Marine & Coastal

Darwin and Bynoe Harbour’s – special places to be protected.

“The naturally and culturally rich Harbour is the centerpiece of our Territory lifestyle and is too precious to risk”

The naturally and culturally rich Harbour is the centerpiece of our northern lifestyle. It is a unique tropical estuary 5 times the size of Sydney Harbour and features one of the largest and most diverse mangrove communities in northern Australia . It is home to a diverse wildlife including turtle, dugong, at least 48 species of waterbirds and records of three hundred and forty fish species. The reefs of Darwin Harbour support both soft and hard corals with one hundred and thirteen species recorded. It is this rich natural environment that attracts many tourist visitors.

Heritage sites.
The sea cage fish farm proposed for Darwin Harbour threatens to damage two declared heritage-listed sites: the Ellengowan shipwreck and the Channel Island Reef. The sites are protected under the NT Heritage Conservation Act for their historic, social and ecological values. The proposed sea cage fish farm would sit directly above the Ellengowan shipwreck and would cover approximately 10% of the Channel Island Reef – with impacts likely to extend accross the whole reef.

Bynoe Harbour

“Bynoe Harbour attracts locals and tourists alike due to its natural beauty and pristine state. The area is to be a Marine Park and should not be put at risk”

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