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Rowley Shoals

The Rowley Shoals are a chain of three isolated coral atolls situated approximately 300 kilometres west of Broome, Western Australia, at the edge of the Australian continental shelf in the eastern Indian Ocean.^[1] Comprising Clerke Reef, Imperieuse Reef, and the smaller Mermaid Reef, each atoll spans about 80–90 square kilometres and rises dramatically from surrounding depths of 230 to 440 metres, enclosing shallow lagoons accessible via navigable channels.^[2] These formations, remnants of ancient reef systems influenced by the Leeuwin Current, support exceptionally clear waters with visibility often exceeding 30 metres, making them one of the world's least disturbed coral ecosystems.^[2] Ecologically, the Rowley Shoals host remarkable biodiversity, including over 233 species of hard and soft corals that form vibrant gardens, alongside 688 recorded fish species, many of which are regionally unique or endemic.^[2] Notable marine life includes large aggregations of potato cod, humphead Maori wrasse, green and hawksbill turtles, and giant clams, while the atolls serve as important breeding sites for seabirds such as red-tailed tropicbirds on Bedwell Island within Clerke Reef.^[2] The reefs' position at the convergence of Indo-West Pacific and temperate waters via the Leeuwin Current fosters high species diversity, with habitats ranging from intertidal zones to deep drop-offs teeming with pelagic species like mackerel and tuna.^[2] This pristine environment contrasts with more impacted reefs elsewhere, underscoring its global significance for marine conservation.^[2] Protected since the establishment of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park in 1990 (covering Clerke and Imperieuse Reefs) and the adjacent Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve in 1991, the area is jointly managed by Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Commonwealth's Parks Australia.^[3]^[4] Conservation efforts emphasize no-anchor zones, public moorings to prevent coral damage, and strict regulations on fishing and tourism to preserve the reefs' integrity amid challenges like climate change and ocean acidification; recent marine heatwaves have caused coral bleaching, as observed in 2024–2025.^[3]^[5] Human access is limited to licensed charter vessels or private boats during the optimal dry season from September to December, when strong tidal ranges of 4–5 metres create dynamic but navigable conditions for diving and snorkeling.^[1] The atolls were first charted in 1800 by Captain Josias Rowley aboard HMS Imperieuse, with the collective name bestowed in 1818 by Captain Phillip Parker King during his surveys, honoring Captain Josias Rowley.^[6] Early European encounters included shipwrecks, such as the whaler Lively in 1810, but the remote location delayed extensive exploration until modern scientific surveys in the 20th century revealed their unparalleled biodiversity.^[7] Today, the Rowley Shoals stand as a testament to Australia's commitment to safeguarding oceanic heritage, attracting researchers and eco-tourists while remaining largely untouched.^[2]

History and Naming

Naming

The Rowley Shoals were named in 1818 by British naval officer Captain Phillip Parker King during his survey of Australian waters, in honor of Captain Josias Rowley, who had first sighted the westernmost reef aboard HMS Imperieuse in 1800.^[8] King documented the group's position and hazards in his voyage narrative, emphasizing their remote and treacherous nature.^[8] King assigned individual names to the three atoll-like reefs based on his exploration and prior reports. The northern reef became Mermaid Reef, named after King's survey vessel HMS Mermaid.^[9] The central reef was designated Clerke Reef, after Captain Clerke of a whaling vessel who had reported its existence sometime between 1800 and 1809.^[9] The southern reef retained the name Imperieuse Reef, commemorating Rowley's ship.^[10] Indonesian trepang (sea cucumber) fishermen, who visited the area from at least the mid-18th century, referred to the shoals collectively as Pulau Bawa Angin, meaning "island bringing wind."^[11] They used specific local names for the reefs: Pulau Manjariti for Mermaid Reef, Pulau Tengah ("middle island") for Clerke Reef, and Pulau Matsohor for Imperieuse Reef.^[11]

Early Exploration and Indigenous Use

The Rowley Shoals were visited by Indonesian fishermen, primarily Makassan trepangers from Sulawesi, from at least the mid-18th century, predating European contact. These seafarers traveled in prahu boats, navigating with the aid of the northwest monsoon winds for outbound voyages and southeast trades for returns, relying on traditional knowledge of currents, stars, and coastal landmarks to reach remote atolls like the Rowley Shoals. Archaeological evidence, including pottery shards and tamarind trees introduced for processing sites, supports their presence along the Kimberley coast extending to these reefs.^[12]^[13] Their primary activity was harvesting trepang (sea cucumbers) for the lucrative Chinese market, with processing camps established on nearby shores where the catch was boiled, smoked, and dried. Additional resources gathered included turtle shells, trochus shells for buttons, and shark fins, often through seasonal expeditions involving crews negotiating access with local Indigenous groups via trade in goods like tobacco and metal tools. These interactions fostered cultural exchanges, including shared maritime techniques and stories, though direct evidence of Aboriginal-Makassan contact at the Rowley Shoals themselves remains limited compared to mainland Arnhem Land sites. The practice continued until 1907, when Australian authorities banned foreign trepanging to protect local interests.^[14]^[15]^[12] European exploration began in 1800 when Captain Josias Rowley, commanding HMS Imperieuse, sighted Imperieuse Reef, the southernmost of the group, from which it later took its name after his vessel. This brief encounter marked the first recorded European observation, though no landing or survey occurred due to navigational hazards. In 1818, Captain Phillip Parker King, aboard HMS Mermaid, conducted the first detailed hydrographic survey of the group during his broader mapping of Australia's northwest coast. King named the shoals after Rowley and individually designated Mermaid Reef for his ship, Clerke Reef for Captain Clerke of a whaler, and confirmed the perilous coral structures through soundings and visual examinations, noting depths exceeding 170 fathoms amid breaking surf. His accounts provided the foundational charts for future mariners, with no observations of Indigenous or prior non-European activity at the site.^[6]^[8]^[8]

