Moreton Banks declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

• South-western side of Moreton Island, south of Tangalooma Point, 30km east to north-east of Brisbane
• Plan number: FHA-015
• Brisbane City Council

Size and management level

• 6,318 ha – Management A.

Declaration history

• 23 January 1969: Original declaration.
• 24 July 1998: Redeclaration:
  • redeclared to cadastral boundaries.

Management features

• Conservation and fisheries management of extensive oyster grounds adjacent to settlement and access centre on the southern end of Moreton Island.
• Protection of seagrass for prawn habitat.

Habitat values

• Offshore mangroves (Avicennia)
• Sandy substrates with light or dense seagrass beds (Zostera and Halophila) and clear waters
• Offshore mangrove island and a natural deep (up to 7m) hole.

Fisheries values

• Public oyster grounds.
• Established recreational and commercial fisheries.
• Species:
  • Bream
  • Cobia
  • Blue Salmon
  • Estuary cod
  • Flathead
  • Garfish
  • Jewfish
  • Luderick
  • Mangrove jack
  • School mackerel
  • Sea mullet
  • Snapper
  • Spotted mackerel
  • Tailor
  • Whiting
  • Mud crabs
  • Sand crabs
  • Banana prawns
  • Bay prawns
  • Eastern king prawns
  • Oysters.

Unique features

• Lies within the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland.

Other values

• The most important dugong habitat in Moreton Bay.
• Marine turtle habitat.