreeds (Phragmites australis), swamp oak (Casuarina glauca), broad-leaved paperbark(Melaleuca quinquenervia) and cabbage tree palms (Livistona australis) (ANCA 1996).Large numbers <strong>of</strong> Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) feed on <strong>the</strong> seagrasses and many GreyTeal (Anas gracilis), Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) and Shoveller (Anas rhynchotis) havebeen observed at this site.Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia), Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) and Gull-billed Tern (Sternanilotica) feed in <strong>the</strong> shallows during summer and waders listed under JAMBA andCAMBA, such as Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Red Knot (Calidris canutus) andCurlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) are present each summer on <strong>the</strong> mud and sand flats.Less common waders like Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Double-banded Plover(Charadrius bicinctus) and Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) also occur (ANCA 1996).• Tuggerah Lake is listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands and is important for itsswamps <strong>of</strong> broadleaf paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia), swamp oak (Casuarinaglauca), extensive beds <strong>of</strong> seagrasses (Zostera capricorni, Halophila ovalis and Ruppiamegacarpa), and saltmarshes including samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora), saltwatercouch (Sporobolus virginicus) and rushes (Juncus sp.) (ANCA 1996).The area is a priority wetland for waders with up to 2500 migratory birds present in latespring and summer and up to 2000 Black Swans (Cygnus atratus), Chestnut Teal (Anascastanea) and Grey Teal (Anas rhynchotis) feed on <strong>the</strong> exposed seagrass beds.The lake shores in summer are used by migrant waders listed under JAMBA or CAMBAincluding Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea),Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) and RedKnot (Calidris canutus). White-bellied Sea-eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and WhistlingKites (Haliastur sphenurus) nest around <strong>the</strong> lake (ANCA 1996).The “Independent Inquiry into Coastal Lakes” carried out by <strong>the</strong> Healthy RiversCommission (2002) rates <strong>the</strong> catchment condition <strong>of</strong> Tuggerah Lake as modified and <strong>the</strong>lake condition as moderately affected with a high conservation value and a managementrecommendation <strong>of</strong> “targeted for repair”. A power station on Lake Munmorah dischargesheated water into <strong>the</strong> upper part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tuggerah Lake estuary.• Toowoon Point (south <strong>of</strong> The Entrance) and Tudibaring Head (north <strong>of</strong> Cockrone Lake)have been identified as candidate sites for rocky shore aquatic reserves. Nobby’s Head(south <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hunter River) and Yumool Point (south <strong>of</strong> Bateau Bay) also exist within thissection and are sites originally short-listed for investigation within <strong>the</strong> same assessment byan advisory panel <strong>of</strong> stakeholders and community representatives (Otway 1999). Nine rockplatforms in this section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion were recommended for protection by Short (1995).• Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve includes reed beds, sedgeland and important habitat forfish, molluscs, crustaceans and a range <strong>of</strong> migratory waders identified in one or moreinternational treaties. Wamberal Lagoon has recorded <strong>the</strong> most diverse and abundant fishassemblages <strong>of</strong> those lagoons between <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River and Tuggerah Lakes (Frances2000).97
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregion• Brisbane Water is listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands and includes large areas <strong>of</strong>grey mangrove (Avicennia marina) and river mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum), andextensive seagrass beds. About 23% and 25% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> saltmarshes andmangroves, respectively, <strong>of</strong> Brisbane Water is included in national parks and naturereserves. Swans feed on <strong>the</strong> seagrass beds in spring and summer and <strong>the</strong> area is animportant nursery and spawning ground for fish and crustaceans.Brisbane Water has been identified as a second priority candidate site (after LakeMacquarie) for an estuarine aquatic reserve (Frances 2000; NSW Fisheries 2001). Theestuary includes a rare combination <strong>of</strong> fish species (D. Hoese, pers. comm., in Frances2000) and it remains <strong>the</strong> only barrier estuary in <strong>the</strong> bioregion with an entrance not kept openby artificial breakwalls.• The <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River has <strong>the</strong> least proportion <strong>of</strong> urban development (0.6%) within 1 km<strong>of</strong> its shores in <strong>the</strong> bioregion and has a relatively low percentage <strong>of</strong> disturbed or high-riskacid sulphate soils on adjacent lands. Brisbane Water and Tuggerah Lakes, however, have amoderate proportion <strong>of</strong> acid sulphate soils on adjacent land.Many parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> and Nepean River are in relatively good condition due to <strong>the</strong>protection <strong>of</strong> catchment and shoreline in national parks and nature reserves. However,smaller urbanised sections <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> catchment have poor water quality, particularly nearcentres like Goulburn, Lithgow, Penrith, Hornsby, and between Windsor and Sackville.Water quality is generally better in <strong>the</strong> lower reaches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> estuary but <strong>the</strong>re isconcern over <strong>the</strong> potential for blue-green algae blooms and <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> toxicdin<strong>of</strong>lagellate cysts in sediments (Healthy Rivers Commission 1998).• Lion Island, Long Island, Riley’s Island, Pelican Island, Spectacle Island andMuogamarra nature reserves in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> River, and <strong>the</strong> Long Reef to BarrenjoeyCoastal Rocks are all on <strong>the</strong> Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Estate. Lion Island provides breedinghabitat for Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), Sooty Shearwater (Puffinusgriseus) and <strong>the</strong> Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor). Riley’s Island and Pelican Island naturereserves provide critical feeding and breeding areas for a range <strong>of</strong> migratory wader species,twelve <strong>of</strong> which are listed in JAMBA or CAMBA. The site is also important for <strong>the</strong> BushStone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris), EasternCurlew (Numenius madagascariensis) and a Pelican rookery.• The marine section and shores <strong>of</strong> Bouddi National Park provide habitat for <strong>the</strong> vulnerableSooty Oystercatcher and endangered Little Tern. Osprey use <strong>the</strong> park and several species <strong>of</strong>migratory waders use <strong>the</strong> Brisbane Water section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> park (NPWS 1999). Fishing within<strong>the</strong> marine section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Park has been prohibited since 1973 through a temporaryclosure which is renewed every five years.• Narrabeen Lakes has been identified as a first priority candidate site for an estuarineaquatic reserve (Frances 2000). Narrabeen Lakes includes unique and ecologicallyimportant habitats and 42 species <strong>of</strong> benthic infauna have been recorded from <strong>the</strong> area(Patterson, Britton and Partners 1995).• Dee Why Lagoon Reserve is listed on <strong>the</strong> Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Estate. It is consideredone <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> best examples, in <strong>the</strong> Sydney Region <strong>of</strong> an estuarine lagoon (Commonwealth <strong>of</strong>Australia 2003) and one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> few in <strong>the</strong> region remaining in good condition.The saltmarsh around <strong>the</strong> lagoon is a relatively diverse and uncommon remnant and waspreviously more widespread in <strong>the</strong> Sydney Region. O<strong>the</strong>r aquatic vegetation includesseagrass (Zostera Capricorni), saltmarsh (Suaeda australis) and rushes (Juncus kraussii, J.acutus).98