Geography

Location and Extent

The Rowley Shoals are a group of three atoll-like coral reefs situated in the southeastern Indian Ocean, centered at approximately 17°20′S 119°20′E and lying about 300 km (186 mi; 160 nautical miles) west-northwest of Broome in Western Australia.^[16]^[1] The reefs, known as Mermaid, Clerke, and Imperieuse, form an isolated chain aligned in a southwest-to-northeast orientation along the outer edge of the northwestern Australian continental shelf.^[13] These reefs are separated from one another by distances ranging from 20 to 50 km, with Mermaid Reef positioned northeast, Clerke Reef in the middle approximately 23 to 30 km southwest of Mermaid, and Imperieuse Reef farthest southwest, about 35 to 40 km from Clerke.^[13]^[17] Each individual reef encloses a shallow lagoon and covers an area of 80 to 90 km², contributing to the overall spatial footprint of the shoals group, which extends roughly along a 100 km axis parallel to the shelf edge.^[10] Positioned south of the Timor Sea, the Rowley Shoals are integrated into the broader Argo-Rowley Terrace Marine Park, a vast protected area spanning 146,003 km² offshore Western Australia. The reefs exhibit a steep rise from the surrounding ocean floor, where depths range from 230 to 440 m, marking a distinct transition from the deeper terrace environment.^[18]^[19]^[10]

Physical Structure

The Rowley Shoals consist of three elliptical, shelf-edge atolls—Mermaid, Clerke, and Imperieuse Reefs—aligned in a southwest-to-northeast chain approximately 30–40 km apart, situated about 300 km west of Broome on the continental shelf. These atolls feature negligible land areas, with only small, unvegetated sand cays present: Bedwell Island (1.3 km long) on Clerke Reef and Cunningham Island on Imperieuse Reef, while Mermaid Reef has no permanent emergent land, only temporary sandbanks exposed at low tide. Each atoll encloses a shallow lagoon rich in coral structures, covering 80–90 km², with maximum depths reaching up to 20 m at Mermaid Reef and shallower basins (around 10 m) at Clerke and Imperieuse Reefs.^[3]^[13]^[10] The reef rims are narrow and annular, forming a continuous barrier that exposes a reef-flat at low tide, with the structures rising abruptly from surrounding abyssal depths on a submerged platform known as the Scott Reef/Rowley Shoals Platform. Outer slopes drop steeply, with Mermaid Reef ascending from approximately 440 m, Clerke from 390 m, and Imperieuse from 230 m, creating near-vertical walls that transition to the deep ocean floor. Narrow passages, primarily on the eastern sides, connect the lagoons to the open sea—such as a single 60 m-wide channel at Mermaid Reef and multiple restricted openings at the others—facilitating tidal exchange and water renewal within the lagoons.^[3]^[13]^[10] Oceanographically, the Rowley Shoals are influenced by the warm Leeuwin Current and Indonesian Throughflow, which deliver tropical waters from the Pacific via the Indonesian Archipelago, maintaining elevated sea surface temperatures ranging from 24°C in winter to 30°C in autumn with minimal seasonal variation. These currents contribute to low nutrient levels and high water clarity, with visibility often exceeding 30 m due to the influx of clear oceanic water and reduced turbidity. The region experiences a significant tidal range of up to 5 m, though this is attenuated within the lagoons, supporting dynamic water circulation across the platform.^[3]^[13]^[10]

