Starcke River (Ngulun) declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

• Starcke River, including coastal waters from Lookout Point to Jeannie River, 60km north of Hopevale
• Plan number: FHA-068
• Cook Shire Council

Size and management level

Total size: 30,003 ha:

• 20,106 ha – Management A
• 9,897 ha – Management B.

Declaration history

• 25 February 2005: Original declaration.

Management features

• Highly productive fisheries habitats in pristine or near-pristine condition.

Habitat values

• One of the most varied coastlines on Cape York Peninsula, including large areas of mangrove, tidal floodplains, sand dunes and rocky headlands
• Sixteen species of mangroves (dominated by Rhizophora, Avicennia and Ceriops)
• Salt pans and salt marsh
• Intertidal flats
• Extensive intertidal and subtidal seagrass meadows with up to 10 species
• Important Penaeid prawn habitat.

Fisheries values

• Indigenous subsistence fishing.
• Commercial net and crab fishery.
• Recreational fishing.
• Species:
  • Barramundi
  • Salmon
  • Queenfish
  • Trevally
  • Grunter
  • Catfish
  • Mullet
  • Mud crabs
  • Reef fish
  • Mackerel.

Unique features

• Diversity of pristine habitats of high fisheries value.
• Lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Other values

• Fringing coral reefs.
• Adjacent Melaleuca wetlands.
• Important dugong habitat.

References

• Sheppard, R, Roelofs, A, Garrett, R, Helmke, S and Campey, M 2001, Starcke region: assessment of fisheries resources May–June 2000, Information Series QI 01067, Department of Primary Industries.