Areas with Important <strong>Biodiversity</strong> ValuesThe lagoon is a wildlife refuge and supports several species <strong>of</strong> waders and cryptic birdspecies such as <strong>the</strong> Tailor Cisticola (Cisticola exilis) and <strong>the</strong> Tawny Grassbird (Megalurustimoriensis). It provides habitat for fish species including pilchard (Sardinopsneopilchardus), sand whiting (Silago cilliata), silver biddy (Gerres ovatus) and sand mullet(Myxus elongatus).Dee Why Lagoon has been identified as a first priority candidate site for an estuarineaquatic reserve. It has <strong>the</strong> most diverse fish community <strong>of</strong> any mature intermittent estuary in<strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion (D. Hoese, pers. comm., in Frances 2000).• The Healthy Rivers Commission “Independent Inquiry into Coastal Lakes” (2002) rates <strong>the</strong>catchment condition <strong>of</strong> Dee Why, Curl Curl and Manly Lagoons as severely modified and<strong>the</strong> lake conditions as severely affected with recommended management as “targeted forrepair”.5.2 <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> – Sou<strong>the</strong>rn section (North Head to Shellharbour)The sou<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion includes coastal waters and estuariesfrom North Head to Shellharbour. This section includes <strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> Sydney Harbour and itstributaries.All four estuarine ecosystem types that occur in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion arerepresented within this section, including: tide dominated river valleys (Port Jackson/ParramattaRiver, Georges River and Port Hacking); barrier estuaries (Lake Illawarra and Port Kembla);intermittent estuaries (Towradgi and Benson Creeks); and <strong>the</strong> only ocean embayment (BotanyBay) in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. Estuaries within this section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion include that with <strong>the</strong> secondlargest area <strong>of</strong> saltmarsh habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion (Botany Bay) and <strong>the</strong>re are significant areas <strong>of</strong>seagrass in Parramatta River, Botany Bay, Port Hacking and several intermittent lagoons. Inaddition to this, significant mangrove habitats exist in Port Jackson, Botany Bay and <strong>the</strong>Georges River.The sou<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion contains large areas <strong>of</strong> ocean ecosystems in <strong>the</strong> 0-20 mand 20-60 m depth ranges and a significant proportion <strong>of</strong> those ecosystems at 60-200 m thatoccur within <strong>the</strong> 3 nm limit <strong>of</strong> State waters. It also features large areas <strong>of</strong> exposed intertidalbeach, exposed intertidal rocky shore, inshore shallow reef and inshore sand. The majority <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> inshore and <strong>of</strong>fshore islands in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> occurs in this section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>bioregion.Summed irreplaceability scores for representation <strong>of</strong> 20% <strong>of</strong> habitats and ecosystems were lowfor Port Hacking but relatively high for Lake Illawarra and <strong>the</strong> highest in <strong>the</strong> bioregion for <strong>the</strong>Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour section <strong>of</strong> coast and ocean. The latter score strongly reflects <strong>the</strong>presence <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore islands in this area, particularly <strong>the</strong> Five Islands group <strong>of</strong>f Port Kembla.The sou<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion includes <strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> coastal and estuarine marinehabitats in <strong>the</strong> Sydney Metropolitan area. The Hacking River has significant proportions <strong>of</strong>adjacent lands included in national parks or nature reserves. However Botany Bay, <strong>the</strong>Parramatta River and Georges River all have less than 10% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir shores in reserves. Whencompared with all o<strong>the</strong>r areas in <strong>the</strong> bioregion, Port Hacking had <strong>the</strong> highest proportion <strong>of</strong>adjacent land in national parks and nature reserves (64% <strong>of</strong> land within 1 km) and <strong>the</strong> PortHacking-Stanwell Park section had most adjacent coast in reserves (92%).This section includes aquatic reserves at North Sydney Harbour, Bronte-Coogee, Cape Banks,Towra Point, Boat Harbour and Ship Rock. It includes Intertidal Protected Areas at SydneyHarbour, Bondi, Long Bay, Inscription Point and Cabbage Tree Point. Marine protected areasoccur in Lane Cove, Georges River, Sydney Harbour and Royal national parks, and TowraPoint and Newington nature reserves.99
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionMany shores in <strong>the</strong> Sydney Metropolitan area have been substantially modified or replaced withwalls, wharves or marinas, particularly in Sydney Harbour. However a number <strong>of</strong> studies haveshown that <strong>the</strong>se structures can support very diverse assemblages <strong>of</strong> marine species and thatdespite an extremely high level <strong>of</strong> urban development, marine biodiversity may be very high(Chapman and Bulleri 2003). It may also be argued that irreplaceable areas at risk should begiven priority over remote locations in better condition, given that <strong>the</strong> latter may require lessurgent protection.Port Hacking (31%) and Lake Illawarra (42%) had a moderate proportion <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands inurban areas while much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area adjacent to Port Kembla (88%) and Towradgi Creek (72%)was heavily developed or industrialised. The Port Hacking-Stanwell Park section (1.2%) had<strong>the</strong> least proportion <strong>of</strong> coast within built-up areas.Mean river and catchment disturbance indices for Sydney Harbour were <strong>the</strong> highest in <strong>the</strong> State.Inputs from sewage and stormwater outlets throughout <strong>the</strong> Sydney area are also likely to behigher than elsewhere in <strong>the</strong> bioregion and <strong>the</strong>re is evidence <strong>of</strong> contamination <strong>of</strong> estuarinesediments with heavy metals and PCBs in sections <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Parramatta River, Botany Bay and <strong>the</strong>Georges River (Birch 1995).Mean river and catchment disturbance indices were lowest in <strong>the</strong> bioregion for Port Hackingand <strong>the</strong> Port Hacking-Stanwell Park section. Disturbance indices were generally low tomoderate for o<strong>the</strong>r estuaries and sections <strong>of</strong> coast in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion butwere high for <strong>the</strong> Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour coast. Port Hacking had <strong>the</strong> lowest percentage <strong>of</strong>disturbed or high risk acid sulphate soils in adjacent lands, while Port Kembla had <strong>the</strong> highest.A large proportion <strong>of</strong> this section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion is likely to be relatively unaffected by urbandevelopment, industry or agriculture. This is largely due to <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Royal NationalPark which covers <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn shores <strong>of</strong> Port Hacking and <strong>the</strong> coast between Port Hacking andStanwell Park. South <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> national park, <strong>the</strong>re are increasing levels <strong>of</strong> urban settlement on <strong>the</strong>narrow coastal strip beneath <strong>the</strong> Illawarra Escarpment and heavy industry around Port Kembla.As for o<strong>the</strong>r locations in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion, <strong>the</strong>se developed areas <strong>of</strong>ten adjoinsome <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most important and vulnerable sites for marine conservationThreatened and protected fish species recorded in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion includeblack cod, great white shark, grey nurse shark, Bleeker’s devil fish, elegant wrasse, estuary cod,Queensland groper and weedy sea dragon. South Maroubra is an important aggregation siteincluded within critical habitat for <strong>the</strong> endangered grey nurse shark. Jibbon Bombora, MarleyPoint, Toothbrush Island and Windang Island are all sites where Grey nurse sharks have beenrecorded at times.A large number <strong>of</strong> threatened bird species, sightings, and a moderate summed irreplaceabilityare recorded for Lake Illawarra and a moderate number <strong>of</strong> threatened bird species and sightingsare reported for <strong>the</strong> Towradgi Ck-Shellharbour section. The sou<strong>the</strong>rn section includes previousnesting sites <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Little Tern at Homebush Bay, Maroubra, Boat Harbour, Bellambi Point,Towradgi Beach, South Wollongong Beach, Port Kembla Harbour, Port Kembla Beach, LakeIllawarra and Shellharbour and a significant current nesting site at Towra Spit, Botany Bay.Port Hacking has a relatively small commercial fish catch and diversity <strong>of</strong> species, while LakeIllawarra has a somewhat larger catch and greater diversity <strong>of</strong> fish species in catches.Areas with important biodiversity values identified in this section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion aresummarised below.• North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park, Parramatta River wetlands, Bondi Nor<strong>the</strong>rnCliffline, Cape Banks, Kurnell, Towra Point and Voyager Point are all on <strong>the</strong> Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>National Estate (Commonwealth <strong>of</strong> Australia 2003).100