Geology

Formation

The Rowley Shoals represent remnants of an extensive Miocene barrier reef system that developed approximately 16 million years ago during the Middle Miocene Climate Optimum, a period characterized by stable sea levels and warm tropical climates conducive to prolific coral growth.^[20] Initial reef structures in the region emerged around 17 million years ago as isolated, small mound-shaped features, which rapidly evolved into a continuous barrier reef spanning over 2000 kilometers along the northwestern Australian margin by the mid-Miocene.^[20] This barrier system formed the foundational carbonate platform known as the Rowley Terrace, a submerged feature in the Indian Ocean where tectonic stability allowed for the accumulation of thick reef deposits.^[21] Coral growth during the Miocene epoch was significantly influenced by regional tectonic quiescence, which minimized disruption to reef building, and by nutrient-rich waters supplied by the proto-Leeuwin Current, enhancing productivity and supporting diverse coral assemblages.^[20] The reefs initially developed as isolated, small mound-shaped features, which rapidly coalesced and expanded laterally to form the barrier morphology characteristic of the era.^[20] These processes created a robust carbonate framework that persisted through subsequent environmental shifts, including a major drowning event in the Late Miocene around 10 million years ago.^[20]

Tectonic Evolution

The tectonic evolution of the Rowley Shoals is characterized by progressive subsidence and drowning events that transformed an extensive Miocene barrier reef system into isolated atolls. Originating as part of a precursor Miocene reef complex around 17–16 million years ago, the system experienced initial growth on structural highs before undergoing significant backstepping and partial drowning during the late Miocene, approximately 10 million years ago. This primary drowning event resulted from tectonic subsidence of the underlying Rowley Terrace, a subsiding marginal shelf on the North West Shelf of Australia, which outpaced reef accretion rates and led to the isolation of the three modern shoals as submerged mounds.^[22]^[23] A subsequent phase of evolution involved the development of four isolated atolls during the early Pliocene, around 4.6 million years ago, facilitated by localized reef expansion amid ongoing subsidence. However, one of these shoals, now fully submerged, drowned approximately 2.4 million years ago during Pleistocene sea-level fluctuations, exacerbated by regional cooling, enhanced upwelling, and constriction of the Indonesian Throughflow. This event marked the final reduction to the three extant Rowley Shoals, with the drowned feature serving as evidence of differential subsidence across the terrace. The broader tectonic context includes the northward movement of the Indo-Australian Plate, which has driven gradual deepening of the North West Shelf margin through transcurrent reactivation and associated faulting, contributing to the long-term isolation and subsidence of the shoals at rates influenced by plate-scale dynamics.^[22]^[24] Recent seismic analyses, including high-resolution multichannel data from expeditions such as R/V Sonne 257, have confirmed these subsidence patterns, estimating rates that align with the Miocene-Pliocene drowning timeline and highlighting the role of eustatic and climatic factors in modulating tectonic influences. These findings underscore the Rowley Shoals as remnants of a once-vast 2000 km barrier reef, shaped by the interplay of subsidence on the Rowley Terrace and plate motion.^[22]

Ecology and Biodiversity

Marine Habitats

The Rowley Shoals feature a variety of marine habitats shaped by their atoll-like structure and position in clear, oceanic waters influenced by regional currents. These environments include shallow lagoons, steep outer reef slopes, and dynamic zones affected by water flow, supporting distinct ecological niches across the three main reefs: Clerke, Imperieuse, and Mermaid.^[25]^[3] Lagoon habitats within the Rowley Shoals are shallow, enclosed basins that vary in depth and complexity among the reefs, providing protected areas for sediment accumulation and coral development. At Clerke Reef, the lagoon reaches a maximum depth of 10 meters and is divided into three basins connected by narrow passages, featuring coral pinnacles and staghorn formations amid limited water exchange.^[3] Imperieuse Reef's lagoon is similarly shallow and complex, with a large central basin filling with sand and scattered patch reefs, accessible via a single narrow northeastern passage that restricts circulation.^[3] In contrast, Mermaid Reef hosts a larger, deeper lagoon up to 20 meters, enclosed by an outer reef rim with a 60-meter-wide navigable passage lined by living corals, including rubble mounds topped by diverse coral communities, particularly in the southern sector.^[11]^[3] These lagoons support filter-feeding organisms through their calm, sediment-rich conditions and patchy reef structures.^[11] The outer reef slopes of the Rowley Shoals form steep drop-offs rising from depths of 300 to 700 meters, transitioning from coral-dominated upper zones to algal ridges and soft sediment bases at greater depths. These slopes experience strong wave action and a wide tidal range of up to 4.5 meters, fostering zoned communities of hard corals, gorgonians, and soft corals along the lower ridges, with clear water allowing light penetration over extensive vertical ranges.^[11]^[3] At depths of 200 to 400 meters, the slopes give way to soft sediments, creating a base habitat distinct from the upper reef frameworks.^[26]^[27] Current-influenced zones at the Rowley Shoals are primarily shaped by the Leeuwin Current, a warm tropical flow originating from the Indonesian Archipelago that transports larvae and plankton southward, enhancing connectivity and introducing tropical species to temperate regions.^[3] This current maintains water temperatures between 25°C in winter and 29–30°C in early autumn, promoting high clarity while occasionally generating eddies that induce localized upwelling and nutrient enrichment, fostering plankton-rich areas around the reefs.^[11]^[28] Microhabitats within the Rowley Shoals add structural diversity, including caves and overhangs on the slopes, isolated coral bommies rising from lagoon floors, and expansive sand flats interspersed with patch reefs.^[1] These features vary by reef, with Clerke Reef's shallower lagoons hosting more prominent bommies and sand flats compared to the deeper, more uniform basin at Mermaid Reef.^[3]

