Central Coast Rocky Shore Biodiversity Assessment

Central Coast Rocky Shore 

Biodiversity Assessment 

FINAL REPORT (PROJECT CAE 06017) 

December 2007 

Prepared by 

Dr William Gladstone, Ms Aude Loisier, and Mr Chris Herbert

Table of Contents 

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS .........6 

2 INTRODUCTION............................................................................10 

3 METHODS .......................................................................................11 

3.1 Habitat Assessment......................................................................................11 

3.2 Biodiversity Assessment: Intertidal Organisms...........................................11 

3.2.1 Sampling Locations .............................................................................12 

3.2.2 Sampling Methods ...............................................................................12 

3.2.3 Data analysis ........................................................................................13 

3.3 Biodiversity Assessment: Birds ...................................................................16 

4 RESULTS .........................................................................................16 

4.1 Habitat Assessment......................................................................................16 

4.2 Biodiversity Assessment: Intertidal Organisms...........................................19 

4.2.1 Species Richness and Rare Species .....................................................19 

4.2.2 Species Assemblages ...........................................................................20 

4.2.3 Simulated Reserve Selection................................................................21 

4.2.4 Benchmarking Against Other Rock Platforms ....................................22 

4.2.5 Size of Species .....................................................................................24 

4.3 Birds.............................................................................................................34 

5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............................36 

6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................40 

7 REFERENCES.................................................................................41 

8 APPENDICES ..................................................................................43 

8.1 Study Locations ...........................................................................................44 

8.2 Species of Intertidal Organisms Recorded...................................................52 

8.3 Cunjevoi (Pyura stolonifera) .......................................................................67 

8.4 Bird Survey Results .....................................................................................68 

8.5 Significant Roost and Foraging Sites for Birds ...........................................74 

2

List of Figures 

Figure 1 Shores at which the assessments of biodiversity of intertidal organisms and 

birds were undertaken..................................................................................................15 

Figure 2 Cluster dendrogram derived from the species presence-absence data. The 

shore codes are Blue lagoon (BL), Snapper Point (SP), Norah Head (NH), The 

Skillion (TS), Spoon Bay (SB), The Entrance (TE), Swansea Heads (SH), Soldiers 

Reef (SR), Maitland Bay (MB), Catherine Hill Bay (CHB), Little Beach (LB), Pearl 

Beach (PB), Leggies (Le), Caves Beach (CB), Dudley (Du). .....................................20 

Figure 3 non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) ordination plot depicting 

groupings of rocky shores according to similarity in their species assemblages (at the 

level of 75% similarity). The location codes are shown in Figure 2. ..........................21 

Figure 4 Species accumulation curve showing the percentage of all species 

accumulated in shores selected during a simulated reserve selection process by a 

minimum-set algorithm in C-Plan to achieve the conservation goal of each species 

being represented at least once in a reserve.................................................................22 

Figure 5 Size frequency distribution of Cellana tramoserica at the different locations. 

Size class are in mm and n=300 individuals per shore. The arrow indicates the size at 

sexual maturity.............................................................................................................26 

Figure 6 Size frequency distribution of Bembicium nanum at the different locations. 



Figure 7 Size frequency distribution of Nerita atramentosa at the different locations. 



Figure 8 Size frequency distribution of Austrocochlea porcata at the different 

locations. Size class are in mm and n=300 individuals per shore. The arrow indicates 

the size at sexual maturity............................................................................................32 

3

List of Tables 

Table 1 Habitats present (indicated by X) at 26 rocky shores surveyed in the Gosford, 

Wyong and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas (LGAs) (* rocky shores 

surveyed in the biodiversity assessments for intertidal organisms and birds).............17 

Table 2 Habitats and sub-habitats present (indicated by X) at each of the 15 rocky 

shores at which detailed biodiversity assessments were undertaken (HS high-shore 

platform, MS mid-shore platform, Ba mid-shore platform dominated by barnacles, LS 

low-shore platform, Cr crevice, Bo boulders, Co cobbles, RP rock pools).................18 

