This area is increasingly coming under threat, largely from industrial development, which should not be the case due to its unusually high biodiversity values, which include:

8 known marine mammal species and a further 20 marine mammal species likely to occur there; including nursery habitat for Western Australian Humpback whale population; feeding and mating habitat of the north Western Australian dugong population; and populations of coastal dolphins (including the Australian snubfin, Australian Humpback and inshore Bottlenose dolphin).

63 species of elasmobranch (sharks and rays) have been officially recorded including two Critically Endangered sawfish and their pupping habitats, juvenile habitat for the Giant Shovelnose ray and Leopard Whipray, and manta ray aggregations. The Exmouth Gulf Mantas migrate to Shark Bay and are the same population that support ecotourism on Ningaloo Reef and Coral Bay.

15 species of sea snakes including endemic, undescribed and Critically Endangered species. Globally unique subterranean stygofauna assemblage associated with underground subterranean karst limestone waterways. Five species of sea turtles including juvenile feeding habitat for Critically Endangered Hawksbill turtles and other Endangered and Vulnerable species

790 species of teleost fish, including juvenile habitat for commercial and recreational species, newly described species, range extensions and a diverse, yet poorly understood seahorse and pipefish assemblage.

831 species of gastropods, bivalves and cephalopods, 143 species of echinoderms, and 173 species of crustaceans characterized by significant instances of endemism such as the Cowrie Zoila species complex, Endangered and Vulnerable holothurians (sea cucumber species); and commercially valuable panaeid prawns and crabs. The world heritage inscribed Karst Limestone Stygofauna consisting of at least 11 endemic fauna including the Blind Cave Eel (Ophisternon candidum) and Blind Gudgeon (Milyeringa veritas).

95 species of migratory and resident shorebirds, waterbirds and seabirds and important nesting, feeding and roosting habitat for 36 Migratory, four Endangered, 11 Near Threatened and two Vulnerable species.

https://www.oceanwise.com.au/exmouth-gulf-2

PermeateFree said:

This area is increasingly coming under threat, largely from industrial development, which should not be the case due to its unusually high biodiversity values, which include:

8 known marine mammal species and a further 20 marine mammal species likely to occur there; including nursery habitat for Western Australian Humpback whale population; feeding and mating habitat of the north Western Australian dugong population; and populations of coastal dolphins (including the Australian snubfin, Australian Humpback and inshore Bottlenose dolphin).

63 species of elasmobranch (sharks and rays) have been officially recorded including two Critically Endangered sawfish and their pupping habitats, juvenile habitat for the Giant Shovelnose ray and Leopard Whipray, and manta ray aggregations. The Exmouth Gulf Mantas migrate to Shark Bay and are the same population that support ecotourism on Ningaloo Reef and Coral Bay.

15 species of sea snakes including endemic, undescribed and Critically Endangered species. Globally unique subterranean stygofauna assemblage associated with underground subterranean karst limestone waterways. Five species of sea turtles including juvenile feeding habitat for Critically Endangered Hawksbill turtles and other Endangered and Vulnerable species

790 species of teleost fish, including juvenile habitat for commercial and recreational species, newly described species, range extensions and a diverse, yet poorly understood seahorse and pipefish assemblage.

831 species of gastropods, bivalves and cephalopods, 143 species of echinoderms, and 173 species of crustaceans characterized by significant instances of endemism such as the Cowrie Zoila species complex, Endangered and Vulnerable holothurians (sea cucumber species); and commercially valuable panaeid prawns and crabs. The world heritage inscribed Karst Limestone Stygofauna consisting of at least 11 endemic fauna including the Blind Cave Eel (Ophisternon candidum) and Blind Gudgeon (Milyeringa veritas).

95 species of migratory and resident shorebirds, waterbirds and seabirds and important nesting, feeding and roosting habitat for 36 Migratory, four Endangered, 11 Near Threatened and two Vulnerable species.

https://www.oceanwise.com.au/exmouth-gulf-2

Can you get a copy of the full report?

> and populations of coastal dolphins (including the Australian snubfin)

That’s good news. Delighted that it’s there. According to wiki, the Australian snubfin isn’t found west of Broome. So if it’s extended its range to Exmouth Gulf then that’s excellent.

mollwollfumble said:

PermeateFree said:

This area is increasingly coming under threat, largely from industrial development, which should not be the case due to its unusually high biodiversity values, which include:

8 known marine mammal species and a further 20 marine mammal species likely to occur there; including nursery habitat for Western Australian Humpback whale population; feeding and mating habitat of the north Western Australian dugong population; and populations of coastal dolphins (including the Australian snubfin, Australian Humpback and inshore Bottlenose dolphin).

63 species of elasmobranch (sharks and rays) have been officially recorded including two Critically Endangered sawfish and their pupping habitats, juvenile habitat for the Giant Shovelnose ray and Leopard Whipray, and manta ray aggregations. The Exmouth Gulf Mantas migrate to Shark Bay and are the same population that support ecotourism on Ningaloo Reef and Coral Bay.

15 species of sea snakes including endemic, undescribed and Critically Endangered species. Globally unique subterranean stygofauna assemblage associated with underground subterranean karst limestone waterways. Five species of sea turtles including juvenile feeding habitat for Critically Endangered Hawksbill turtles and other Endangered and Vulnerable species

790 species of teleost fish, including juvenile habitat for commercial and recreational species, newly described species, range extensions and a diverse, yet poorly understood seahorse and pipefish assemblage.

831 species of gastropods, bivalves and cephalopods, 143 species of echinoderms, and 173 species of crustaceans characterized by significant instances of endemism such as the Cowrie Zoila species complex, Endangered and Vulnerable holothurians (sea cucumber species); and commercially valuable panaeid prawns and crabs. The world heritage inscribed Karst Limestone Stygofauna consisting of at least 11 endemic fauna including the Blind Cave Eel (Ophisternon candidum) and Blind Gudgeon (Milyeringa veritas).

95 species of migratory and resident shorebirds, waterbirds and seabirds and important nesting, feeding and roosting habitat for 36 Migratory, four Endangered, 11 Near Threatened and two Vulnerable species.

https://www.oceanwise.com.au/exmouth-gulf-2

Can you get a copy of the full report?

> and populations of coastal dolphins (including the Australian snubfin)

That’s good news. Delighted that it’s there. According to wiki, the Australian snubfin isn’t found west of Broome. So if it’s extended its range to Exmouth Gulf then that’s excellent.

Just under the title of the article, click link. You have to register (name and email address) to get the report which is very detailed with interesting information and photos.