Flora and Fauna

The Rowley Shoals host an exceptionally rich marine biodiversity, making it a significant hotspot for Indo-West Pacific coral reef ecosystems.^[10] This diversity is supported by the atolls' clear oceanic waters and varied reef structures, which foster unique assemblages of marine life. Scleractinian corals dominate the benthic communities, while diverse fish and invertebrate populations thrive in the lagoons, slopes, and outer reefs. Coral diversity is particularly notable, with over 233 species of hard and soft corals recorded.^[10] Prominent genera include table-forming Acropora species, such as Acropora abrolhosensis, Acropora humilis, and Acropora carduus, which form branching forests on reef fronts and exhibit high endemism on the outer slopes.^[29] Massive Porites corals, like Porites cylindrica and Porites lobata, are common on intertidal flats and deeper slopes, contributing to the structural complexity of the reefs.^[29] Fish populations are equally diverse, encompassing 688 species that inhabit the reefs and surrounding pelagic waters.^[10] Characteristic reef dwellers include the bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), a large herbivore vital for algal control, and whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), which patrol the slopes.^[30]^[29] Pelagic species such as mackerel (Grammatorcynus bilineatus) frequent the deeper offshore areas, adding to the dynamic fish assemblages.^[29] An endemic highlight is the Western Australian sculpin (Psychrolutes occidentalis), a deep-sea benthic fish known only from the continental slopes around the shoals.^[31] Invertebrate communities feature iconic species like giant clams of the genus Tridacna, including Tridacna spp. and Hippopus hippopus, which anchor to reef substrates in sunlit areas.^[29] Sea cucumbers (holothurians) are abundant in lagoon sediments, while trochus shells (Tectus niloticus) occur on reef flats, though populations show variability due to natural factors.^[29] These invertebrates underpin the trophic web of the shoals.^[29] Other notable fauna include sea turtles, with green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles frequently sighted foraging on the reefs.^[32] Dolphins, such as bottlenose (Tursiops spp.) and spinner (Stenella longirostris), patrol the deeper waters around the atolls.^[33] Migratory humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) pass through during their annual migrations, occasionally approaching the shoals.^[34] As oceanic atolls, the Rowley Shoals lack terrestrial flora or fauna, with all biodiversity confined to marine environments.^[32]

Conservation and Management

Protected Areas

The Rowley Shoals are encompassed within the Argo-Rowley Terrace Marine Park, a Commonwealth marine protected area established on 1 July 2018 as part of Australia's National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA), covering 146,003 km² in the North-west Marine Parks Network.^[18] This park integrates the Rowley Shoals into a broader framework for conserving ancient undersea features such as canyons and plateaus, with overall zoning assigned to IUCN Category VI (multiple-use protected area).^[18] Complementing this, the state-level Rowley Shoals Marine Park, gazetted in 1990 and extended in 2004 to include Clerke and Imperieuse Reefs, spans approximately 876 km² and is classified as IUCN Category II (national park).^[3] Mermaid Reef, the third reef in the group, forms the Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve, proclaimed in 1991 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act and reproclaimed in 2013 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, designated as IUCN Category Ia (strict nature reserve).^[13] Heritage protections further underscore the significance of the Rowley Shoals. Mermaid Reef was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004, recognized for its outstanding natural values under criteria A (important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places), B (possessing uncommon, rare, or endangered aspects), C (exemplifying aesthetic characteristics), and D (demonstrating creative or technical achievements).^[35] All three reefs—Mermaid, Clerke, and Imperieuse—were previously registered on the former Register of the National Estate, with entries dating to 1997, highlighting their national environmental importance prior to the register's closure in 2003 and the transition of eligible places to the Commonwealth Heritage List.^[11] Zoning within these protected areas emphasizes conservation, particularly in core zones. The Mermaid Reef reserve is entirely a no-take National Park Zone under IUCN Category Ia, prohibiting extractive activities to maintain its pristine condition.^[13] In the Rowley Shoals Marine Park, no-take zones, including sanctuary and recreation areas, cover approximately 30% of the total area, balancing protection with limited non-extractive access such as snorkeling.^[36] The Argo-Rowley Terrace Marine Park incorporates these reefs within zones such as National Park (IUCN II) and Multiple Use (IUCN VI), ensuring integrated management across jurisdictional boundaries.^[37] Management of the Rowley Shoals protected areas is a collaborative effort between federal and state authorities. Parks Australia oversees the Commonwealth components, including the Argo-Rowley Terrace Marine Park and Mermaid Reef reserve, implementing the North-west Marine Parks Network Management Plan 2019–2029 to monitor and enforce regulations.^[38] The Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) manages the Rowley Shoals Marine Park under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, with joint coordination to address overlapping waters and shared conservation goals.^[3] These measures protect the area's high species richness and productivity, which justify its status as a key ecological feature under the NRSMPA.^[35]

