Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters)
North Solitary Island
Overview
Summary
| Proclamation date | 3 March 1993 |
|---|---|
| Size (current) | 16 000Ha (160 Km2) |
| IUCN category | Overall — IUCN Category VI. Includes three Zones as follows:
|
| Biogeographic context | Central Eastern Province |
| Management plan status | Interim management arrangements |
Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters) (SIMR) is located off the coast of Northern NSW 600 kilometres north of Sydney between Coffs Harbour and Plover Island. It is adjacent to the Solitary Islands Marine Park (New South Wales Waters) (SIMP) and extends from the three nautical mile State limit seaward to the 50m depth contour. The SIMR encompasses the waters, seabed and subsoil beneath the seabed to a depth of 1000m. The SIMP (NSW Waters) is 710km2 in area with the SIMR (Commonwealth Waters) covering a further 160km2.
Following the introduction of Interim Management Arrangements on 4 April 2008, all commercial activities and fishing in the reserve require an Approval from the Director of National Parks.
Recreational Diving at Pimpernel Rock in the Sanctuary Zone also requires an approval.
Scientific research activities in SIMR also require an approval or permit depending on the activities to be undertaken.
History
Fifteen shipwrecks are known to have occurred in the Solitary Island region between 1833 and 1976. Although none of these wrecks have yet been located in the Reserve, there remains a distinct possibility that some wrecks may be discovered within the Reserve in the future
Special features
The Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters) protects and conserves a relatively undisturbed, distinct and species-rich ecosystem associated with its open ocean, subtidal reef, and soft substrate habitats.
Pimpernel Rock is the most significant feature in the Reserve. It is a submerged pinnacle that rises from the seabed to within a few metres of the surface, providing habitat for benthic communities, pelagic fish, grey nurse sharks Carcharias taurus, black cod Epinephilus damelii, and marine turtles.
The marine reserve is located in a mixing zone between tropical and temperate environments, and many species are at, or close to, their southern and northern geographical extents. Biogeographic overlap zones such as this, where many species are at the extremities of their natural distributions, are important natural laboratories in which to study ecological processes, inter-specific competition, larval dispersal mechanisms, reef formation and limiting environmental factors.
It is also home to a number of species which are listed as endangered or vulnerable under Commonwealth legislation or international agreements. Examples include humpback whales, dolphins, grey nurse sharks, the black cod, Bleekers devil fish, the little tern and other seabirds.
Also in this section
Existing Commonwealth reserves under the EPBC Act
Marine protected areas
Temperate East Marine Region
- Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve
- Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters)
- Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
- Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Coral Sea
- Coral Sea Conservation Zone
- Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve
- Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve
North-west Marine Region
- Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve
and
Cartier Island Marine Reserve - Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve
- Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)