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Shark Bay world heritage area
Shark Bay is located around 870 kilometres north of the Western Australian capital Perth on the 26th Parallel some 200 kilometres south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Shark Bay represents the most westerly point of the Australian mainland and has approximately 1300 kilometres of coastline bordering the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean and Shark Bay Marine Park covers an area of 748,735 hectors.
Shark Bay is the only World Heritage area in Western Australia originally inscribed in 1991. It is one of the few places in the world that actually satisfies all 4 categories of World Heritage listing. This places the Shark Bay region in the same category as other significant locations such as The Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Island. The categories are as follows; for a list of world heritage places. http://whc.unesco.org/heritage.htm
• Outstanding examples of earths evolutionary history.
• Ongoing geological and biological processes.
• Examples of superlative natural phenomena.
• Providing significant and important habitats for biological diversity.
The Shark Bay Peninsula represents a meeting point of 3 climatic regions and forms a diverse transition zone between the Southwest and Northern Regions of Western Australia. Travelling by road west from the main highway, the World Heritage Park and its vast and diverse population of native animals are protected from non native predators by an electric fence running approximately north to south. All vehicles must cross the electric fence line to gain access onto the peninsula. In addition to the electrical barrier, visitors by vehicle will also hear pre-recorded audit tapes which imitate the sounds of barking dogs. Again, this is intended to discourage non native animals.
Shark Bay is indeed unique. The features are perhaps endless although some notable points are as follows;
• The largest and most diverse Seagrass beds in the world incorporating some 11 different species of Seagrass.
• The region is known for the largest population of Dugongs (a large sea mammal) in the world. Some estimates put the population at over 10,000 Dugongs in Shark Bay.
• The Stromatolites. Due to the hyper saline waters notably at an area known as Hamlin Pool, Shark Bay is host to the Stromatolites believed to be the first form of life on earth.
• The last remaining pristine habitat for some of the rarest and most endangered animal species in Australia.
• Spectacular landscapes where the opaline waters of the Indian Ocean contrast with the deep ochre colours of the dunes and rock formations.
• The first landing place for Europeans in Australia. The Dutch explorer, Dirk Hartog first landed on the Shark Bay peninsula in 1616.
• Shark Bay is home to around 35% of all Australia's Bird species.
• Vast range of diverse amphibians, marsupials and reptiles believed to number in excess of 100.
• Large breeding group of Tiger Sharks.
• The waters of Shark Bay are a traditional resting and feeding point for Humpback Whales whose migration route follows the Western Australian coastline.
• Flourishing Bottle Nosed Dolphins particularly famous at Monkey Mia.
• Useless Loop so named by the early navigators and now home to a Salt Mine arguably being the most environmentally sensitive mining operation in the world.
Things to see and do in Shark Bay
Monkey Mia Dolphins: Click here for info
Monkey Mia Resort : Click here for info
Denham Town site: A small seaside town and Shark bays centre for the Fishing & Tourism industries. The town was once a thriving community centred around the pearling industry, the streets were paved with pearl shells that were not good enough to send to England. Denham got its name from Capt Henry Mangles Denham who charted the bay in 1858. The town was Gazzeted in 1898 and as all amenities. For more things to do and places to stay www.sharkbay.org
Francis Peron National Park : Named after the french naturliste who visited the area in 1801 and 1803 with the Geographic expedition .Bought by the government in 1990 before this it was a sheep station the park covers 40,000 hectares .the homestead is still standing and gives you a taste of what life would have been like in years gone bye. For more info on the park http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/national_parks/previous_parks_month/peron.html
Tribal lands : Before Shark Bay was settled by the Europeans it was inhabitated by the Nganda and Malgana people Their main source of food was from the bay itself this would be shell fish, fish ,turtles,dugungs ,sharks basicaly any thing they could catch. They would of also collected fruit from the low bush that inhabits the area. They have found artefacts dating back to 2200BC and there are caves at Monkey Mia which have signs of Aboriginal habitation.
ShipWrecks : There have been hundreds of Shipwrecks along the West Australian Coast and quite a few in the Shark Bay region. Ships like the Gudrun,(1901) a marine reserve has been established to provide protection for diving on the site. The most Famous The Zuytdorp was wrecked (1712) on the cliffs that takes it name south of Shark Bay over 285 people on board their fate unknown. Others are The perservant (1841), Prince Charlie (1850) North Star (1856) Maquarrie(1878) and one of the biggest mysteries in Australian naval history the second world warship HMS Sydney went missing somewhere of the coast. For more info check out http://www.mm.wa.gov.au/Museum/toc/dmatoc.html
Shell beach: The high water Salinity (salt concentration) levels in the Shell Beach area have resulted in the proliferation of the bivalve Cardiid Cockle Shell and has lead to the accumulation of these tiny shells along the shore of L`Haridon Bight and Hamelin Bay . Predators of these shells can not cope with the high saline waters and this alouds the small white shells to live untroubled in their millions in the bay.
Blue Lagoon Pearls: Just a few minutes ride on the ferry boat "Blue Lagoon Pearl" from Monkey Mia`s World famous Dolphin beach to the crystal pristine waters of Red Cliff Bay is the magnificent pontoon "Sea Lab 1" ,the operational home of Blue Lagoon Pearls. This is a working farm. Learn how shells are seeded. Watch our skilled technicians prepare shells for seeding and operate with surgical precision as they insert the nucleus of what the oyster will, in two years, transformed into the lustrous pearl. Shark bay is where William Dampier discovered the Pinctada Albina Pearl Shells. www.bluelagoon.com.au
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