Repulse declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

  • Cape Conway to Seaforth, 40km south-east of Proserpine
  • Plan number: FHA-004
  • Whitsunday Shire Council

Size and management level

  • 69,496 ha – Management A.

Declaration history

  • 19 November 1983: Original declaration.
  • 10 May 1986: Redeclaration:
    • to extend across Repulse Bay to St Helens Bay.
  • 24 July 1998: Redeclaration:
    • to cadastral boundaries.

Management features

  • Habitat conservation for fish and prawn stocks.
  • Protection of fishing grounds.

Habitat values

  • Mangrove-dominated floodplain (Rhizophora, Acanthus, Acrostichum, Avicennia and Ceriops)
  • Mangrove-lined creeks
  • Intertidal flats
  • Seagrass beds around the mouth of Repulse Creek.

Fisheries values

  • Commercial, recreational and Indigenous fishing.
  • Species:
    • Barramundi
    • Blue salmon
    • Bream
    • Estuary cod
    • Flathead
    • Grey mackerel
    • Grunter
    • Mangrove jack
    • Queenfish
    • School mackerel
    • Whiting
    • Banana prawns.

Unique features

  • Lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, St Helens Beach to Cape Hillsborough net-free fishing zone, and Repulse Bay dugong protection zone.

Other values

  • For the protection of dugong and marine turtle habitat.