Areas with Important <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Values• Nine significant wetland remnants on <strong>the</strong> upper Parramatta River (Ermington Bay,Meadowbank Park, Yarralla Bay, Majors Bay, Mason Park, Homebush Bay, SilverwaterSaltmarsh, Lower Duck River and Haslem's Creek) are listed on <strong>the</strong> Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NationalEstate. Newington Wetlands is listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands and includesmangrove and saltmarsh habitats bordering four brackish ponds. These areas were once part<strong>of</strong> extensive mangrove and saltmarsh wetlands on <strong>the</strong> Parramatta River.These saltmarsh communities are in good health with a species composition uncommon in<strong>the</strong> Sydney area. Species include samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora), seablite (Suaedaaustralis), saltwater couch (Sporobolus virginicus), <strong>the</strong> restricted saltmarsh Lampranthustegens (small pig face), an important stand <strong>of</strong> native rush (Juncus kraussii) and <strong>the</strong>Chenopod Halosarcia pergranulata. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest remaining populations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>uncommon Wilsonia backhousei is found here and is at its nor<strong>the</strong>rn limit in Sydney (ANCA1996; Commonwealth <strong>of</strong> Australia 2003).The Parramatta River has <strong>the</strong> second highest diversity and highest summed irreplaceabilityfor threatened bird species. The wetlands support 75 bird species, <strong>of</strong> which 37 species occurregularly, and <strong>the</strong> area provides breeding habitat for 17 species. The wetlands have beenranked sixth in importance for waders in NSW and <strong>the</strong>y provide habitat for 20 species listedunder JAMBA and 19 species listed under CAMBA. These include <strong>the</strong> Pacific GoldenPlover (Pluvialis fulva), Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosalapponica baueri), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), Curlew Sandpiper(Calidris ferruginea) and Greenshank (Tringa nebularia). Two endangered species, <strong>the</strong>Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) and <strong>the</strong> Black tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) are found here.The wetlands also support one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two Sydney colonies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> White-fronted Chat(Epthianura albifrons), one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest populations <strong>of</strong> Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) inNSW, a regionally significant population (200-400 individuals) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Black-winged Stilt(Himantopus himantopus) and more than 1% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Australian population <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> LesserGolden Plover (Pluvialis dominica). The endangered green and golden bell frog (Litoriaaurea) has also been recorded from <strong>the</strong> area (Commonwealth <strong>of</strong> Australia 2003).• Eve Street Marsh, on <strong>the</strong> Cooks River near Arncliffe is listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> ImportantWetlands and includes diverse saltmarsh habitat including sea rush (Juncus kraussii),seablite (Suaeda australis), samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora) and <strong>the</strong> uncommoncreeping monkey-flower (Mimulus repens) (ANCA 1996). The marsh provides habitat forsix JAMBA or CAMBA species including <strong>the</strong> Great Egret (Ardea alba), Greenshank(Tringa nebularia), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Red-necked Stint (Calidrisruficollis), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) and Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosalapponica).• Towra Point Nature Reserve, Towra Point Aquatic Reserve and Taren Point in Botany Bayare included in <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands and exhibit a variety <strong>of</strong> estuarinehabitats including spits, bars, mudflats, dunes and beaches. The extensive tidal wetlandsinclude approximately 600 ha <strong>of</strong> seagrasses including Posidonia australis, Zosteracapricorni, Halophila ovalis and H. decipiens. There are 400 ha <strong>of</strong> mangroves including <strong>the</strong>grey (Avicennia marina) and river mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum) and 160 ha <strong>of</strong>saltmarsh, representing one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> few large remnant systems near Sydney (ANCA 1996).More than 230 species <strong>of</strong> fish and invertebrates have been recorded in <strong>the</strong> Towra PointAquatic Reserve and <strong>the</strong> area supports commercial and recreational fish stocks for <strong>the</strong>coastal Sydney region.Towra Point is an important bird feeding, roosting and nesting site for migratory waders andwaterfowl and is listed under <strong>the</strong> Ramsar Convention. Approximately 200 bird species have101
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine Bioregionbeen recorded from <strong>the</strong> Towra Point area including 31 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 66 species listed underJAMBA (ANCA 1996).Towra Point has a regular occurrence <strong>of</strong> 2% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Australian population <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EasternCurlew (Numenius madagascariensis), 6% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lesser Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica)and 1% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) (ANCA 1996). The sand spit area isalso breeding habitat for threatened species including <strong>the</strong> Little Tern (Sterna albifrons), PiedOystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) and <strong>the</strong> Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) (ANCA1996). The Taren Point Shorebird Community is listed as an endangered ecologicalcommunity.There are significant threats to this location from heavy industry and port facilities around<strong>the</strong> shores <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bay, including pollution, dredging, changes in wave action by revetmentwalls, and shoreline instability and erosion. The sand flats and beach at <strong>the</strong> eastern end <strong>of</strong>Towra Point and <strong>the</strong> western end <strong>of</strong> Towra Spit are being damaged by coastal erosion with<strong>the</strong> spit extending in a south-westerly direction.• Voyager Point Wetlands at <strong>the</strong> junction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Georges River and Williams Creek are listedon <strong>the</strong> Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Estate (Commonwealth <strong>of</strong> Australia 2003). The areaincludes wetlands characteristic <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Georges River including mangroves and swamp oak(Casuarina glauca). Saltmarsh species here include Samolus repens, seablight (Suaedaaustralis), samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora), saltwater couch (Sporobolus virginicus)and water buttons (Cotula coronopifolia) and a pure stand <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> uncommon speciesWilsonia backhousei. Estuarine sedgeland here includes rushes (Juncus kraussii, Baumeajuncea) and <strong>the</strong> common reed (Phragmites australis). The freshwater wetlands arecharacterised by paperbark swamps and emergent and submerged aquatic vegetationincluding Eleocharis sphacelata, Triglochin procera, Typha orientalis and species <strong>of</strong>Myriophyllum, Utricularia, Nymphoides and Persicaria. Threats to <strong>the</strong> area include changesin water quality, wash from speedboats and drainage from nearby housing developments.• Brickyard Point, north <strong>of</strong> Wollongong, has been identified as a candidate site for a rockyshore aquatic reserve (Otway 1999). Eleven rock platforms in this option wererecommended for protection by Short (1995).• Coomaditchy Lagoon, a small coastal dunal lake at <strong>the</strong> original entrance to Lake Illawarra,is listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands (ANCA 1996). The lagoon is only slightlybrackish and may receive some seawater by diffusion. It provides habitat for a variety <strong>of</strong>birds, reptiles, frogs and fish and contains a reed swamp and a sedge swamp on <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rnand western shores which are breeding sites for waterbirds. The area includes remnant hinddune and littoral rainforest vegetation, a population <strong>of</strong> endangered green and golden bellfrog (Litoria aurea) and is <strong>the</strong> only area in <strong>the</strong> Illawarra region to record Wanderingwhistling duck (Dendrocygna arcuata). JAMBA or CAMBA species observed include <strong>the</strong>Great Egret (Ardea alba), White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), Latham’sSnipe (Gallinago hardwickii), and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) (ANCA1996).• Five Islands Nature Reserve is listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands. The islandsare important seabird breeding sites and provide habitat for many migratory birds. About30% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NSW population <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vulnerable Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopusfuliginosus) breeds on <strong>the</strong> islands and relys on <strong>the</strong> intertidal zone <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands for foraging.The vulnerable Black-browed Albatross (Diomedea melanophrys) has also been recordedhere and JAMBA or CAMBA species observed include <strong>the</strong> Wedge-tailed Shearwater(Puffinus pacificus), Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel), Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra),and Crested Tern (Sterna bergii) (ANCA 1996).102
