Montebello Islands Marine Park

The Montebello Island Marine Park (area 58,331 ha) is located off the northwest coast of Western Australia, about 1,600 km north of Perth,[2] and 120 km west of Dampier.[3] The reserve includes the entire group of Montebello Islands.[2]

Montebello Island Marine Park
Western Australia
Gorgon-Gasfield and Barrow-Island
Montebello Island Marine Park is located in Western Australia
Montebello Island Marine Park
Montebello Island Marine Park
Nearest town or cityKarratha
Coordinates20.4806°S 115.4761°E / -20.4806; 115.4761
Established10 December 2004 (2004-12-10)[1]
Area58,344 hectares (144,170 acres)[1]
Managing authoritiesDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
See alsoList of protected areas of
Western Australia

Close to the marine park is one of the most important oil and gas extraction zones in Australia, the Gorgon gas field, and it is also one of the most important breeding and nesting sites for sea turtles.[4]

There are two large contiguous protected areas: Barrow Island Marine Park (4169 hectares) and Barrow Island Marine Management Area (114,693 hectares).[2]

in 1952 and 1956, British-Australian atomic tests took place on/near Alpha and Tremouille Islands in the Montebello group.[2]

Flora and fauna

Amongst the larger forms of sealife found in the marine protected area are: the Flatback sea turtle, Green sea turtle, Hawksbill sea turtle, the occasional loggerhead sea turtle, minke whale, toothed whale, Bryde's whale, humpback whales, sperm whales, short-finned pilot whale, killer whales, false killer whales, common dolphins, striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and dugong.[2]

There are 150 species of hard corals in the marine area, over 450 fish species, 170 species of echinoderms and over 630 species of molluscs.[3] Six mangrove species occur on the coast, and within lagoons.[3]

Economic uses

The Gorgon gas fields contain approximately 40 Tcf of gas.[5]

Commercial fishing for sharks and turtles occurs in addition to recreational fishing.[2] Nature tourism with diving, snorkelling, wildlife observation and water sports is also important.[2] Additionally, cultured pearl production has been carried out in the area since 1902.[2]

Other

Archaeological traces of Aborigines have not yet been found on the coast of this park.

References
  1. "Marine CAPAD 2022 WA summary". www.dcceew.gov.au/. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  2. Management Plan for the Montebello/Barrow Islands Marine Conservation Reserves 2007–2017 Management Plan No 55 (PDF), Department of Environment and Conservation
  3. Montebellow Islands Marine Park (PDF), Department of Environment and Conservation, 2009, retrieved 2 June 2021
  4. Barrow Island Marine Park, marineparks.wa.gov.au, retrieved 2 June 2021
  5. Western Australian Oil and Gas Review 2008 (PDF), Department of Industry and Resources, 2008, p. 7, retrieved 2 June 2021
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