Table 3 Number of replicate sites sampled for each habitat/sub-habitat at each shore 

(see Table 2 for abbreviations of habitats/sub-habitats). .............................................18 

Table 4 Number of species and rare species and summed irreplaceability (Summ IRR) 

value of each shore for intertidal organisms and the number of bird species recorded 

at each shore.................................................................................................................19 

Table 5 Comparison of total number of species and total number of mollusc species 

recorded in other studies on intertidal rocky platforms between Nobbys and Pearl 

Beach............................................................................................................................23 

Table 6 Presence (1) and absence (0) of bird species at each rocky shore. The shore 

codes are Blue lagoon (BL), Snapper Point (SP), Norah Head (NH), The Skillion 

(TS), Spoon Bay (SB), The Entrance (TE), Swansea Heads (SH), Soldiers Reef (SR), 

Maitland Bay (MB), Catherine Hill Bay (CHB), Little Beach (LB), Pearl Beach (PB), 

Leggies (Le), Caves Beach (CB), Dudley (Du)...........................................................35 

4

List of Appendices 

Appendix 8.1.1: The 3 study sites at Pearl Beach........................................................44 

Appendix 8.1.2: The 3 study sites at Maitland Bay.....................................................44 

Appendix 8.1.3: The 3 study sites at Little Beach .......................................................45 

Appendix 8.1.4: The 3 study sites at The Skillion.......................................................45 

Appendix 8.1.5: The 3 study sites at Spoon Bay .........................................................46 

Appendix 8.1.6: The 3 study sites at Blue Lagoon......................................................46 

Appendix 8.1.7: The 3 study sites at The Entrance .....................................................47 

Appendix 8.1.8: The 3 study sites at Soldiers Reef .....................................................47 

Appendix 8.1.9: The 3 study sites at Norah Head .......................................................48 

Appendix 8.1.10: The 3 study sites at Snapper Point ..................................................48 

Appendix 8.1.11: The 3 study sites of Catherine Hill Bay ..........................................49 

Appendix 8.1.12: The 3 study sites at Caves Beach....................................................49 

Appendix 8.1.13: The 3 study sites at Swansea Head .................................................50 

Appendix 8.1.14: The 3 study sites at Dudley.............................................................50 

Appendix 8.1.15: The 3 study sites at Leggies ............................................................51 

Appendix 8.2.1: Pearl Beach species list.....................................................................52 

Appendix 8.2.2: Maitland Bay species list ..................................................................53 

Appendix 8.2.3: Little Beach species list.....................................................................54 

Appendix 8.2.4: The Skillion species list ....................................................................55 

Appendix 8.2.5: Spoon Bay species list.......................................................................56 

Appendix 8.2.6: Blue Lagoon species list ...................................................................57 

Appendix 8.2.7: The Entrance species list...................................................................58 

Appendix 8.2.8: Soldiers Reef species list...................................................................59 

Appendix 8.2.9: Norah Head species list.....................................................................60 

Appendix 8.2.10: Snapper Point species list................................................................61 

Appendix 8.2.11: Catherine Hill Bay species list........................................................62 

Appendix 8.2.12: Caves Beach species list .................................................................63 

Appendix 8.2.13: Swansea Head species list...............................................................64 

Appendix 8.2.14: Dudley species list ..........................................................................65 

Appendix 8.2.15: Leggies species list..........................................................................66 

Appendix 8.3.1: Measurements of cunjevoi (Pyura stolonifera). Range sizes (mm), 

average inner and outer diameters (mm) of the 50 cunjevoi were measured at each 

site. The mean and standard error were measured for each location at each site; also 

the total mean diameter ± standard error was given for each location. .......................67 

Appendix 8.5.1: Significant roost and foraging sites for birds at The Entrance..........74 

Appendix 8.5.2: Gull and Tern roost and foraging site for shorebirds at Norah Head74 

Appendix 8.5.3: Significant roost and foraging sites for birds at Soldiers Reef ........75 

5

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

The aims of this project were: (i) to undertake a habitat assessment at a minimum of 

25 rocky shores in the Gosford, Wyong, and Lake Macquarie Local Government 

Areas, (ii) to undertake a detailed biodiversity assessment (intertidal organisms, birds) 

at 15 rocky shores in the same area, (iii) to train Project Aware volunteers in 

techniques of biodiversity assessment, and (iv) to engage Project Aware volunteers in 

the collection of data for the biodiversity assessment. The biodiversity assessment 

methods used for intertidal organisms were the same as those used by NSW DPI. 