Areas with Important <strong>Biodiversity</strong> ValuesThe sou<strong>the</strong>rn section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregion includes Lake Illawarra which has <strong>the</strong> fourth largestarea <strong>of</strong> seagrass habitat in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. There are also significant areas <strong>of</strong> seagrass in PortHacking. Port Hacking includes small areas <strong>of</strong> mangrove habitat. Port Hacking and LakeIllawarra include small areas <strong>of</strong> saltmarsh.• Lake Illawarra is listed in <strong>the</strong> Directory <strong>of</strong> Important Wetlands (ANCA 1996). BerkeleyNature Reserve, which includes Gooseberry and Hooka Islands in Lake Illawarra, is on <strong>the</strong>Register <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Estate. Seagrasses such as Zostera sp. and Ruppia sp. provide foodfor waterfowl on <strong>the</strong> Lake. A total <strong>of</strong> 24 species <strong>of</strong> waterbirds are recorded from here,including Grey Teal (Anas gibberifrons), Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea), Black Swan(Cygnus atratus) and Australasian Little Grebe (Podiceps novaehollandiae). Foreshorevegetation includes saltmarsh with species such as samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora),shore rush (Juncus kraussii), common reed (Phragmites australis), swamp oak (Casuarinaglauca), and creeping saltbush (Atriplex australasica) (ANCA 1996).Endangered species recorded at Lake Illawarra include <strong>the</strong> Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) and<strong>the</strong> Hooded Plover (Thinornis rubricollis). Vulnerable species include <strong>the</strong> Freckled Duck(Stictonetta naevosa), Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), Black Bittern(Ixobrychus flavicollis), Sanderling (Calidris alba), Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris),Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus), PiedOystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris), Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii)and <strong>the</strong> White Tern (Gygis alba) (ANCA 1996).Species listed under JAMBA or CAMBA recorded near Lake Illawarra include <strong>the</strong> SootyShearwater (Puffinus griseus), Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), Great Egret (Ardea alba),Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis), Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra), White-bellied Sea-eagle(Haliaeetus leucogaster), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Ruddy Turnstone(Arenaria interpres), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), Red Knot (Calidriscanutus), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos),Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), Grey-tailedTattler (Heteroscelus brevipes), Wandering Tattler (Heteroscelus incanus), Bar-tailedGodwit (Limosa lapponica), Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), CommonGreenshank (Tringa nebularia), Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis), Lesser GoldenPlover (Pluvialis dominica), Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), White-winged Black Tern(Chlidonias leucopterus), Crested Tern (Sterna bergii), Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia),Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), and Fork-tailed Swift (Apus pacificus) (ANCA 1996).The Healthy Rivers Commission “Independent Inquiry into Coastal Lakes” (2002) rates <strong>the</strong>catchment condition <strong>of</strong> Lake Illawarra as modified and <strong>the</strong> lake condition as severelyaffected but with a high conservation value and recommended management as “targeted forrepair”.• Macquarie Rivulet, a tributary <strong>of</strong> Lake Illawarra, has been identified as a third prioritycandidate site (after Lake Macquarie and Brisbane Water) for an estuarine aquatic reserve(Frances 2000; NSW Fisheries 2001). The estuary has a distinctive fish assemblage (R.West, pers. comm., in Frances 2000) and Macquarie Rivulet has, in <strong>the</strong> past, providedimportant habitat for <strong>the</strong> Australian grayling (Prototroctes maraena) (Farragher, in press,cited in Frances 2000). Threats to this area include pollution and loss <strong>of</strong> habitat from urbandevelopment and industry (ANCA 1996).103
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Conclusion6 ConclusionThis project provides <strong>the</strong> basic information and methods to systematically identify areas withimportant biodiversity values and to help plan a system <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas in <strong>the</strong><strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion. Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> this task, and <strong>the</strong> need for consistentinformation across areas as large as whole bioregions, approximate surrogates for biodiversityand o<strong>the</strong>r criteria have been used. However, even at <strong>the</strong> broad scale <strong>of</strong> this study, a number <strong>of</strong>patterns were evident.There are currently no marine parks in <strong>the</strong> bioregion, but <strong>the</strong>re are ten aquatic reservesprotecting significant areas <strong>of</strong> mangrove, saltmarsh, seagrass and ocean embayment in BotanyBay, drowned river valley in North Sydney Harbour and areas <strong>of</strong> mostly rocky shore andinshore reef along <strong>the</strong> Sydney coastline. However, fishing is allowed in all but 3 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>seaquatic reserves.Marine protected areas in national parks and nature reserves protect significant areas <strong>of</strong> severalecosystems and habitats. These include mangroves, saltmarshes, rocky shores and reefs, andintermittent, barrier and drowned river valley estuaries. Only a small area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se habitats, in<strong>the</strong> marine section <strong>of</strong> Bouddi National Park, has direct protection for fish and invertebratesfrom fishing.The total area <strong>of</strong> aquatic reserves in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion is 19.3 km 2 , representingjust 0.96% <strong>of</strong> NSW waters in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. If Commonwealth waters beyond 3 nm <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coastare considered this area represents 0.2% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entire marine bioregion.Marine protected areas in national parks and nature reserves cover about 44 km 2 . Toge<strong>the</strong>r withaquatic reserves, <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> existing MPAs is 63.6 km 2 , representing about 3% <strong>of</strong> NSWwaters in <strong>the</strong> bioregion. If Commonwealth waters beyond 3 nm <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coast are considered, thisarea represents 0.6% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entire marine bioregion. However, only a small proportion <strong>of</strong> thisarea provides full protection for fish and invertebrates from fishing.This assessment identifies a number <strong>of</strong> areas with important biodiversity values. These areas arethose that best meet criteria for representing a range <strong>of</strong> ecosystems, habitats and species in areaswith protected foreshores, catchments and waters relatively unaffected by human impacts. Theoptions for where and how marine protected areas can be established are <strong>the</strong>refore relativelyflexible for all but a few criteria.Reserve design including many interrelated features within larger marine protected areas meansa greater likelihood <strong>of</strong> managing whole ecosystems, processes, communities and populationsthroughout <strong>the</strong> duration and spatial extent <strong>of</strong> entire life cycles. This may help to maintainconnectivity among different ecosystems and <strong>the</strong>ir diverse components, and provides greatercontrol over threatening processes operating from within and from outside marine protectedareas.There is <strong>the</strong> potential to include larger areas <strong>of</strong> most ecosystem and habitat types, and a greaternumber and variety <strong>of</strong> features in large multiple use marine parks. This replication is likely toinclude a greater diversity <strong>of</strong> life forms and provide better protection against disturbance.Having many features spread over a broader area also allows for greater flexibility in multipleusezoning with more opportunities to provide for a range <strong>of</strong> conservation values, sustainableuse and community interests.105