Threats and Challenges

The Rowley Shoals are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with rising sea temperatures driving recurrent coral bleaching events that stress the reef ecosystem. The first documented bleaching occurred in 2005, affecting less than 20% of coral cover and marking the initial impact on this remote system.^[39] In 2020, bleaching affected 1–30% of corals overall, with levels reaching up to 60% at sites on Clerke Reef, highlighting the shoals' exposure to prolonged marine heatwaves. Ocean acidification, resulting from elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, compounds these effects by reducing coral calcification rates and impairing reef-building processes. The most severe event recorded to date unfolded in 2025, with post-heatwave surveys revealing 61–90% mortality across monitoring sites on Mermaid and Clerke Reefs, affecting all habitats from lagoons to deep slopes and surpassing prior incidents in scale and intensity.^[39]^[40]^[41]^[42]^[43] Beyond climate drivers, anthropogenic pressures pose additional risks to the shoals' biodiversity. Illegal fishing, primarily by foreign vessels, has been documented repeatedly, leading to localized declines in invertebrate populations such as sea cucumbers and disrupting food webs. Potential oil and gas exploration in the underlying Rowley Sub-basin of the Canning Basin threatens the area through risks of spills, seismic noise, and habitat disruption, with proposals as recent as 2021 drawing criticism for endangering this pristine ecosystem. Biological threats like crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, while not yet widespread at the shoals, are actively monitored due to their devastating potential observed elsewhere in Western Australian waters, where they can consume up to 90% of live coral in affected areas. Marine debris, including plastics, accumulates via ocean currents and entangles or ingests marine life, adding to cumulative stressor loads in coastal and offshore zones around the shoals.^[44]^[45]^[46]^[47]^[48]^[49] Post-2020 research underscores the urgency of addressing these threats, with studies modeling vulnerability to sea-level rise, heat stress, and acidification indicating high exposure for low-lying reef islands like those at the shoals. A 2023 Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) assessment, building on earlier data, evaluated recovery trajectories from prior bleachings, noting partial resilience in coral communities but persistent gaps in regeneration for heat-susceptible species. The 2025 AIMS report on the latest event further documents slowed recovery rates, with ongoing degradation projected without emission reductions. Long-term monitoring programs, led by AIMS since the early 2000s, track bleaching impacts, species shifts, and ecosystem health across the shoals, revealing adaptation potential through natural selection for heat-tolerant corals while emphasizing the need to minimize local stressors like pollution. These efforts, supported by the protected status of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park, inform targeted strategies to bolster resilience amid escalating global pressures.^[50]^[51]^[52]^[51]

Human Activities

Tourism and Recreation

Tourism at the Rowley Shoals primarily occurs through charter boats and liveaboard vessels departing from Broome, with organized expeditions beginning in 1977 following the opening of portions of the area to visitors. These trips typically span 6 to 7 days, covering the approximately 260-kilometer journey to the atolls and allowing extended exploration of the remote reefs. Costs range from AUD 4,300 to 5,600 per person, varying by vessel type and accommodation level, making access exclusive to those seeking high-end marine adventures.^[53]^[54]^[55] Key activities focus on scuba diving, snorkeling, and underwater photography, highlighting the area's exceptional coral gardens and marine biodiversity that draws enthusiasts to sites like the Amphitheatre at Mermaid Reef. This world-class dive spot features dramatic swim-throughs, overhangs, and vibrant ecosystems teeming with fish and corals, offering drift dives amid strong tidal currents. The peak season aligns with the optimal dry period from September to December, when calm weather and visibility exceeding 30 meters enhance safety and enjoyment for participants.^[10]^[56]^[57] Annually, the Rowley Shoals welcome around a few hundred visitors, mostly via licensed commercial operators.^[17] In 2025, a severe coral bleaching event led to widespread mortality, resulting in estimated millions in losses for tour operators and potential impacts on future visitation (as of November 2025).^[58]^[5] Strict regulations govern access to minimize environmental impact, including mandatory permits for commercial tourism and a prohibition on anchoring in sensitive areas to prevent damage to coral formations; instead, visitors must utilize designated moorings.^[38]

