Threatened and protected species

While the marine park helps to conserve all marine species occurring naturally in the region. Emphasis is also given to conserving species that are threatened, protected or endemic.

Threatened and protected species include the Greynurse Shark, Black Rockcod, turtles, whales and shore birds.

The only known occurrence of a critically endangered marine alga, Nereia lophocladia, is near Muttonbird Island.

The Marine Park contains significant habitat for the endangered grey nurse shark.

  • North Solitary Island and South Solitary Island are listed as aggregation sites.
  • Smaller numbers of sharks are regularly observed at Groper (South West Solitary) Island and Split Solitary Island.
  • The sharks also aggregate at Pimpernel Rock in the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth waters).

North Solitary Island holds the east coast's most important breeding site for the regionally endemic broad-banded anemonefish.

Three sea turtles are regularly recorded in the park:

  • the green turtle (Chelonia midas);
  • loggerhead turtle (Carretta carretta);
  • hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate).

Threatened seabird species include pied and sooty oystercatchers and ospreys.

  • Birds migrating to breeding and feeding grounds are present in the park for short periods each year.
  • Migratory waders and shorebirds roost, feed and breed in the park, as do a range of seabirds and sea raptors, including the threatened osprey.
  • The beach stone-curlew, the sooty and pied oystercatcher and the little tern are among the significant species.

Key areas of importance are:

  • estuarine sand flats;
  • islands such as the Sandon, Wooli;
  • Wooli and Corindi rivers;
  • Moonee and Coffs creeks.
  • Beach dunes and rocky shores are also important.

The common and bottlenose dolphins live in the park throughout the year.

Other nationally significant marine mammals recorded in the region include:

  • humpback whale;
  • southern right whale;
  • sei whale;
  • fin whale;
  • blue whale;
  • dusky dolphin.
  • Humpback whales are regularly seen in June and July as they travel to winter breeding grounds off Queensland, and between September and November when they return south.
  • The whales often pass relatively close to the coast, particularly near prominent headlands, and whale watching tourism is increasing.

Some of these species, including whales, some sharks and some seabirds, have very large home ranges that stretch well beyond Marine Park boundaries.

The Park can protect feeding, resting or breeding sites that may be seasonally important for such species and can manage threats to their wellbeing or survival in the park.

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