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<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionNSW Marine Parks Authority - MPA Strategy Working Group. 2001. Developing arepresentative system <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas in NSW. An overview. NSW Marine ParksAuthority, Sydney.NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1999a). Threatened species information. BeachStone-curlew. Hurstville, Sydney.NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1999b) Threatened species information. BushStone-curlew. Hurstville, Sydney.NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1999c) Threatened species information. HoodedPlover. Hurstville, Sydney.NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000a) Gould’s Petrel Draft Recovery Plan.Hurstville, Sydney.NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000b) Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) DraftRecovery Plan. Hurstville, Sydney.NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000c). Endangered population <strong>of</strong> Little Penguins(Eudyptula minor) at Manly, Recovery Plan.. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service,Hurstville.NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. 2001. C – Plan Conservation planning s<strong>of</strong>tware,version User manual 3.06. www.ozemail.com.au/~cplan.NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. 2004.http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/PDFs/Little_penguin_critical_habitat_map.pdfOtway, N.M. 1999. Identification <strong>of</strong> candidate sites for declaration as aquatic reserves for <strong>the</strong>conservation <strong>of</strong> rocky intertidal communities in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> and Batemans <strong>Shelf</strong>bioregions. Report to Environment Australia by NSW Fisheries.Otway, N.M., Burke, A.L., Morrison, N.S. and Parker, P.C. 2003. Monitoring and identification<strong>of</strong> NSW Critical Habitat Sites for conservation <strong>of</strong> Grey Nurse Sharks. Final Report toEnvironment Australia. Project No. 22499. NSW Fisheries Final Report Series No. 47. ISSN1440-3544. 62pp.Otway, N.M and Morrison N. In prep. Identification candidate shores for declaration as aquaticreserves for <strong>the</strong> conservation <strong>of</strong> rocky intertidal communities in <strong>the</strong> Manning <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregion.Otway, N.M. and Parker P. C. 2000. The biology, ecology, distribution, abundance andidentification <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas for <strong>the</strong> conservation <strong>of</strong> threatened Grey Nurse Sharks insouth east Australian waters. NSW Fisheries Final Report Series No.19. NSW Fisheries Office<strong>of</strong> Conservation.Paterson, R.A. and Paterson, P. 1989. The status <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> recovering stock <strong>of</strong> Humpback whalesMegaptera novaeanglidae in east Australian waters. Biological Conservation 47:33-48.Patterson Britton and Partners, 1995. Manly Lagoon Estuary Management Study. Reportprepared for Manly and Warringah Councils.Planes, S. Galzin, R. Rubies, G. Goni, R. Harmelin, J.-G. Le Direach, L. Lenfant, P. Quetglas,A. 2000. Effects <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas on recruitment processes with special reference toMediterranean littoral ecosystems. Environmental Conservation 27 126-143.Pease, B.C. 1999. A spatially oriented analysis <strong>of</strong> estuaries and <strong>the</strong>ir associated commercialfisheries in New South Wales, Australia. Fisheries Research 42 67-86.Pollard, D.A. 1997. A review <strong>of</strong> marine and estuarine protected areas in NSW, with emphasison research and monitoring as a basis for scientific management. Draft Report for comment.Pollard D, Ortiz E, Pe<strong>the</strong>bridge R. 1997. New South Wales marine and coastalbioregionalisation study: Towards <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> a representative system <strong>of</strong> marine andestuarine protected areas for NSW. Report to Environment Australia.Pressey RL, Johnson IR, Wilson PD. 1994. Shades <strong>of</strong> irreplaceability: towards a measure <strong>of</strong>contribution <strong>of</strong> sites to a reservation goal. <strong>Biodiversity</strong> and Conservation. 3:242-62.110
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AppendixAppendix 1:Goals and criteria for marine protected areas(adapted from Breen, Avery and Otway 2003, 2004)National and NSW goals and criteriaThis assessment was based on national goals and criteria adopted by <strong>the</strong> NSW Marine ParksAuthority (ANZECC/TFMPA 1998a, b, 1999; NSW Marine Parks Authority MPA StrategyWorking Group 2001). These goals and criteria reflect over 30 years <strong>of</strong> international andnational discussion, published research and practical management experience in protected areas(e.g. Kelleher and Kenchington 1991).Table 1.1 lists national goals and Table 1.2a lists national criteria recommended for <strong>the</strong>identification <strong>of</strong> marine protected area (MPA) options on ecological grounds. Table 1.2b listsnational selection criteria recommended for <strong>the</strong> selection <strong>of</strong> MPAs areas from among <strong>the</strong>ecological options identified.For <strong>the</strong> assessment, hierarchical tree-like models <strong>of</strong> goals, criteria and performance indicatorswere used to interpret <strong>the</strong>se goals and criteria in terms <strong>of</strong> specific information (Figs. 1.1-1.5).The models can also used to quantitatively assess goals and criteria in multiple criteria analysesusing a range <strong>of</strong> specific data. These techniques provide a useful framework for <strong>the</strong> assessmentsand for <strong>the</strong> consistent application <strong>of</strong> goals and criteria in subsequent planning, research andreview <strong>of</strong> MPA management.Table 1.1 National goals for marine protected areasThe primary goal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Representative System <strong>of</strong> MPAs (NRSMPA) is to establishand manage a comprehensive, adequate and representative system <strong>of</strong> MPAs to contribute to<strong>the</strong> long term ecological viability <strong>of</strong> marine and estuarine systems, to maintain ecologicalprocesses and systems, and to protect Australia’s biological diversity at all levels.The secondary goals are to:• promote development <strong>of</strong> MPAs within <strong>the</strong> framework <strong>of</strong> integrated ecosystemmanagement• provide a formal management framework for a broad spectrum <strong>of</strong> human activities,including recreation, tourism, shipping and <strong>the</strong> use and extraction <strong>of</strong> resources• provide scientific reference sites• provide for <strong>the</strong> special needs <strong>of</strong> rare threatened or depleted species and threatenedecological communities• provide for <strong>the</strong> conservation <strong>of</strong> special groups <strong>of</strong> organisms – for example, species withcomplex habitat requirements or mobile or migratory species or species vulnerable todisturbance and which may depend on reservation for <strong>the</strong>ir conservation• protect areas <strong>of</strong> high conservation value including those containing high species diversity,natural refugia for flora and fauna and centres <strong>of</strong> endemism• provide for recreational, aes<strong>the</strong>tic and cultural needs <strong>of</strong> indigenous and non indigenouspeople.113
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionTable 1.2a National identification criteria for marine protected areas1. Representativeness (Figs. 1.1, 1.3)Will <strong>the</strong> area:• represent one or more ecosystems within an IMCRA bioregion, and to what degree• add to <strong>the</strong> representativeness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NRSMPA, and to what degree• reasonably reflect <strong>the</strong> biotic diversity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> marine ecosystems from which <strong>the</strong>y derive?2. Comprehensiveness (Figs. 1.1, 1.2)Does <strong>the</strong> area:• add to <strong>the</strong> coverage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> full range <strong>of</strong> ecosystems recognised at an appropriate scalewithin and across each bioregion• add to <strong>the</strong> comprehensiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NRSMPA?3. Ecological importance (Fig. 1.3)Does <strong>the</strong> area:• contribute to <strong>the</strong> maintenance <strong>of</strong> essential ecological processes or life-support systems• contain habitat for rare or endangered species• preserve genetic diversity• contain areas on which species or o<strong>the</strong>r systems are dependant e.g. contains nursery orjuvenile areas or feeding, breeding or resting areas for migratory species• contain one or more areas which are a biologically functional, self-sustaining ecologicalunit?4. International or national importance (Fig. 1.3)Is <strong>the</strong> area rated, or have <strong>the</strong> potential to be listed on <strong>the</strong> world or a national heritage list,declared a Biosphere Reserve or subject to an international or national conservationagreement?5. Uniqueness (Fig. 1.3)Does <strong>the</strong> area:• contain unique species, populations, communities or ecosystems• contain unique or unusual geographic features?6. Productivity (Fig. 1.3)Do <strong>the</strong> species, populations or communities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area have a high natural biologicalproductivity?7. Vulnerability assessment (Fig. 1.4)Are <strong>the</strong> ecosystems and/or communities vulnerable to natural processes?8. Biogeographic importance (Fig. 1.3)Does <strong>the</strong> area capture important biogeographic qualities?9. Naturalness (Fig. 1.4)To what extent has <strong>the</strong> area been protected from, or not been subjected to, human inducedchange?114
