Shark Bay IMMA
Size in Square Kilometres
17,266 km2
Qualifying Species and Criteria
Dugong – Dugong dugon
Criterion A; B (1); C (1; 2)
Indo Pacific bottlenose dolphin – Tursiops aduncus
Criterion B (1); C (1; 2); D (1)
Marine Mammal Diversity
Megaptera novaeangliae, Sousa sahulensis, Eubalaena australis
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Summary
At the most westerly point of the Australian continent, Shark Bay, is the largest semi enclosed bay in Australia and is bordered by a chain of barrier islands. The significance of the area and its marine habitats have been recognised at local, national, and international levels with its designation as State and Commonwealth marine protected areas and the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Shark Bay has some exceptional natural features including its well-studied Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, its vast seagrass beds, which are the largest (4,800 km2) in the world and contain a rich diversity of seagrass species (12 species); its dugong population; and its stromatolites (colonies of algae which form hard, dome-shaped deposits, among the oldest forms of life on earth). Shark Bay supports one of the most well studied populations of dolphins in the world and scientists have described the complex social lives of this population including the intense competition for food and mates and intriguing repertoire of foraging specialisations, including tool use. Vast seagrass meadows provide forage for dugongs, and a nursery for fish; shallow sand flats and mangroves are home to invertebrates, rays and small sharks; deeper channels support sponge gardens and rocky reefs, providing hunting grounds for sea snakes, large sharks and dolphins.
Description of Qualifying Criteria
Criterion A – Species or Population Vulnerability
The dugong is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (Parra et al. 2017a, Parra et al. 2017b, Marsh and Sobtzick 2019). In Australia, the dugong is also considered a Matter of National Environmental Significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and both the Australian humpback dolphin and the dugong are also listed as Vulnerable in Queensland under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Criterion B: Distribution and Abundance
Sub-criterion B1: Small and Resident Populations
Abundance estimates of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in the western gulf only range from 115 (s.e. 5.2, 95% CI 105–126) individuals in 2008 to 208 (s.e. 17.3, 95% CI 177–245) in 2010. The variability is likely a reflection of how individuals used the study area, rather than fluctuations in true population size. This study provides a robust baseline in the western gulf, which may be of importance should climate change or increasing human activity affect this population (Nicholson et al., 2012). Apparent annual survival rate was estimated at 0.95 (s.e. 0.02) (Nicholson et al., 2012). Following the 2011 marine heatwave capture–recapture analyses indicated 5.9% and 12.2% post-heatwave declines in the survival of dolphins (Wild et al., 2019). Lower survival has persisted post-heatwave, suggesting that habitat loss following extreme weather events may have prolonged, negative impacts on even behaviourally flexible, higher-trophic level predators. There is a resident population of dugongs in Shark Bay and abundance and distribution of this population has been monitored every five years since 1989 using aerial surveys. Population estimates from aerial surveys of Shark Bay have ranged from approx. 10,000‐14,000 (Preen et al., 1997, Hodgson, 2007, Holley et al., 2006, Bayliss et al., 2019) with the Shark Bay population considered to be one of the largest and most dense globally.The population has been shown to be relatively stable over time, with some relatively long range scale movement between the Ningaloo-Exmouth region and Shark Bay being detected after the decimation of seagrass habitat following Cyclone Vance in 1999 (Gales et al., 2004).
Criterion C: Key Life Cycle Activities
Sub-criterion C1: Reproductive Areas
There are resident populations of both Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins and dugongs in Shark Bay and reproductive behaviour, including presence of calves has been reported for both these resident populations. In particular, there is extensive research on bottlenose dolphin reproductive behaviour, mating strategies and calf development, particularly for the eastern gulf (e.g. Mann et al., 2000, Manlik et al., 2016). Long-term demographic data on Shark Bay’s resident Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) population revealed a significant decline in female reproductive rates following a heatwave (Wild et al., 2019). The presence of dugong calves has been recorded during aerial surveys (e.g. Preen et al., 1997) and in particular (Bayliss et al., 2018) noted the potential collapse of breeding post the 2011 marine heatwave and loss of seagrass with recovery noted in the presence of a high number of calves in the 2018 aerial survey. A mating strategy only observed in Shark Bay has been noted to be used by male dugongs, where they lek (Anderson 1997).
