Dampier Peninsula Fish to rival the Great Barrier Reef
The waters off the Dampier Peninsula stretch 300 kilometres north from Broome to Cape Leveque. These waters support large numbers of baitfish, that in turn attract groups of seabirds and other marine life, such as predatory fishes. In the only fish study done off the Dampier Peninsula, at James Price Point, the diversity and abundance of fish populations was much higher than equivalent latitudes at the Great Barrier Reef. Taking advantage of this abundance of food, seabirds breed on the nearby Lacepede Islands – home to the largest brown booby colonies in Western Australia. Other seabirds also breed in the area, including lesser frigatebirds, bridled terns, roseate terns and common noddies. Extensive seagrass meadows attract turtles, including flatbacks, and dugong to these waters to feed. The largest green turtle nesting habitat in Western Australia is located on the nearby Lacepede Islands. The north west is one of three Australian hotspots for sponge biodiversity, particularly at Quondong Point. Large numbers of humpback whales, as well as other cetaceans such as false killer whales, pygmy blue whales and dolphins, have also been recorded in the waters around Quondong Point. Right: Tasselled wobbegong shark. Photo Andy Murch/ OceanwideImages.com Below: Juvenile chinaman fish. Photo Eric Matson
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