Gifford Marine Park

Summary

Gifford Marine Park is an Australian marine park located 700 km (435 mi) east of Brisbane, Queensland.[1] Part of the Temperate East Marine Park Network, it protects 5,828 km2 (2,250 sq mi) around two flat-topped seamounts, located in the Lord Howe Seamount Chain.[2][3]

Gifford Marine Park seabed and profile

One of the two seamounts, Gifford Guyot, gives its name to the park.[4] The Gifford Marine Park protects the habitat for humpback and sperm whales who may visit the seamounts for feeding, resting and breeding and also for navigation.[2]

The Gifford Marine Park has been designated a Habitat Protection Zone, IUCN Category IV.[5]

See also edit

Gallery edit

Images taken from Nanson et al (2018).[4]

 
Gorgonians, sponges, and Parapercis fish
 
Sediment over consolidated bedform with a Ateleopus sp
 
Sediment veneer over consolidated bedform with shark (possibly Squalus griffini)
 
Sediment & calcareous-conglomerate with crinoid
 
Sediment & limestone outcropping with sea squirt

References edit

  1. ^ "Gifford Marine Park". Marine Biodiversity Hub. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Seafloor bathymetry of the Gifford Marine Park". Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Gifford Marine Park". parksaustralia.gov.au. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b Nanson, Rachel; Carroll, Andrew; Huang, Zhi; Nichol, Scott; Miller, Karen (2 August 2018). "An eco-narrative of Gifford Marine Park – Temperate East marine region" (PDF). Marine Biodiversity Hub. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Temperate East Marine Parks Network Management Plan 2018 Zoning and rules" (PDF). Parks Australia. 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2021.

26°46′S 159°26′E / 26.767°S 159.433°E / -26.767; 159.433