Commercial and Traditional Uses

The Rowley Shoals have long been subject to resource extraction, beginning with the historical trepang (sea cucumber) trade initiated by Makassan trepangers from Sulawesi, Indonesia, in the mid-18th century and peaking during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.^[11] These fishermen harvested trepang, along with turtle shell, trochus shell, and shark fins, for export to Chinese markets, marking the region's earliest documented commercial marine activity.^[59] This trade declined sharply after 1907 due to Australian government restrictions on foreign vessels, transitioning the area toward regulated domestic uses by the mid-20th century.^[11] In contemporary management, commercial fishing is prohibited within the Rowley Shoals Marine Park under Western Australian regulations, including Fishing Notice No. 239, to preserve ecological integrity.^[3] However, limited demersal scalefish trawling for finfish occurs in surrounding offshore waters as part of the Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, governed by individual transferable effort quotas introduced in the 2000 management plan to promote sustainability and prevent overexploitation.^[60] Shark finning, the practice of removing fins and discarding shark carcasses at sea, has been nationally banned in Australian Commonwealth waters since 2000, with enforcement applying to the Rowley Shoals region to protect shark populations.^[61] Historical Makassan visits represent early non-Indigenous use, while traditional Indigenous Australian activities at the Shoals remain undocumented in management records, though native title frameworks recognize Aboriginal traditional owners in the broader North-west Marine Parks Network.^[35] Scientific research, including biodiversity surveys, is permitted via dedicated licenses issued by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, supporting ongoing ecological monitoring without extractive intent.^[3] Mining and oil extraction are strictly prohibited within park boundaries under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, though exploratory activities occur in adjacent areas subject to environmental assessments.^[11] This evolution from unregulated historical harvesting to quota-based, protected status post-1990s reflects a broader shift toward sustainable resource management in Australian marine parks.^[62]