AppendixTable 1.2b National selection criteria for marine protected areas1. Economic interests (Fig. 1.5)Does <strong>the</strong> site:• make an existing or potential contribution to economic value by virtue <strong>of</strong> its protection,e.g. for recreation or tourism, or as a refuge or nursery area or source <strong>of</strong> supply foreconomically important species• have current or potential use for <strong>the</strong> extraction <strong>of</strong>, or exploration for, resources• have importance for shipping and/or trade• have importance to traditional users including commercial fishers• make a contribution to local or regional employment and economic development?2. Indigenous interests (Fig. 1.5)Does <strong>the</strong> site:• have traditional usage and/or current economic value• contain indigenous cultural values• have native title considerations• have importance for maintaining indigenous ecological knowledge?3. Social Interests (Fig. 1.5)Does <strong>the</strong> site have existing or potential value to <strong>the</strong> local, national or internationalcommunities because <strong>of</strong> its heritage, cultural, traditional, aes<strong>the</strong>tic, educational, recreational oreconomic values?4. Scientific Interests (Fig. 1.5)Does <strong>the</strong> site have existing or potential value for research or monitoring?5. Practicality/feasibility (Fig. 1.4)Does <strong>the</strong> site:• have a degree <strong>of</strong> insulation from external destructive influences• have social and political acceptability, and a degree <strong>of</strong> community support• have access for recreation, tourism, education• have compatibility between an MPA declaration generally and its uses• have relative ease <strong>of</strong> management, and compatibility with existing management regimes?6 Vulnerability assessment (Fig. 1.4)Is <strong>the</strong> site vulnerable and susceptible to human-induced changes and threatening processes?7. Replication (Fig. 1.4)Will <strong>the</strong> site provide replication <strong>of</strong> ecosystems within <strong>the</strong> bioregion?115
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionFig. 1.1Primary and secondary goals for a system <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas.Fig. 1.2Criteria for comprehensiveness.Fig. 1.3Criteria for representativeness.116
AppendixFig. 1.4Criteria for adequacy.Fig. 1.5Criteria for human activities.117
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionProtection <strong>of</strong> biodiversity and ecosystem viabilityThe multiple criteria models can be used to group MPA identification and selection criteria intotwo main branches (Fig. 1.1): primary goals to protect biodiversity and ecosystem viability andsecondary goals to provide for human use. The scope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bioregional assessments isrestricted to identifying candidate MPAs by assessing <strong>the</strong> primary goals on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong>ecological criteria. These criteria can be organised under 3 main branches: comprehensiveness,representativeness and adequacy.ComprehensivenessComprehensiveness is defined as including ‘<strong>the</strong> full range <strong>of</strong> marine ecosystems and habitats’within MPAs (ANZECC/TFMPA 1998a, b). Strictly speaking, ecosystems and habitats are toocomplex and dynamic to define and map accurately, however ‘surrogate’ measures or indicatorscan be used to approximately map generally recognised broadscale patterns in biodiversity.For <strong>the</strong> assessment, ecosystems and habitats (Fig. 1.2) were defined in an environmentalclassification based on broadscale differences in geomorphology, depth, substratum andexposure. On <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> existing ecological knowledge, <strong>the</strong>se largely physical differences inenvironments were assumed to reflect a corresponding diversity in different habitats, species,and ecological processes.RepresentativenessRepresentativeness means that areas included in MPAs should ‘reasonably reflect <strong>the</strong> bioticdiversity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> marine ecosystems from which <strong>the</strong>y derive’ (ANZECC/TFMPA 1998a, b). Thatis, while comprehensively sampling <strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> biotic variation, MPAs should also include areasonably unbiased and sufficiently large, representative proportion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> variation within thisrange.An important outcome <strong>of</strong> this approach is to protect typical species, processes and areas ra<strong>the</strong>rthan protecting only well known, charismatic, rare, threatened, scenic, recreational orconvenient elements <strong>of</strong> biodiversity. Vulnerable and unique elements, however should not beignored, and a representative system <strong>of</strong> MPAs should protect both typical and ‘special’components <strong>of</strong> biodiversity (Inglis 1992; Jones et al. 1992; Jones and Kaly 1998).Fig. 1.3 describes representativeness as a function <strong>of</strong> typical and special communities andspecies. Typical communities and species are represented through finer scale physicalindicators, available broadscale surveys, incidental sightings, and descriptive records <strong>of</strong>communities and species populations.Special species and communities in Fig. 1.3 include rare, endemic, threatened, ecologicallyimportant, unique, productive, biogeographically and internationally or nationally importantcommunities and species. Threatened communities and species include those communities,populations and species listed as endangered and vulnerable under <strong>the</strong> NSW FisheriesManagement Act 1994 and <strong>the</strong> Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.AdequacyAdequacy is defined as ‘<strong>the</strong> required level <strong>of</strong> reservation to ensure <strong>the</strong> ecological viability andintegrity <strong>of</strong> populations, species and communities’ (ANZECC/TFMPA 1998a, b). Adequacyincludes criteria that affect <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>of</strong> MPAs to sustain <strong>the</strong> biodiversity <strong>the</strong>y aim to conserveand involves consideration <strong>of</strong> vulnerability, condition, reserve design, connectivity andpractical MPA management (Fig. 1.4).118
AppendixVulnerabilityVulnerability may be interpreted in two ways. Where <strong>the</strong>re is a range <strong>of</strong> options available forprotection <strong>of</strong> a feature it may be preferable to include areas that are least threatened to increase<strong>the</strong>ir probability <strong>of</strong> survival. This approach may apply when threats originate from outside <strong>the</strong>MPA and are beyond <strong>the</strong> immediate control <strong>of</strong> MPA management. An example might be inselecting marine areas with catchments protected by terrestrial protected areas.However, where <strong>the</strong>re are only a few examples <strong>of</strong> a habitat or species, <strong>the</strong>re may be urgentreasons for protecting <strong>the</strong> areas most threatened, particularly where threats operate inside <strong>the</strong>MPA and are under some control <strong>of</strong> MPA management. This priority is now incorporatedimplicitly in terrestrial reserve selection methods (Faith and Walker 1996; Cowling 1999;Pressey and Taffs 2001). An example might be a rare habitat or species that might o<strong>the</strong>rwise belost without <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> a MPA.ConditionCondition or ‘naturalness’ reflects whe<strong>the</strong>r an area has already undergone some degree <strong>of</strong>impact. If an area has been affected by pollution, disturbance, pests, disease, habitat loss, orover-exploitation, <strong>the</strong> ecological viability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area, as well as <strong>the</strong> diversity <strong>of</strong> organismspresent may be affected.Ecological reserve designEcological viability requires consideration <strong>of</strong> reserve design including size, shape, replicationand <strong>the</strong> configuration <strong>of</strong> reserves within a network. Reserve design criteria aim to ensure thatindividual MPAs and <strong>the</strong> overall reserve system remain ecologically viable. Basic reservedesign guidelines include <strong>the</strong> need to:Establish clear objectivesThe primary objectives <strong>of</strong> any MPA need to be stated clearly. A reserve’s location, design andmanagement should reflect its intended purpose. Reserve design for fisheries management,sedentary organisms, birds and whole ecosystems may differ considerably (Agardy 2000;Planes et al. 2000, Roberts and Hawkins 2000, Salm et al. 2000).Select, design and manage <strong>the</strong> MPA in line with <strong>the</strong>se objectivesThe biology <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> target organisms including <strong>the</strong>ir life cycles, movements, feeding, behaviourand physiology all need to be considered in reserve design. Even where a range <strong>of</strong> biodiversityis targeted, careful consideration should be given to <strong>the</strong> ecology <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organisms <strong>the</strong> MPA isdesigned to protect.Conduct site assessmentsOnce candidate MPA sites have been identified at a regional level, more detailed site studies arerequired to assess <strong>the</strong> validity <strong>of</strong> broadscale predictions, collate any detailed informationavailable and specifically assess local patterns <strong>of</strong> biodiversity, threats and issues for futuremanagement.Use natural boundaries and where possible include whole ecosystems and habitatsWhere possible, <strong>the</strong> natural limits <strong>of</strong> ecosystems or habitats should be used to help definemarine protected area boundaries (Salm et al. 2000). Where an entire ecosystem or habitat isimportant for conservation, all <strong>of</strong> its area should be protected (Roberts and Hawkins 2000, Salmet al. 2000). Reservation <strong>of</strong> an entire system is likely to enhance protection by:• taking advantage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> unit’s natural isolation from threatening processes• inhibiting excessive spillover <strong>of</strong> mobile organisms from <strong>the</strong> reserve• protecting <strong>the</strong> full range <strong>of</strong> variation occurring within a unit.119
