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Australian Marine Parks
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Australia > North-west > Dampier

Dampier Marine Park

  • Research
  • Natural values
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  • Latest maps
  • Scientific papers
Network: North-west
Marine park area: 1,252 kilometres2
Depth range: less than 15 – 70 metres
Average depth: 22 metres
More info about this marine park

Dampier Marine Park is located 40 kilometres from Dampier, just north-east of Cape Lambert. Dampier Marine Park provides protection for offshore shelf habitats adjacent to the Dampier Archipelago, and includes several submerged coral reefs and shoals, including Delambre Reef and Tessa Shoals. It is also important interesting habitat for flatback, hawksbill, loggerhead and green turtles.

Research

These short articles highlight the findings from ongoing scientific research within the Dampier Marine Park, including exciting new discoveries and ideas for future projects.
Pleurosicya mossambica

Cryptic fishes of Australian Marine Parks

Small and/or camouflaged fish species hidden on or near the reef surface are commonly referred to as ‘cryptic’ or ‘cryptobenthic’ fishes. These species are characteristically difficult to see but are diverse and abundant throughout Australian Marine Parks and may play an important role in supporting the larger predatory fish species protected within park boundaries.
Green moon wrasse in Emily Bay lagoon

Extraordinary diversity of shallow reef habitats in Australian Marine Parks

Parks Australia manage 60 Australian Marine Parks, many of which include shallow reefs. These reef habitats are hugely diverse, and include tropical reefs dominated by hard corals; current-swept offshore bommies covered in sea whips, sea fans and soft corals; temperate rocky reefs with sea urchin barrens or low lying colourful seaweeds; and deeper rocky reefs with sessile invertebrates and large black coral trees.
Brittlestars in the Kimberley Marine Park

Observed distribution of 13 marine species in the Marine Parks of the North and North-West

Find out where 13 marine species have been observed in the Marine Parks of the N and NW networks.
RLS diver and Tridacna gigas (giant clam) RLS | Andrew Green

Reef Life Survey Assessment of coral reef biodiversity in the North-west Marine Parks

A re-survey of sites within the North-west Marine Park Network revealed an increase in fish biomass, richness, biomass of larger fishes, coral cover and macro-invertebrate density at Ashmore Reef Marine Park (IUCN Ia). Many of these changes were not recorded at fished reference sites, suggesting the strict sanctuary zoning is having a positive effect.

Natural values

Our marine parks have a number of different values, including natural, cultural, heritage and socio-economic values. The natural values of our marine parks refer to the habitats, species and ecological communities within them, and the processes that support their connectivity, productivity and function. Below are the key datasets that help inform park managers about the natural values that exist within our network of Australian Marine Parks. For more information on other park values refer to the relevant park Management Plans on the Parks Australia website.

Biologically important areas

See where sea lions, sea birds, whales, dolphins and turtles like to breed, forage and nest.

Bioregions

See which areas of Australia's oceans have similar characteristics.
KEF Preview Imange

Key ecological features

See which habitats, features and processes scientists consider particularly important for biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Ramsar Preview Image Ampsatlas

RAMSAR wetlands

See which wetlands of international significance are protected by Australian Marine Parks.

Maps

The information provided by these datasets was integral in the planning and development of our national network of marine parks. Learn in detail about how scientists and marine park planners used these important marine features together to design Australia's network of marine parks, or explore the datasets for the Dampier Marine Park individually through the links below.
Bathomes Preview Imange

Bathomes

See which areas of Marine Parks are of similar depth.
Bathymetry Preview Imange

Bathymetry (250 metre resolution)

Compare how deep the waters are within and between the Australian Marine Parks.
mean primary productivity hotspots

Chlorophyll-a and ocean productivity

See where Australian's oceans are (and aren't) rich in phytoplankton.
Preview Image Geomorph

Geomorphology

Explore the banks, pinnacles, troughs and other features of the seafloor in Australian Marine Parks.

National Offshore Petroleum Titles

Find out where activities to search for and extract petroleum offshore are planned, underway or cancelled.
rates of ocean warming

Sea surface temperature

Check out the typical water temperature in Australian Marine Parks.
Species Richness Preview Image Ampsatlas

Species richness

See where species richness is at its highest and lowest across Australian Marine Parks.
WHA Preview Imange Ampsatlas

World heritage areas

See which areas of Australia's marine environments have been World Heritage listed.

Latest maps

Since the initial planning of the Australian Marine Parks Network in 2012, new mapping data has emerged that allows us to see in finer detail the features that exist within our parks. These datasets help marine managers to understand more about what's under the surface, where there are overlaying management or protection regimes, and/or where pressures on the marine environment may be increasing.

Where have ships mapped the seafloor with sonar?

Find out where the seafloor has been mapped with sonar across the Marine Parks.

Which Marine Parks are exposed to the most tropical cyclone activity?

Examine how exposure to tropical cyclone activity varies across Australian Marine Parks.

Scientific papers

The following publications contain information relevant to the Dampier marine park and adjacent waters. Click on the links to access to the publications.
  • Jones, R. (2016). Corals of the north west of Western Australia: biogeography and considerations for dredging-related research.
  • Rosser, N. L. (2016). Demographic history and asynchronous spawning shape genetic differentiation among populations of the hard coral Acropora tenuis in Western Australia.
  • Blakeway, D, Byers, M, Stoddart, J and Rossendell, J. (2013). Coral colonisation of an artificial reef in a turbid nearshore environment, Dampier Harbour, Western Australia.
  • Energy, Sinclair Knight Merz Consulting & Woodside (2009). Aerial survey of inshore marine megafauna along the Dampier Peninsula : late wet season.
  • Rps, Environment and Planning Pty, Ltd (2009). Marine Megafauna Report, Browse MMFS 2009.
  • Jones, D. S. (2007). he Western Australian Museum/Woodside Energy Ltd. Partnership to explore the marine biodiversity of the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia.
  • Jackson, K. J, Paling, E. I and Stoddart, J. A. (2006). Review of research and data relevant to the marine and terrestrial environment of Dampier.
  • Simpson, C. J. (1985). Mass spawning of scleractinian corals in the Dampier Archipelago and the implications for management of coral reefs in Western Australia.
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