References

[1]
[PDF] Rowley Shoals and Mermaid Reef marine parks fact sheet
Together the parks protect a chain of three coral atolls Clerke Reef, Mermaid Reef, and Imperieuse Reef, at the edge of Australia's continental shelf. Mermaid ...
[2]
[PDF] Fact Sheet: Rowley Shoals - Marine Waters
Summary Rowley Shoals is a coral garden of Eden, with shelf atolls, coral gardens and giant clams famed as pristine and surpassing some of Australia's better ...
[3]
[PDF] Rowley Shoals Marine Park Management Plan
The Rowley Shoals Marine Park is characterised by spectacular intertidal and subtidal coral reefs, exceptionally rich and diverse marine fauna and high water ...
[4]
[PDF] Great Southern Land: The maritime exploration of Terra by Michael ...
... Rowley Shoals, discovered in 1800 by Captain. Josias Rowley in HMS Imperieuse, and added Clerke Shoal and. Mermaids Reef to the map as part of the same group ...
[5]
Voyages of Grand Discovery - Timeline - 1800's
Britain. 1810. Wreck of the British South Seas whaler believed to be the Lively (formerly the French prize Abeille) at Rowley Shoals. Marked on Phillip Parker ...
[6]
Narrative of a Survey Volume 1 - Project Gutenberg Australia
These dangerous reefs were named Rowley's Shoals, in compliment to the discoverer of the westernmost (the Imperieuse), the situation of which is assigned by me ...
[7]
[PDF] Rowley Shoals Marine Park - DBCA Library
He gave the middle shoal the name Clerke Reef after Captain Clerke, who had reported it from a whaler sometime between 1800 and 1809. The south-western shoal ...
[8]
Fact Sheet: Rowley Shoals - Marine Waters
Named by Captain Phillip Arthur King in 1818, Mermaid Reef bears the ship's name and whilst the smallest and most northern, the atoll rises from a depth of ...
[9]
[PDF] Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve
the middle reef he named Clerke after the captain of a whaling ... There have been no specific studies of the marine algae of. Mermaid Reef or of the other Rowley ...
[10]
[PDF] Aboriginal–Makassan interactions in the eighteenth and nineteenth ...
Indonesian fishers; he ascertained that the Makassan trade had extended as far as Rowley Shoals. Morwood and Hobbs (1997:198–9), reporting on recent ...
[11]
[PDF] Mermaide reef marine national nature reserve
The reef is located near the edge of the continental shelf and is surrounded by oceanic waters that extend to a depth of over 500 metres.
[12]
[PDF] 'The Malay Road': Evolution in Connectivity and the Range of Products
Aug 30, 2021 · Rowley Shoals fishing for trepang and trochus. Each crewmember was entitled to catch and dry one fish per day: 'large eels were the most ...
[13]
The sea cucumber: Australia's oldest export - Australian Geographic
Jun 2, 2025 · ... shark fins, pearl shells, shark meat, turtle shells and trochus (sea snails). When the winds changed, they would sail home with their catch ...Missing: Rowley Shoals
[14]
127 I and Δ 14 C records in a modern coral from Rowley Shoals off ...
at a water depth of ∼2–3 m in Rowley Shoals (17°20′S, 119°20′E) in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean, ∼300 km off the coast of northwestern Australia (Fig.
[15]
None
Summary of each segment:
[16]
The pristine reefs of the Rowley Shoals - Oceanographic Magazine
They were first charted in 1818 by Captain Phillip Parker King of the British Royal Navy. ... He named the three atolls after Captain Rowley who'd visited ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[17]
Argo-Rowley Terrace Marine Park | Parks Australia
Argo-Rowley Terrace Marine Park is the largest park in the north-west. The undersea canyons in the Marine Park are up to 50 million years old.
[18]
Mermaid Reef Marine Park
It covers 540 square kilometres, with depths from less than 15 metres to 500 metres with an average depth of 303 meters. The park is a National Park zone.
[19]
The Rowley Shoals atolls: Remnants of a Miocene great barrier reef ...
Early Pliocene reef expansion (∼4.6 Ma) led to the growth of four isolated atolls (the Rowley Shoals) related to local faulting and Early Pliocene warmth.
[20]
Geology of the Scott Plateau and Rowley Terrace, off northwestern ...
The Scott Plateau and the adjacent Rowley Terrace occupy an area of about 160 000 km2 in water depths ranging from 300 to 3500 m off Australia's Northwest ...Missing: Shoals | Show results with:Shoals
[21]
https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/api/records/a05f7892-fd9d-7506-e044-00144fdd4fa6
[22]
A precursor extensive Miocene reef system to the Rowley Shoals ...
Oct 5, 2025 · Numerous Miocene reefs and related carbonate build-ups have been identified in the Rowley Shoals region of the central North West Shelf, ...
[23]
Transcurrent reactivation of Australia's western passive margin: An ...
Mar 30, 2016 · The Indo-Australian plate is migrating northward along an azimuth of ... This observation suggests that the Quaternary subsidence of Rowley Shoals ...
[24]
[PDF] 1. The current state of the Rowley Shoals
• Three shoals (Imperieuse, Clerke and Mermaid). • Status (fished and unfished). • Three habitats (lagoon, slope, mesophotic). • Year (2004, 2013 and 2018) ...
[25]
A Guide To Rowley Shoals Marine Park - Ocean Dream Charters
Mermaid Reef is located on the north-eastern end of Rowley Shoals and features an extensive lagoon enclosed with coral. Mermaid Reef is characterised by a steep ...Missing: coordinates extent
[26]
Remote Rowley Shoals a Divers Paradise - Divernet
Nov 1, 2021 · The Rowley Shoals is one of Australia's most remote dive locations, and with one of the shortest dive seasons in the world, fewer than 200 people dive this ...<|separator|>
[27]
Chlorophyll Traces Currents off Australia's Northwest Coast
Oct 2, 2014 · Rowley Shoals, visible in the still images, are very productive ... Plankton thrive in Australia's Leeuwin Current during the fall and ...Missing: upwelling | Show results with:upwelling
[28]
[PDF] Marine Biodiversity Survey of Mermaid Reef (Rowley Shoals), Scott ...
... Location of station sites and transect data for. Mermaid (Rowley Shoals), Scott and Seringapatam. Reefs can be found in Figure 1 and Table 2; Figure 2 and ...Missing: extent | Show results with:extent<|control11|><|separator|>
[29]
Threatened fish species thrive at Rowley Shoals | AIMS
Apr 8, 2021 · Globally threatened humphead maori wrasse and bumphead parrotfish are “thriving in abundance” in Western Australia's Rowley Shoals.
[30]
Psychrolutes occidentalis, Western Australian sculpin - FishBase
Eastern Indian Ocean: known only around Rowley Shoals, Western Australia. Size / Weight / Age. Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm. Max length : 11.1 cm SL male ...Missing: endemic | Show results with:endemic
[31]