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionUse core and buffer zonesHighly protected core conservation areas should be surrounded by an appropriate buffer zone toavoid sudden transitions from highly protected areas to areas with relatively little protection.High value conservation sites that are vulnerable to human use should be protected in coreprotection zones. Buffer zones may also be used to provide important corridors between areas.Use highly protected areasThe concept <strong>of</strong> minimum or optimum MPA size should be applied to core sanctuary zones, notto <strong>the</strong> total extent <strong>of</strong> a multiple-use MPA (Salm et al. 2000). Most evidence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> beneficialeffects <strong>of</strong> MPAs is related to core sanctuary (or ‘no take’) areas where extractive use isprohibited.Ensure adequate size and number <strong>of</strong> reservesThere are few general rules for determining <strong>the</strong> best size and arrangement <strong>of</strong> MPAs as biologiesand life histories vary widely among species and with season and location (Roberts andHawkins 1997; Crosby et al. 2000; Roberts 2000; Salm et al. 2000). However, protected areasshould be as large as possible and should not be smaller than <strong>the</strong> average size for a given habitattype (Salm et al. 2000).Where MPAs target particular species, and where sufficient data exist, attempts can be made toestimate an appropriate MPA size and configuration. MPA size may also be determined byexamining <strong>the</strong> percentage <strong>of</strong> species richness represented with increasing reserve size (Salm etal. 2000), or through fisheries and o<strong>the</strong>r modelling techniques (Crosby et al. 2000).One trend however, persists: <strong>the</strong> larger <strong>the</strong> MPA, <strong>the</strong> more species that will be represented, and<strong>the</strong> more likely <strong>the</strong>ir populations are to survive disturbances (Salm et al. 2000).Maximise habitat complexityRepresentation <strong>of</strong> species and habitat diversity can be enhanced by establishing MPAs inlocations with a wide range <strong>of</strong> physical environments (e.g. estuaries, islands and headlands withsignificant depth gradients and both protected and exposed aspects). Different organismsassociate with different marine structures and high habitat complexity is <strong>of</strong>ten associated withhigh species diversity. For example, <strong>the</strong> species richness <strong>of</strong> rocky reef fish communities isgreatest in areas with high habitat complexity (Garcia-Charton et al. 2000).Maximise <strong>the</strong> connection between neighbouring habitatsMany species selectively use different habitats at different times, seasons or stages in <strong>the</strong>ir lifehistory. Protection <strong>of</strong> organisms in one habitat may be compromised unless o<strong>the</strong>r locations onwhich <strong>the</strong>y depend are also managed for conservation (Salm et al. 2000).Complement existing MPAsReserve design should consider <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> individual MPAs in contributing to <strong>the</strong> overallcomplement <strong>of</strong> biodiversity represented in reserves and should also consider <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> MPAsin <strong>the</strong> ecological functioning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reserve system (Crosby et al. 2000; Salm et al. 2000).Coordinate management across marine and terrestrial environmentsCoordinated management <strong>of</strong> marine and terrestrial systems can help conserve ecosystemfunction and mitigate against catchment based threats. Increasing urban development andinappropriate land use in coastal catchments are recognised as major threats to marinebiodiversity in New South Wales. With <strong>the</strong> population in <strong>the</strong> non-metropolitan coastal areas <strong>of</strong>NSW increasing by 45% between 1981–1991, <strong>the</strong> terrestrial reserve system and improvedintegrated planning are seen as key mechanisms for conserving marine and coastal biodiversity(NSW Government 1997).120
AppendixDevelop a network <strong>of</strong> MPAs for all ecosystems, communities and species to:• represent <strong>the</strong> full regional range <strong>of</strong> marine biodiversity• insure against risk through replication• ensure connectivity between ecosystems and populations• provide scientific reference sites• intersperse replicate study sites for research, monitoring and adaptive management• promote ‘spill over’ effects to surrounding areas• provide for <strong>the</strong> recovery <strong>of</strong> damaged environments• provide opportunities for understanding, sustainable use and enjoyment• provide opportunities for community input and stewardship.Exercise risk management and <strong>the</strong> uncertainty principleInformation for management <strong>of</strong> marine biodiversity will never to be perfect and identificationand selection criteria can only hope to approximate ideal objectives and goals. In setting andimplementing criteria, <strong>the</strong> NSW Government has adopted a precautionary approach tomanaging MPAs i.e. ‘Where <strong>the</strong>re are threats <strong>of</strong> serious or irreversible environmental damage,lack <strong>of</strong> full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures toprevent environmental degradation’ (National Strategy for Ecologically SustainableDevelopment 1992).Management practicalitiesManagement practicalities also affect <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>of</strong> MPAs to adequately conserve biodiversity.Criteria that need to be considered in identifying MPAs include:• education (recognition <strong>of</strong> values, regulations and boundaries)• cooperation (best practices, consultation, voluntary compliance, volunteer work)• planning, regulation and enforcement considerations• research and monitoring design for adaptive management• benefits from integrated ecosystem management <strong>of</strong> surrounding areas• ease <strong>of</strong> administration, planning, permitting, impact assessment and finance• political and community support to establish and make <strong>the</strong> MPA system work.EducationFor a system <strong>of</strong> MPAs to be effective, community support is essential. Support can only begained if people are properly informed and educated about <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> MPAs. For managementprocesses to be seen as transparent, people need to be made aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reasons for MPAs andhow decisions are made. The complexities <strong>of</strong> MPA management can also lead tomisinterpretation <strong>of</strong> management strategies. Education can help avoid confusion and allayunjustified fears in <strong>the</strong> community.Although education can, and should be provided to all areas, some locations are particularlysuited to <strong>the</strong>se activities and may already have education programs in place. Areas recognisedfor <strong>the</strong>ir high natural values are <strong>of</strong>ten suitable subjects for documentaries and printed articles onmarine environments that can be entertaining, informative and promote marine conservation toaudiences internationally. Providing information for local displays, tours, businesses, schoolsand o<strong>the</strong>r agencies provides tangible benefits to <strong>the</strong> community and opportunities forcommunity input. In <strong>the</strong>se instances, education can involve all age and community groupsincluding children and <strong>the</strong> broader community, as well as those stakeholders most directlyaffected by MPAs.121