Habitat assessment 

The presence-absence of five habitats (platform, crevice, rock pools, boulder areas, 

cobble areas) was recorded at 26 rocky shores (10 Gosford LGA, 11 Wyong LGA, 5 

Lake Macquarie LGA): 6 rocky shores had 4 habitats present and 20 rocky shores had 

5 habitats present. 

A more detailed comparison of habitat presence-absence was done at the 15 rocky 

shores used for the detailed biodiversity assessment by recording the presenceabsence 

of crevices, rock pools, boulder areas, cobble areas and 4 sub-habitats within 

the platform habitat (low shore platform, mid-shore platform dominated by barnacles, 

mid-shore platform dominated by grazers, high-shore platform): 10 shores had 8 

habitats/sub-habitats present, 5 shores had 7 habitats/sub-habitats present. 

Both habitat assessments indicate that there was little discrimination among shores on 

the basis of both a coarse and a fine habitat classification. 

Biodiversity assessment: intertidal organisms 

Fifteen rocky shores were selected from the 26 rocky shores that had been surveyed 

for habitats, representing the range of habitat numbers present. These 15 rocky shores 

included 5 from each LGA. The most southern rocky shore surveyed was Pearl Beach 

and the most northern was Leggies. 

A total of 230 species were recorded across the 15 rocky shores sampled. The highest 

number of species occurred at Swansea Head (127 species) and the smallest number 

of species was recorded at Norah Head and Snapper Point (91 species). 

Seventy one species (31% of all species recorded) were classified as ‘rare’ (i.e. 

occurring at only 1-2 shores). The greatest numbers of rare species were recorded at 

Blue Lagoon (15 species) and Swansea Head (12 species). 

The species assemblages across all rocky shores were more than 60% similar with the 

most distinctive assemblage occurring at Blue Lagoon. When grouped at a level of 

75% similarity, the rocky shores formed 7 groups consisting of shores with a 

distinctive assemblage (Blue Lagoon, Snapper Point, Norah Head, The Skillion, 

Swansea Heads), 2 shores sharing an assemblage (Spoon Bay, The Entrance) and a 

group of 8 shores sharing a similar assemblage (Maitland Bay, Soldiers Reef, 

Catherine Hill Bay, Little Beach, Pearl Beach, Leggies, Caves Beach, Dudley). 

6

The relative conservation value of shores was quantified by their summed 

irreplaceability, which measured the relative contribution of each shore towards the 

conservation goal of representing all species. Swansea Heads had the highest summed 

irreplaceability value (28.5) and the Entrance the lowest (11.3). Thirteen shores (87% 

of all shores) were required to achieve the goal of representing all the species at least 

once in the simulated reserve network. However, selection of a single shore, Swansea 

Head, included 55.2% of all species and selection of 3 shores (Swansea Heads, Blue 

Lagoon, Little Beach) included 79% of all species 

Benchmarking of the results of this study with other studies found the range in the 

number of species per shore and the range in the number of mollusc species per shore 

were within the range of values reported for other shores in the region. 

All shores contained reproductively mature and immature individuals of the 4 

measured species Cellana tramoserica, Bembicium nanum, Nerita atramentosa and 

Austrocochlea porcata. All shores are therefore potentially capable of acting as 

sources of recruits for other shores, and all shores are being replenished with recruits 

from other shores. 

