Temple Bay declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

  • 420km north of Cooktown, between the Olive River and Mosquito Point, Temple Bay, east Cape York Peninsula
  • Plan number: FHA-058
  • Cook Shire Council

Size and management level

  • 18,995 ha – Management A.

Declaration history

  • 19 November 1983: Original declaration.
  • 1 July 2010: Redeclaration:
    • to cadastral boundaries and to extend seaward.

Management features

  • Department of Primary Industries survey stations in Glennie and Hunter inlets supported the original declaration
  • Seaward boundary aligned with trawl closure boundary in 2010.
  • Adjoins Margaret Bay (Wuthathi) Fish Habitat Area.

Habitat values

  • Extensive closed mangrove communities (Rhizophora and Ceriops) within Temple Bay
  • Some saltpans and sparse seagrass beds.

Fisheries values

  • Protection of commercial prawn and fish habitat, including barramundi habitat.
  • Recreational and Indigenous fishing grounds.
  • Species:
    • Barramundi
    • Blue salmon
    • Grey mackerel
    • Queenfish
    • Grunter
    • Mangrove jack
    • Estuary cod
    • Endeavour prawns
    • Tiger prawns.

Unique features

  • The uncommon trumpet tree mangrove (Dolichandrone spathacea) is found here.
  • Lies within and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Other values

  • None presently identified.