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Australian Marine Parks
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Australia > North > West Cape York

West Cape York Marine Park

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  • Natural values
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Soft coral on Carpentaria Shoal
RLS
Image gallery
Network: North
Marine park area: 16,012 kilometres2
Depth range: less than 15 – 70 metres
Average depth: 32 metres
More info about this marine park

West Cape York Marine Park is located adjacent to the northern end of the Cape York Peninsula, about 25 kilometres south-west of Thursday Island. Like much of the Gulf of Carpentaria, this marine park is relatively shallow. The waters of the marine park receive higher wave energies than other areas in the Gulf, helping to drive primary production and diversity. West Cape York Marine Park covers part of what is believed to be the largest single continuous seagrass meadows in Australia, and is important as a year-round food source for marine turtles and dugong.

Research

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

Acoustic mapping of Carpentaria Shoal and surrounds, West Cape York Marine Park

Acoustic mapping of one of northern Australia’s least studied coral shoals and searching for a shipwreck.
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.

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 West Cape York 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.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Reef Life Survey site locations

See where Reef Life Survey have gathered important data about Australian reefs.

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 West Cape York marine park and adjacent waters. Click on the links to access to the publications.
  • Whytlaw, P. A, Edwards, W and Congdon, B. C. (2013). Marine turtle nest depredation by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) on the Western Cape York Peninsula, Australia: implications for management.
  • Wilcox, C, Hardesty, B. D, Sharples, R, Griffin, D. A, Lawson, T. J and Gunn, R. (2013). Ghostnet impacts on globally threatened turtles, a spatial risk analysis for northern Australia.
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