Cunjevoi (Pyura stolonifera) were present at all shores except Snapper Point, and 

were absent from 1 or more sites at Spoon Bay, Caves Beach and Dudley. The 

smallest and largest mean sizes of cunjevoi occurred, respectively, at The Entrance 

and Dudley, although all shores (except Snapper Point) contained small and large 

individuals. 

Biodiversity assessment: birds 

Twenty-two bird species were recorded with the greatest number of species observed 

at Norah Head (10 species) and Blue Lagoon (7 species). No birds were observed at 

Little Beach or Spoon Bay and only 1 species was observed at each of Pearl Beach, 

Maitland Bay, Caves Beach, and Leggies. 

The rarest, most rock-platform dependant bird observed was a single sighting of a pair 

of Eastern Reef Egrets (dark phase) at Swansea Heads. 

Norah Head was particularly important for birds, being recognized as a significant 

high-tide roost for gulls and terns, and a significant low-tide foraging site for 

migratory shorebirds and a roost for gulls and terns. 

Community participation 

Volunteers contributed greatly to this project by undertaking (with training and 

supervision) the monitoring of mollusc species. Sixteen volunteers were trained in the 

methods and a total of 30 person days (by 10 individuals) were contributed by Project 

Aware participants. An additional 13 person days (by 6 individuals) were contributed 

by other community volunteers. 

7

Recommendations 

As a basis for further discussion about the preferred number of protected areas the 

following sub-set of shores are recommended as priorities for protection: Swansea 

Heads (Lake Macquarie LGA), Blue Lagoon (Wyong LGA), and Norah Head 

(Wyong LGA). 

The protection of these 3 shores would achieve: 

• Representation of 74% of intertidal species and 48% of rare species 

• Representation of multiple examples of all habitats/sub-habitats 

• Representation of 3 types of species assemblage (an example of another 

assemblage type is currently protected within the Bouddi Marine Extension) 

• Protection of the most important shore for birds (Norah Head) and overall for 

17 species (77% of total species) of birds 

• Protection of viable populations of the 5 measured species 

Consideration of the need to protect these 3 shores should be assessed in conjunction 

with the following: 

• Protection is recommended despite evidence of limited impacts from current 

human activities at any rocky shore. However, experiences from terrestrial 

ecosystems and from other marine ecosystems have shown that human uses 

and impacts change through time and frequently increase in response to 

changing patterns of population settlement, recreational activities, and 

commercial interests. Pre-emptive protection is an effective preventive 

measure, maintains option values, and avoids the high costs of remediation 

that may be required in the future if shores remained unprotected 

• Although the recommendation for protection of three shores does not include 

any shore within the Gosford LGA the Bouddi National Park Marine 

Extension is wholly within the boundaries of Gosford LGA and includes a 

substantial stretch of coastline within the Gosford LGA in which intertidal 

rocky shores are protected 

• An earlier study by Otway (1999) recommended consideration of Tudibaring 

Head (at Copacabana, Gosford LGA) and Toowoon Point (Wyong LGA) as 

candidate aquatic reserves 

• Inclusion of Tudibaring Head and expansion of protection to encompass 

Toowoon Point and Blue Lagoon would address the priority sites of both 

studies 

In addition to recommending protection for Swansea Heads, Blue Lagoon, and Norah 

Head it is also recommended that programs of community awareness and education 

be established by local councils to promote wider awareness of the significance of 

these rocky shores. These awareness and education programs should be an integral 

part of a management plan developed for each shore by local councils. 

Human use studies should be undertaken at the 3 candidate priority shores to confirm 

the assumption of minimal human impacts currently occurring. The study should use 

the same methodology that was used in the human use study of Newcastle rocky 

shores and the sampling should address times of expected highest usage (weekends, 

low tide, school holidays, spring-summer). Project Aware volunteers should be 

invited to participate in the human use study and trained in the techniques. 

8

Planning of future similar studies that require participation by community volunteers 

should address the inevitable likelihood of delays and the consequences of this for the 

scope of the project (e.g. number of shores able to be surveyed for the time and 

financial resources available). 

