Morning Inlet–Bynoe River declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

• Approximately 30km south-west of Karumba, including Morning Inlet and Bynoe River
• Plan number: FHA-062
• Carpentaria Shire Council

Size and management level

• 39,870 ha – Management A.

Declaration history

• 19 May 1990: Original declaration.
• 1 July 2010: Redeclaration:
  • redeclared to cadastral boundaries
  • extended seaward.

Management features

• Department of Primary Industries sampling stations were established in the 1990s, with stations in the Flinders River from the mouth upstream to Bird Creek.
• Seagrass monitoring sites as part of the Ports Corporation of Queensland project.

Habitat values

• Closed mixed and open mangrove communities in riverine areas (Avicennia)
• Closed and open mangrove communities (Avicennia) along parts of the foreshore
• Extensive unvegetated salt flats associated with the estuary and foreshore sand banks.

Fisheries values

• Commercial, recreational and Indigenous fisheries.
• Important prawn and fish nursery area.
• Important barramundi recreational fishing destination.
• Species:
  • Blue salmon
  • Grey mackerel
  • King salmon
  • Queenfish
  • Grunter
  • Mud crabs
  • Jewfish.

Other values

• None presently identified.