Staaten–Gilbert declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

• 120km north-west of Karumba, between just south of Gilbert River mouth to approximately 8km north of Staaten River mouth
• Plan number: FHA-061
• Carpentaria Shire Council

Size and management level

• 22,147 ha – Management A.

Declaration history

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

Management features

• Department of Primary Industries sampling stations in the Staaten River from Dinah Island upstream to Wyaaba Creek supported the original declaration.

Habitat values

• Closed and open Avicennia along the foreshore
• Closed Avicennia and mixed communities in riverine areas
• Extensive unvegetated salt flats associated with the estuary
• Extensive nearshore sand banks associated with river mouths
• Extensive scald areas.

Fisheries values

• Conservation of commercial, recreational and Indigenous fisheries resources.
• Important prawn and fish nursery area.
• Important barramundi recreational fishing destination.
• Species:
  • Barramundi
  • Blue salmon
  • Grey mackerel
  • Queenfish
  • Grunter
  • Mud crabs
  • Catfish.

Other values

• None presently identified.