Ningaloo Coast

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic Value – Importance for its contribution to the aesthetic values of the setting demonstrated by having impact on important vistas. Research Value – Importance for information contributing to a wider understanding of natural history by virtue of its use as a research site, teaching site, type locality, reference or benchmark site. Social Value – Importance as a place highly valued by a community or cultural group for reasons of social, cultural, spiritual and education associations. Social Value – Importance in contributing to a community’s sense of place.

Physical Description

Ningaloo Reef is the longest fringing barrier reef in Australia. It extends over 260km.

History

Ningaloo Reef is the longest fringing barrier reef in Australia, forming a discontinuous barrier over approximately 260km and enclosing a lagoon which varies in width from 200m to just over 6m. In the southern section of the area within the Shire of Carnarvon, the reef is closer to the shore and less continuous. The central section near Coral Bay has a wider lagoon and is more continuous. Coral is able to survive close to the shore due to the arid and undeveloped nature of the adjacent land. The necessary clear water conditions exist because of low level of runoff from the adjacent land, resulting in minimal sediment or other pollution. The lagoon between the foreshore and the reef is on average only about 2m – 4m deep but there are drainage channels up to 12m deep. More than 460 species of fish have been identified within the marine park. The area is an important habitat for whales, the whale shark, fish such as marlin and sailfish and marine reptiles. The place is an important feeding area for the whale shark and one of the few places in the world where they are known to congregate regularly in significant numbers. The area is also important for marine mammals. The dugong is prevalent within the area where it feeds on the seagrass beds. Australian sea lions are also sighted. The humpback whale, minke whale, fin whale, blue whale, bottle nosed dolphin and the killer whale are also prevalent within the marine park. The Southern Right Whale has also been spotted on occasion. Many of these animals are classified as vulnerable. Three species of turtle inhabit the area being the endangered loggerhead turtle and vulnerable green and hawksbill turtle with recorded densities extremely high. Manta rays also inhabit the area in high numbers during autumn and winter as it’s an important feeding area. The area also has many historic associations to European exploration and development of the North West of Western Australia. Whaling was also prevalent within the marine park between 1915 and 1965. The Ningaloo Marine Area provides opportunities for scientific research in many different fields relating to aspects of the place’s unique and interesting features. Past, current and ongoing research is being undertaken by academic and research institutions. Areas of research include tourism, marine ecology, whales, turtles, whale sharks, fish and oceanography.

Integrity/Authenticity

High/High

Condition

Good

Creation Date

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