All local governments should be advised about the findings of this study. In particular, 

Lake Macquarie City Council should be advised about the importance of the Swansea 

Heads rocky shore; Wyong Shire Council should be advised about the importance of 

Norah Head and Soldiers Reef for birds and encouraged to develop community 

education programs to minimize human and dog disturbance of the birds, and to 

consider these important values in future environmental management activities in the 

area of these shores; Gosford City Council should be advised about the significance of 

the Bouddi National Park Marine Extension as a representative of assemblage 

diversity and the findings of the 1999 study by NSW Fisheries about the importance 

of Tudibaring Head. 

All councils should be encouraged to enforce regulations that prohibit dogs being off 

the leash on rocky shores. 

Research should be encouraged to understand the importance of the rocky shore 

environment (e.g. as a source of food, shelter, roosting) for birds. 

9

2 INTRODUCTION 

The intertidal rocky shores of south-eastern Australia are inhabited by a distinctive 

biodiversity of animals and plants, many of which have high levels of endemism 

(Ponder et al. 2002). Existing at the boundary of marine and terrestrial biomes, this 

biodiversity is subjected to extremes of the physical environment (e.g. temperature, 

desiccation, wave turbulence) as well the ecological interactions that commonly occur 

in biotic communities (e.g. competition, predation). Rocky intertidal shores are easily 

accessed by humans and provide an enjoyable opportunity for passive recreation and 

for science and environmental education. 

The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species for 2007 includes 1,530 marine species 

of which 80 are threatened with extinction and 31 have a high risk of extinction. A 

particular concern is the rate of new additions to the list of threatened marine species. 

Intertidal collecting of organisms occurs in Australia (Underwood 1993) and 

historical evidence suggests that Aboriginal Australians harvested for food (Sullivan 

1987, Catterall and Poiner 1987). Collecting for bait is a more common activity in 

contemporary Australian culture (Keough et al 1993, Kingsford et al 1991, 

Underwood 1993). Other forms of anthropogenic disturbance include habitat 

disturbance; trampling; pollution; climate change, and invasions of exotic species 

(Kingsford et al. 1991; Underwood, 1993). These disturbances reduce species richness 

and abundance of particular species, which can lead to changes in the entire intertidal 

biotic community (Keough and Quinn, 1998, 2000). Such impacts compromise the 

biodiversity values, human-use value, and ecosystem functions of intertidal rocky 

shores. Protected areas incorporating rocky intertidal habitat have been suggested as 

tools to conserve biodiversity and to ensure a viable breeding population remains to 

potentially replenish adjacent depleted areas (Underwood 1993). 

The protection of coastal tropical ecosystems and maintenance of the services 

provided by these ecosystems (with all the associated social and economic benefits) is 

a highly desirable though complex aim. Conservation and management are more 

likely to succeed when they are planned with reference to goals or guiding principles 

that are based on ecological and socio-economic understanding. Marine protected 

areas (MPAs) are areas of coast or seabed managed for the conservation and 

sustainable use of the biotic and abiotic environments. Intertidal Protected Areas 

(IPAs) are a type of MPA established in many parts of the world to conserve intertidal 

rocky shores and manage human activities in these habitats. Where establishment of 

an IPA (or of MPAs where the intertidal is included) includes the exclusion of 

extractive activities, it is usually followed by an increase in species richness and 

abundance of species (that had been reduced by human activities) and a return to a 

community resembling an undisturbed condition (Keough and Quinn, 2000). 

Selection of protected areas within Australia is guided by the principles of 

comprehensiveness, adequacy and representativeness (ANZECC 1998). 

