Margaret Bay (Wuthathi) declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

• Foreshore from Olive River, north around Cape Grenville, including Home Islands, Margaret Bay and Shelburne Bay to Double Point, 100 km north of Portland Road
• Plan number: FHA-070 (Revision 1)
• Cook Shire Council

Size and management level

27,556 ha total

• 24,349 ha Management A
• 3,207 ha Management B

Declaration history

• 25 February 2005:
  • original declaration
• 28 March 2008 redeclaration:
  • correct a boundary error

Management features

• Culturally significant area for the Wuthathi people
• A diverse range of near-pristine habitats of significant fisheries value
• Adjoins the Temple Bay Fish Habitat Area

Habitat values

• Mangrove-lined estuaries with at least 23 species (dominated by Rhizophora, Bruguiera and Ceriops)
• Saltmarshes and salt pans
• Intertidal banks
• Extensive, diverse and dense seagrass meadows containing at least 8 species
• Extensive macroalgae beds
• Rocky shores
• Adjoining or adjacent freshwater wetlands

Fisheries values

• Indigenous, recreational and commercial fishing
• Species:
  • Barramundi
  • Tarpon
  • Threadfin salmon
  • Grey mackerel
  • Shark
  • Estuary cod
  • Mangrove jack
  • Fingermark

Unique features

• Lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Other values

• Important dugong habitat, coral reefs, and islands

References

• Sheppard, R, Roelofs, A E, Garrett, R, Helmke, S A 2002, Margaret Bay and surrounds: assessment of fisheries resources, August 2001, Information Series QI02003, Queensland Department of Primary Industries