Sub-criterion C2: Feeding Areas
One of the values for which the Bay was nominated as a World Heritage Area is the large expanses of seagrass meadows (4,800 km2) and the rich diversity of seagrass species (12 species) these contain (Walker et al., 1988). Dugongs are herbivores and spend significant portions of the day feeding. High numbers of foraging dugongs are sustained by extensive seagrass meadows in Shark Bay (Anderson, 1982, Anderson, 1997), and the loss of seagrass following the 2011 marine heatwave caused a decline in dugong density (Nowicki et al., 2019). The dolphin population that inhabits Shark Bay has been recorded employing a variety of foraging strategies, some targeted at specific foraging habitat, notably sponge feeding in deep channels (Patterson and Mann, 2011, Tyne et al., 2012) and extensive foraging in seagrass meadows (Sargeant et al., 2007). The Shark Bay World Heritage Area endured an unprecedented marine heatwave in 2011 (Thomson et al., 2015). Catastrophic losses of seagrass meadows followed, along with mass mortality in invertebrate and fish communities (Thomson et al., 2015, Strydom et al., 2020).
Criterion D: Special Attributes
Sub-criterion D1: Distinctiveness
The dolphins of Shark Bay have been studied in detail for more than 35 years (Connor and Smolker, 1985), with scientific research providing insight into their behaviour (Smolker et al., 1997), genetics (Krützen et al., 2004), communication (King et al., 2018, Smolker et al., 1993) and ecology (Tyne et al., 2012), including the daily challenges of finding food and avoiding predators. With a myriad of niches to exploit, but intense competition for food and mates, the Shark Bay dolphins have complex social lives and exhibit an intriguing repertoire of foraging specialisations, including tool use. The dolphins use a conical shaped sponge as a protective tool on their rostrum to forage in the rubble-littered substrate in the deeper channels of Shark Bay (Patterson and Mann, 2011, Tyne et al., 2012). A number of other unique foraging strategies have been documented within this population including feeding with conch shells (Allen et al., 2011), kerplunking (Connor et al., 2000) and beach stranding (Sargeant et al., 2005).
Supporting Information
Allen, S. J., Bejder, L. & Krützen, M. 2011. Why Do Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Sp.) Carry Conch Shells (Turbinella Sp.) In Shark Bay, Western Australia? Marine Mammal Science, 27, 449-454.
Anderson, P. 1982. Studies of Dugongs At Shark Bay,Western Australia. Ii.* Surface And Subsurface Observations. Wildlife Research, 9, 85-99.
Anderson, P. K. 1997. Shark Bay Dugongs In Summer. I: Lek Mating. Behaviour, 134, 433-462.
Bayliss, P., Raudino, H. C. & Hutton, M. 2018. Dugong (Dugong Dugon) Population And Habitat Survey Of Shark Bay Marine Park, Ningaloo Reef Marine Park And Exmouth Gulf. Report 1 To Dbca Marine Science Program And National Environmental Science Program.
Bayliss, P., Raudino, H. C., Hutton, M., Murray, K., Waples, K. & Strydom, S. 2019. Modelling The Spatial Relationship Between Dugong (Dugong Dugon) And Their Seagrass Habitat In Shark Bay Marine Park Before And After The Marine Heatwave Of 2010/11. Report 2 To Dbca Marine Science Program And National Environmental Science Program.
Connor, R. C., Heithaus, M. R., Berggren, P. & Miksis, J. L. 2000. “Kerplunking”: Surface Fluke-Splashes During Shallow-Water Bottom Foraging By Bottlenose Dolphins. Marine Mammal Science, 16, 646-653.
Connor, R. C. & Smolker, R. A. 1985. Habituated Dolphins (Tursiops Sp.) In Western Australia. Journal Of Mammalogy, 66, 398-400.
Gales, N., Mccauley, R. D., Lanyon, J. & Holley, D. 2004. Change In Abundance Of Dugongs In Shark Bay, Ningaloo And Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia: Evidence For Large-Scale Migration. Wildlife Research, 31, 283-290.
Hodgson, A. 2007. The Distribution, Abundance And Conservation Of Dugongs And Other Marine Megafauna In Shark Bay Marine Park, Ningaloo Reef Marine Park And Exmouth Gulf. Denham, Western Australia. Wa Department Of Environment And Conservation.
Holley, D. K., Lawler, I. R. & Gales, N. J. 2006. Summer Survey Of Dugong Distribution And Abundance In Shark Bay Reveals Additional Key Habitat Area. Wildlife Research, 33, 243-250.
King, S. L., Friedman, W. R., Allen, S. J., Gerber, L., Jensen, F. H., Wittwer, S., Connor, R. C. & Krützen, M. 2018. Bottlenose Dolphins Retain Individual Vocal Labels In Multi-Level Alliances. Current Biology.
Krützen, M., Sherwin, W. B., Berggren, P. & Gales, N. 2004. Population Structure In An Inshore Cetacean Revealed By Microsatellite And Mtdna Analysis: Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Sp.) In Shark Bay, Western Australia. Marine Mammal Science, 20, 28-47.