Comprehensiveness aims to ensure inclusion of the full range of ecosystems present 

within the planning region. Adequacy aims to provide ecological viability, resilience 

and integrity of each ecosystem. Representativeness ensures that the areas selected 

10

easonably reflect the biotic diversity of the ecosystems from which they derive 

(http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/publications/nrs/directions/chapter2.html) 

The use of representativeness to select MPAs requires an ecologically meaningful 

target such as representing each habitat in the reserve network in at least two 

locations. Efficient representativeness means that the feature is sampled within the 

reserve network with little ‘over-achievement’ relative to the nominated target 

(Pressey and Taffs 2001) and allows maximum biodiversity conservation for the 

resources available. Thus, protection of areas representative of a specified facet of 

biodiversity is seen to be a particularly effective tool for systematic conservation 

planning in marine systems (Ray and Grassle 1991, McNeill 1994, Banks et al 2005). 

For selection of MPAs or IPAs to be effective in creating long-term self-sustaining 

ecological units and maximising the persistence of biodiversity, it should include 

conservation of the biodiversity hierarchy (i.e. species, assemblages, habitats, 

ecosystems). 

The aims of this project were: (i) to undertake a habitat assessment at a minimum of 

25 rocky shores in the Gosford, Wyong, and Lake Macquarie Local Government 

Areas, (ii) to undertake a detailed biodiversity assessment (intertidal organisms, birds) 

at 15 rocky shores in the same area, (iii) to train Project Aware volunteers in 

techniques of biodiversity assessment, and (iv) to engage Project Aware volunteers in 

the collection of data for the biodiversity assessment. 

3 METHODS 

3.1 Habitat Assessment 

Habitat assessments were undertaken in April-May 2007 at 26 rocky shores in the 

study area distributed in the following manner: 10 Gosford LGA, 10 Wyong LGA, 6 

Lake Macquarie LGA (Table 1). The number of rocky shores surveyed reflected the 

relative availability of rocky shores in each LGA. The following habitat types were 

scored for their presence-absence at each rocky shore: platform, crevice, rock pools, 

boulder areas, cobble areas (Otway 1999). 

3.2 Biodiversity Assessment: Intertidal Organisms 

The methods used to assess the biodiversity of intertidal organisms were based on the 

methods used by Dr Nic Otway (NSW DPI) in previous assessments of rocky shore 

biodiversity in the Manning Shelf bioregion and elsewhere (Otway 1999). An 

electronic copy of the methods was provided by Dr Otway and discussed with him in 

subsequent phone conversations and personal meetings. 

The contract included a flow diagram (prepared by Dr Otway) showing the steps 

involved for a protocol to identify candidate Aquatic Reserves. It was requested that 

these steps be followed for this project. The first steps involved a habitat assessment 

of the candidate shores to quantify habitat diversity. A decision-tree follows in which 

11

the selection of candidate shores for detailed biodiversity assessments depends upon 

the existence of a correlation between number of habitats and number of species. This 

correlation is to be tested in the early stages of a project. 

Sufficient information existed from other studies undertaken at the University of 

Newcastle for this decision to be made without surveys: (i) data from the biodiversity 

surveys of Newcastle rocky shores (undertaken for Newcastle City Council) found the 

number of species at locations with 3 habitats varied between 64 and 87 (mean±SE = 

75.5 ± 11.50, n=2) and the number of species at locations with 5 habitats present 

varied between 73 and 103 (86.3 ± 3.70, n=7) (Gladstone 2005); (ii) data from Ms 

Aude Loisier’s research found, for molluscs, that there was no significant correlation 

between number of habitats and number of species (R=-0.10, P=0.68, n=20 locations) 

(Loisier 2007). There is considerable overlap in the number of species recorded at 

Newcastle locations with different number of habitats. Loisier’s (2007) result of no 

correlation between number of habitats and number of mollusc species is likely to 

apply to all other species on rocky shores because of published research (Gladstone 

2002) showing that molluscs are a very good indicator of the number of other species 

present on rocky shores. It was therefore recommended that the rocky shores be 

selected for detailed biodiversity assessments on the assumption of no correlation 

between numbers of habitats and species richness. However, sampling will be 

undertaken in each habitat present on each shore because it is highly likely that the 

types of species present in each habitat will differ. 

