Moreton Banks declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

  • South-western side of Moreton Island, south of Tangalooma Point, 30 km 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 7 m) 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