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hawkesbury</strong> <strong>Shelf</strong> Marine BioregionPlanning, regulation and enforcementIn an integrated system <strong>of</strong> MPAs, <strong>the</strong>re needs to be coordination <strong>of</strong> planning and complianceamong MPAs, and between management jurisdictions. With three NSW agencies responsiblefor MPA management, and several o<strong>the</strong>r regulatory agencies in New South Wales with marineresponsibilities, <strong>the</strong>re is much scope for cooperation in management strategies as well as <strong>the</strong>potential for confusion over jurisdiction. In addition, responsibilities for bioregions <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong>NSW coast are shared with <strong>the</strong> Federal Government (e.g. for part <strong>of</strong> Jervis Bay and waters morethan 3 nm <strong>of</strong>fshore) and with neighbouring state governments (for <strong>the</strong> sections <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tweed-Moreton and Tw<strong>of</strong>old <strong>Shelf</strong> bioregions).MPA design also needs to take into account strategies and restrictions already in place. In thisway, <strong>the</strong>y may take advantage <strong>of</strong> existing regulations, programs and facilities, avoid legalcomplications, minimise additional impacts on existing use and generally manage forconservation in a more effective manner.Care should also be taken to ensure that ecological objectives are not compromised by gaps injurisdiction. For example, where MPAs are declared to <strong>the</strong> high water mark, measures shouldbe taken to ensure that <strong>the</strong> mangrove and saltmarsh habitats inland <strong>of</strong> this boundary are alsoconserved.This approach applies to management for a wide range <strong>of</strong> issues including catchmentmanagement, agriculture, development, fisheries, national parks, pollution, shipping, wastemanagement and law enforcement. Opportunities for integrated management exist across all<strong>the</strong>se areas in surveillance, research and monitoring, education, consultation, development <strong>of</strong>best practices, pest control, risk assessment and rehabilitation.ResearchMPAs have a crucial role as reference sites in understanding changing marine environmentsand <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> human activities. Without reference sites where impacts are virtually absentor at least controlled, <strong>the</strong>re are no baselines for distinguishing natural from human disturbancesor for differentiating <strong>the</strong> causes <strong>of</strong> impacts from sources as diverse as fishing, land use,pollution, pests, development or climate change. Without this knowledge, our ability to detectproblems or develop (and test) effective solutions is severely limited.In particular, without consideration <strong>of</strong> experimental design in <strong>the</strong> identification, selection anddesign <strong>of</strong> MPAs it may be very difficult to assess whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> reserves are even effective inachieving <strong>the</strong>ir objectives. Important considerations here are <strong>the</strong> balanced replication <strong>of</strong> areaswithin a range <strong>of</strong> habitats and levels <strong>of</strong> protection, an interspersed allocation <strong>of</strong> replicates(Hurlbert 1984) and procedures to assess compliance with designated levels <strong>of</strong> protection.As <strong>the</strong> design <strong>of</strong> reserve networks and research programs share similar guidelines, even smallalterations at <strong>the</strong> MPA design stage may have significant effects on <strong>the</strong> validity <strong>of</strong> futureresearch and assessment (Kingsford 1999). The partnership between research and managementshould be regarded as an ongoing and iterative process <strong>of</strong> adaptive management to graduallyimprove <strong>the</strong> design and management <strong>of</strong> MPAs.As research in marine environments is <strong>of</strong>ten difficult and costly <strong>the</strong>re are significant advantagesin cooperative research among MPA agencies and <strong>the</strong> many o<strong>the</strong>r agencies, universities,industries, organisations and individuals involved with marine environments in New SouthWales. Consideration <strong>of</strong> existing research programs, infrastructure and local knowledge atpotential MPA sites may have important benefits for research, monitoring and biodiversityconservation.122
AppendixManaging and providing for human activitiesTable 1.2b and Figs. 1.1 and 1.5 list criteria under <strong>the</strong> secondary goal to: ‘Manage and providefor human activities’. Criteria for human activities are scheduled by national guidelines into aseparate site ‘selection’ process. Where consistent with ecological goals, <strong>the</strong> selection processaims to minimise restrictions on human activities, and even enhance cultural, social andeconomic values. Often <strong>the</strong> ecological options for MPAs are flexible enough to allow for avariety <strong>of</strong> human uses.Fig. 1.5 lists just some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> interests potentially affected by MPAs. It is evident, even in thissimplified view, that <strong>the</strong>re is potential for conflict between conservation values and competinginterests. Careful consideration <strong>of</strong> human activities is <strong>the</strong>refore required if MPAs are to beimplemented.Stakeholders <strong>of</strong>ten spend many pr<strong>of</strong>essional and recreational hours observing marineecosystems and can <strong>of</strong>ten contribute valuable information on species distributions, habitats,vulnerability, condition and threats. When used cautiously, such information may lead to morerealistic MPA management that adapts more readily to local conditions, habitats and organisms(Johannes et al. 2000). Subject to intellectual property rights, indigenous knowledge shouldalso be included in MPA research programs and management, and incorporated into MPAinterpretation and education strategies.Davey (1998) lists eleven reasons why plans for MPAs fail, six <strong>of</strong> which involve stakeholderinput:• <strong>the</strong>y do not address key issues• <strong>the</strong>y fail to involve stakeholders• <strong>the</strong>y rely too much on external experts and fail to involve local people• <strong>the</strong>y are weak on implementation• <strong>the</strong>y fail to raise political support for protected areas as a worthwhile concern• <strong>the</strong>y are poorly publicised.There are many ways in which consultation can be enhanced through advisory committees,community meetings, information sessions, displays, through all forms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> media andthrough <strong>the</strong> general availability <strong>of</strong> staff for public communication. Effective consultationencourages public confidence and a sense <strong>of</strong> ownership and contributes to <strong>the</strong> effectiveness <strong>of</strong>MPAs in adequately conserving marine biodiversity.123
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GlossaryGlossaryAdequacy<strong>Biodiversity</strong>bioregionComprehensivenessEcologicallysustainable useEcosystemEndemismHabitatIrreplaceabilityNaturalnessNSW watersRepresentativenessThe maintenance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ecological viability and integrity <strong>of</strong>populations, species and communities (ANZECC 1999).The variety <strong>of</strong> life forms: <strong>the</strong> different plants, animals andmicro-organisms, <strong>the</strong> genes <strong>the</strong>y contain, and <strong>the</strong> ecosystems<strong>the</strong>y form (NSW National Parks 1999).An area defined by a combination <strong>of</strong> biological, social andgeographic criteria, ra<strong>the</strong>r than by geopolitical considerations.Generally, a system <strong>of</strong> related, interconnected ecosystems(ANZECC 1999).Includes <strong>the</strong> full range <strong>of</strong> ecosystems recognised at anappropriate scale within and across each bioregion (ANZECC1999).Using, conserving and enhancing <strong>the</strong> community’s resources sothat ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintainedand <strong>the</strong> total quality <strong>of</strong> life, now and in <strong>the</strong> future can beincreased.All <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organisms in a community in a given area ininteraction with <strong>the</strong>ir abiotic (non-living) environment and eacho<strong>the</strong>r.Originating in a given area and confined to that area.The living space <strong>of</strong> a species or community, providing aparticular set <strong>of</strong> environmental conditions.Irreplaceability is a measure designed to estimate <strong>the</strong> likelihood<strong>of</strong> a site being required to meet a conservation target or <strong>the</strong>extent to which conservation options are reduced if that site isunavailable. Summed irreplaceability is calculated by adding <strong>the</strong>individual feature irreplaceabilities for all <strong>the</strong> features at a site.The extent to which an area is free from human induced change.Waters within 3 nautical miles <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NSW coast and islands,under <strong>the</strong> jurisdiction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> State <strong>of</strong> NSW.Those marine areas that are selected for inclusion in reservesshould reasonably reflect <strong>the</strong> biotic diversity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> marineecosystems from which <strong>the</strong>y derive (ANZECC 1999).125
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AbbreviationsAHOAMBISARCCDANZECCCARDECDIPNRDPIEEZAbbreviationsAustralian Hydrographic OfficeAustralian Marine Boundary Information SystemAustralian River and Catchment Condition DatabaseAustralian and New Zealand Environment and ConservationCouncilComprehensive, adequate and representativeNSW Department <strong>of</strong> Environment and ConservationNSW Department <strong>of</strong> Infrastructure, Planning and NaturalResourcesNSW Department <strong>of</strong> Primary IndustriesExclusive economic zoneFMA Fisheries Management Act 1994IMCRAIUCNMPAMPACInterim Marine and Coastal Regionalisation for AustraliaWorld Conservation Union (formerly known as InternationalUnion for <strong>the</strong> Conservation <strong>of</strong> Nature and Natural Resources)Marine protected area (includes marine and estuarine areas)Marine Park Advisory CouncilNPWA National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974NPWSNRSMPANSWMPANSWSMPASEPPNational Parks and Wildlife Service (now within DEC)National Representative System <strong>of</strong> Marine Protected AreasNSW Marine Parks AuthorityNSW System <strong>of</strong> Marine Protected AreasState Environmental Planning Policy127