Edgecumbe Bay declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

  • Edgecumbe Bay, Cape Gloucester to Adelaide Point, 10km south-east of Bowen
  • Plan number: FHA-069
  • Whitsunday Regional Council

Size and management level

Total size: 19,705 ha:

  • 17,905 ha – Management A
  • 1,800 ha – Management B.

Declaration history

  • 25 February 2005: Original declaration.

Management features

  • Protection of important commercial, recreational and Indigenous fishing grounds.
  • Pristine habitats and coastal wetland systems.
  • Protection of diverse habitats, including mangrove forests and seagrass beds.

Habitat values

  • Mangrove forests with up to 12 species (dominated by Rhizophora and Ceriops)
  • Salt pan and saltmarsh
  • Intertidal sand and mud banks
  • Sandy shores
  • Rocky shores
  • Extensive seagrass meadows
  • Coral reefs.

Fisheries values

  • Important commercial, recreational and traditional fishing grounds.
  • Species:
    • Barramundi
    • Mullet
    • Mud crabs
    • Blue threadfin
    • Whiting
    • Mangrove jack
    • Bream
    • Grunter
    • Spanish mackerel
    • Grey mackerel
    • Spotted mackerel
    • Shark
    • Tiger prawns
    • Reef fish.

Unique features

  • Lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Other values

  • Protection of coral reefs.

References

  • Sheppard, R 2002, Identification and assessment of the fisheries resources of Edgecumbe Bay, Queensland Department of Primary Industries.