3.2.1 Sampling Locations 

Under the scenario of no correlation between number of habitats and number of 

species Dr Otway recommended random selection of a subset of shores with varying 

numbers of habitats for detailed biodiversity assessment. Given the limited range in 

habitat number per shore (4 or 5 habitats present), 15 rocky shores were selected for 

the detailed biodiversity assessment representing 13 shores with 5 habitats and 2 

shores with 4 habitats (Table 1, Figure 1, Appendix 8.1). This split was roughly 

proportional to the overall distribution of habitat numbers among the different shores 

(20 shores with 5 habitats, 6 shores with 4 habitats). 

3.2.2 Sampling Methods 

Sampling occurred in each habitat (from the list in section 3.1) that was present on 

each rocky shore. For the purposes of sampling consistency each habitat was defined 

in the following way: (1) crevices were any cracks equal or greater than 20 cm in 

depth; (2) rock pools were any pools between 30 and 100 cm in depth; (3) boulder 

areas consisting of rocks of maximal length between 2 and 4 m; and (4) cobble areas 

consisting of rocks between 30 and 100 cm maximal length. The platform habitat was 

further stratified into the following sub-habitats: (5.1) low shore platform at the 

water’s edge where high density of algal community can be observed (e.g. Ulva 

lactuca, Sargassum spp. and Colpomenia peregrina); (5.2) mid-shore dominated by 

barnacles (e.g. Tesseropora rosea) with other species being abundant (e.g. Morula 

marginalba); (5.3) mid-shore dominated by grazers (e.g. Cellana tramoserica, 

Austrocochlea porcata and Nerita atramentossa); and (5.4) high-shore which was the 

12

high and dry part of the rock platform dominated by Nodilittorina spp. This 

stratification reflected differences in the species composition of each sub-habitat. The 

species occurring in each sub-platform habitat were combined, for analysis, to give a 

total count for platform habitat species. 

Replicate sites of each habitat and platform sub-habitat were sampled (when 

available) within each shore, and sites were separated by 50-100 m. Each platform 

sub-habitat was sampled using four replicate 0.1 m 2 quadrats in each of 3 sites. Four 

replicates 50 cm lengths of crevice were sampled in 3 sites at each shore. To record 

the species richness of crevices, walls as well as the base of the crevice were assessed. 

Rock pools were surveyed in 3 sites at each shore. Four replicate rock pools were 

randomly chosen in each site and all species observed during a 5-minute timed search 

of each pool were recorded l. Two replicates of 5 m x 5 m quadrats of boulders were 

assessed in 2 replicate sites at each shore. All species present on the top, sides and 

undersides of each boulder were recorded. Cobbles were searched for 20 min at each 

site during which species inhabiting the top and underneath sides, as well as the 

sediment below each cobble, were recorded. Two replicate sites of cobbles were 

sampled at each location where possible (Otway 1999). 

Sizes of 4 species were measured with vernier callipers (to the nearest 1 mm) to 

provide information on the potential for each shore to support viable populations. 

Four species were sampled at 3 sites at each shore: Cellana tramoserica, Bembicium 

nanum, Nerita atramentosa and Austrocochlea porcata. One hundred individuals of 

each species were measured at each site, thus 400 shells where measured per site and 

1,200 shells per location. These species were chosen because of their regional 

distribution on rock platforms, their relative abundance, the importance of some 

species as a target for collectors (Gladstone 2005), the availability of biological 

information, and because of the existence of comparable data from other shores in the 

region (Otway 1999, Gladstone 2005). For each species the longest section of the 

shell base was measured. 

Measurements of the 4 species were done by volunteers at the same time as the 

biodiversity assessments were being done, following detailed instruction by Ms Aude 

Loisier. Volunteers were trained to identify correctly each species, to recognize the 

habitat of each species, to measure each species, and to record the data. The accuracy 

of each volunteer’s method was checked by Ms Loisier. Sixteen volunteers were 

trained in the methods and a total of 30 person days (by 10 individuals) were 

contributed by Project Aware participants. An additional 13 person days (by 6 

individuals) were contributed by other community volunteers. 