https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Psychrolutes-occidentalis
[32]
[PDF] Rowley Shoals and Mermaid Reef marine parks visitor guide
The Rowley Shoals are located approximately 300km (160 nautical ... Moorings are located on the outer edge of Imperieuse and Clerke Reefs and inside Clerke and ...Missing: coordinates | Show results with:coordinates
[33]
Rowley Shoals Marine Park | Australia's North West
Wildlife. Imagine seeing a humpback whale breach, turtles nest, snubfin dolphins and incredible bird species…
[34]
Values of the North-west Marine Parks Network
The Marine Park covers an area of 146,003 km2 and water depths between 220 m and 6000 m.Missing: size | Show results with:size
[35]
[PDF] analysis of public submissions to the rowley shoals marine park draft ...
A total of 30 public submissions (25 letters, three online forms and two emails) on the draft plan were received. All submissions were summarised and the issues ...Missing: Register | Show results with:Register
[36]
[PDF] Argo-Rowley Terrace Commonwealth Marine Reserve - DCCEEW
Marine National Park Zone (IUCN II). Habitat Protection Zone (IUCN IV). Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI). Other marine protected areas. Rowley Shoals Marine Park (WA).
[37]
[PDF] Rowley Shoals Marine Park and Mermaid Reef Marine Park
The Rowley. Shoals Marine Park includes Clerke and Imperieuse reefs, both of which have permanent islands above the high-water mark called Bedwell and ...
[38]
Coral bleaching events | AIMS
Heat stress in 2005 caused moderate (less than 20% of cover cover) bleaching at the iconic Rowley Shoals, the first recorded bleaching of this reef system. 2001 ...
[39]
Coral bleaching detected off Kimberley coast
Data obtained revealed that bleaching was variable across the Rowley Shoals, with estimates ranging between one and 30 percent of the corals bleached. One site ...
[40]
Worst bleaching event on record for WA coral reefs following long ...
Aug 12, 2025 · Bleaching impacts affected all habitats, from the sheltered lagoon to the deep (30m) outer reef slope. At inshore southern Kimberley reefs, AIMS ...
[41]
https://www.aims.gov.au/information-centre/news-and-stories/worst-bleaching-event-record-wa-coral-reefs-following-long-lasting-and-widespread-marine-heatwave
[42]
Coral Reefs Under Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
Aug 6, 2025 · Carbon emissions in an industrialized world have created two problems for coral reefs: climate change and ocean acidification.
[43]
Concerns grow over environmental impact of illegal fishing on reefs ...
Oct 31, 2023 · A senior marine science researcher says a decline in sea cucumber numbers on the Rowley Shoals in northern WA is concerning for global conservation efforts.
[44]
'Reckless' plan to search for oil and gas will put one of world's ...
Dec 23, 2021 · The area is a biodiversity hotspot, with 96 different protected marine species living or migrating through the area, including 25 species of ...
[45]
[PDF] rowley shoals marine reserves monitoring program - DBCA Library
Oct 5, 2001 · FREQUENCY RATING: !!!! OBJECTIVE. To monitor the presence or absence of crown of thorns starfish on coral reefs in Western Australia.
[46]
Crown of Thorns Starfish - Great Barrier Reef Foundation
During an outbreak, which is when 15 or more COTS are found in a one hectare area, the starfish can strip a reef of 90% of its living coral tissue. Natural ...
[47]
Plastics: An Additional Threat for Coral Ecosystems | Request PDF
Plastic marine debris represents a global threat for the marine environment ... (Rowley Shoals and Scott Reef) off Northwest Australia. Results Grey ...
[48]
Exposure of marine megafauna to cumulative anthropogenic threats ...
Four to six threats categories overlapped in shallow coastal areas and around Rowley Shoals and Scott Reef, whereas most of the offshore waters (> 200 m ...
[49]
Risk classification of low-lying coral reef islands and their exposure ...
Feb 20, 2024 · These islands exist across a broad range of bio-physical conditions, and vulnerabilities to rising and warming seas, ocean acidification and ...
[50]
Monitoring Western Australia's reefs | AIMS
AIMS has been studying the Scott Reef and Rowley Shoals systems for over 20 years, providing valuable knowledge about their plants and animals.
[51]
https://www.aims.gov.au/research-topics/monitoring-and-discovery/monitoring-western-australias-reefs
[52]
6 Day Rowley Shoals Cruise - Diversity Charters
BROOME TO BROOME | DEPARTS OCT-NOV 2025, 2026 & 2027. An unforgettable experience featuring stunning diving & snorkelling in the world-famous Rowley Shoals.
[53]
Rowley Shoals Cruises 2024 & 2025 - Great Escape Cruises
The Rowley Shoals is made up of three coral atolls. They extend from the seabed to the surface. They vary in size, but the total area is roughly 90 square miles ...
[54]
Diving The Rowley Shoals With The Great Escape
Aug 5, 2023 · Clerke Reef is named from Captain Clerke who first reported it; Imperieuse Reef is named from the name of Captain Rowley's ship, HMS Imperieuse.
[55]
Unparalleled underwater adventures at the Rowley Shoals Marine ...
May 17, 2022 · Home to 233 species of coral and 688 different types of fish, the Rowley Shoals is marine nirvana among divers and snorkellers.
[56]
Best Time to Visit Rowley Shoals - True North Adventure Cruises
Mar 5, 2024 · These vibrant ecosystems are home to over 200 species of coral and 600 species of fish, from the tiniest, most delicate nudibranchs to majestic ...Missing: count | Show results with:count
[57]
Hansard Daily: Legislative Council - Tuesday, August 19 2025
Aug 19, 2025 · The Kimberley Marine Tourism Association estimates that losses for the Rowley Shoals operators could run in the millions. It is not just those ...
[58]
The History of Makassan Trepang Fishing and Trade - PMC
Jun 29, 2010 · In this article, we follow Makassan trepang fishing and trading from its beginning until the industrialization of the fishery and worldwide depletion of sea ...
[59]
[PDF] Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery
No commercial fishing is permitted in the Rowley Shoals Marine Park. For further information please refer to the Parks and Wildlife website - http://parks ...Missing: quotas | Show results with:quotas
[60]
Shark finning – frequently asked questions | Australian Fisheries ...
Nov 2, 2023 · Shark finning at-sea is illegal in Commonwealth fisheries. This means that the removal of shark fins at sea and the dumping of the carcass are prohibited.Missing: Rowley Shoals
[61]
[PDF] Northern Demersal Scalefish Fishery Management Plan 2000
“Fishery” means the Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery;. “fish trap” means any device used for taking fish other than a hook and line, trawl net,.Missing: Rowley Shoals quotas