Manlik, O., Mcdonald, J. A., Mann, J., Raudino, H. C., Bejder, L., Krützen, M., Connor, R. C., Heithaus, M. R., Lacy, R. C. & Sherwin, W. B. 2016. The Relative Importance Of Reproduction And Survival For The Conservation Of Two Dolphin Populations. Ecology And Evolution.
Mann, J., Connor, R. C., Barre, L. M. & Heithaus, M. R. 2000. Female Reproductive Success In Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Sp.): Life History, Habitat, Provisioning, And Group-Size Effects. Behavioral Ecology, 11, 210-219.
Nicholson, K., Bejder, L., Allen, S. J., Krützen, M. & Pollock, K. H. 2012. Abundance, Survival And Temporary Emigration Of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Sp.) Off Useless Loop In The Western Gulf Of Shark Bay, Western Australia. Marine And Freshwater Research, 63, 1059-1068.
Nowicki, R., Heithaus, M., Thomson, J., Burkholder, D., Gastrich, K. & Wirsing, A. 2019. Indirect Legacy Effects Of An Extreme Climatic Event On A Marine Megafaunal Community. Ecological Monographs, 89, E01365.
Parra, G., D. Cagnazzi, And I. Beasley. 2017a. Orcaella Heinsohni. The Iucn Red List Of Threatened Species 2017: E.T136315a50385982. Http://Dx.Doi.Org/10.2305/Iucn.Uk.2017-3.Rlts.T136315a50385982.En. Downloaded On 06 March 2018.
Parra, G., D. Cagnazzi, W. Perrin, And G. T. Braulik. 2017b. Sousa Sahulensis. The Iucn Red List Of Threatened Species 2017: E.T82031667a82031671. Downloaded On 07 December 2017.
Patterson, E. M. & Mann, J. 2011. The Ecological Conditions That Favor Tool Use And Innovation In Wild Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Sp.). Plos One, 6, E22243.
Preen, A. R., Marsh, H., Lawler, I. R., Prince, R. I. T. & Shepherd, R. 1997. Distribution And Abundance Of Dugongs, Turtles, Dolphins And Other Megafauna In Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef And Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia. Wildlife Research, 24, 185-208.
Sargeant, B., Wirsing, A., Heithaus, M. & Mann, J. 2007. Can Environmental Heterogeneity Explain Individual Foraging Variation In Wild Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Sp.)? Behavioral Ecology And Sociobiology, 61, 679-688.
Sargeant, B. L., Mann, J., Berggren, P. & Krützen, M. 2005. Specialization And Development Of Beach Hunting, A Rare Foraging Behavior, By Wild Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Sp.). Canadian Journal Of Zoology, 83, 1400-1410.
Smolker, R., Mann, J. & Smuts, B. 1993. Use Of Signature Whistles During Separations And Reunions By Wild Bottlenose Dolphin Mothers And Infants. Behavioral Ecology And Sociobiology, 33, 393-402.
Smolker, R., Richards, A., Connor, R., Mann, J. & Berggren, P. 1997. Sponge Carrying By Dolphins (Delphinidae, Tursiops Sp.): A Foraging Specialization Involving Tool Use? Ethology, 103, 454-465.
Strydom, S., Murray, K., Wilson, S., Huntley, B., Rule, M., Heithaus, M., Bessey, C., Kendrick, G. A., Burkholder, D., Fraser, M. W. & Zdunic, K. 2020. Too Hot To Handle: Unprecedented Seagrass Death Driven By Marine Heatwave In A World Heritage Area. Global Change Biology, 26, 3525-3538.
Thomson, J. A., Burkholder, D. A., Heithaus, M. R., Fourqurean, J. W., Fraser, M. W., Statton, J. & Kendrick, G. A. 2015. Extreme Temperatures, Foundation Species, And Abrupt Ecosystem Change: An Example From An Iconic Seagrass Ecosystem. Global Change Biology, 21, 1463-1474.
Tyne, J., Loneragan, N., Kopps, A., Allen, S., Krützen, M. & Bejder, L. 2012. Ecological Characteristics Contribute To Sponge Distribution And Tool Use In Bottlenose Dolphins Tursiops Sp. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 444, 143-153.
Walker, D. I., Kendrick, G. A. & Mccomb, A. J. 1988. The Distribution Of Seagrass Species In Shark Bay, Western Australia, With Notes On Their Ecology. Aquatic Botany, 30, 305-317.
Wild, S., Krützen, M., Rankin, R. W., Hoppitt, W. J. E., Gerber, L. & Allen, S. J. 2019. Long-Term Decline In Survival And Reproduction Of Dolphins Following A Marine Heatwave. Current Biology, 29, R239-R240.