Another species, the cunjevoi (Pyura stolonifera), was measured at two sites per 

shore. Fifty individuals were measured at each site. The internal and external 

diameters of the tunic at the level of the siphon were measured using vernier callipers; 

subsequently the mean diameter (± standard error) of each individual was calculated 

(Otway 1999). 

3.2.3 Data analysis 

13

The total number of species (i.e. species richness) was calculated for each shore by 

summing the species richness of each site. The number of rare species occurring at 

each shore was also determined. Rare species were those species whose occurrence 

(i.e. the number of shores where a species was recorded) was within the lower quartile 

of the frequency distribution of occurrences for all species (Gaston 1994). 

Species assemblages were defined by multivariate analysis using Primer 5 software 

(Primer-E Ltd, Plymouth; Clarke and Warwick, 2001) from a matrix of species 

presence-absence at each of the 15 shores. A Bray-Curtis similarity matrix was 

calculated from the presence-absence data to produce a non-metric multidimensional 

scaling (nMDS) ordination plot and a hierarchical clustering dendogram. nMDS plot 

and cluster dendogram were then used to group shores on the basis of similarity in 

their species assemblages. 

Reserve selection techniques were also used to evaluate the relative conservation 

value of each shore for intertidal organisms. A simulated reserve selection procedure 

was undertaken, using the conservation planning software C-Plan (New South Wales 

National Parks and Wildlife Service; Pressey, 1998, 1999), for the conservation goal 

of representing each species at least once in a reserve. Summed irreplaceability was 

used as a quantitative measure of each shore’s relative contribution to that goal 

(Ferrier et al., 2000). Shores with a higher summed irreplaceability value have a 

higher conservation priority. Shores were progressively selected in order of their 

summed irreplaceability by a minimum-set algorithm in C-Plan. The algorithm firstly 

selected the shore with the highest summed irreplaceability and re-calculated the 

summed irreplaceability of the remaining unselected shores. Then, from the remaining 

unselected shores the algorithm selected the shore with the highest summed 

irreplaceability and re-calculated the summed irreplaceability value of the remaining 

unselected shores. This iterative process continued until all the species were 

represented at least once in the set of selected reserves. If there was a tie between two 

shores, the algorithm selected the shore with the highest initial summed 

irreplaceability value (i.e. before selection had begun). The percentage of all species 

progressively accumulated in the set of selected shores was used to plot a species 

accumulation curve to represent the progressive achievement of the conservation goal. 

Total species richness and mollusc species richness were compared with records from 

previous studies conducted on the same section of coastline (Otway, 1999; Alexander 

2002; Gladstone 2002; Morton 2002; Loisier 2007) and other studies conducted in the 

Newcastle LGA (Otway, 1999; Gladstone 2005). However, comparisons should be 

done with caution as different sampling scales, efforts and methods were used by the 

different studies. 

Length-frequency distributions of the species were compared with existing published 

information on the size of reproductive maturity of these species (Underwood, 1974, 

1975). This comparison provided valuable information on the potential population 

viability of the 4 species at the different shores, the likely connectivity of a shore with 

other shores (based on the presence of small, recently settled individuals), and the 

potential for a shore to act as a source population (based on the presence of 

reproductively mature individuals) (Otway 1999). 

14

Gosford 

Brisbane water 

Pearl Beach 

Tuggerah Lake 

Little Beach 

Maitland Bay 

The Skillion 

Lake Macquarie 

Munmorah Lake 

Blue Lagoon 

Spoon Bay 

The Entrance 

Soldiers Reef 

Figure 1 Shores at which the assessments of biodiversity of intertidal organisms and birds 

were undertaken. 

15 

Norah Head 

Newcastle 

Swansea Head 

Caves beach 

Catherine Hill Bay 

Snapper Point 

Leggies 

Dudley 

Tasman Sea 

0 5 10 

Kilometres 

N

3.3 Biodiversity Assessment: Birds 

Each rocky shore was visited twice – once during a high tide period (2 hours either side of 

high tide) and once during a low tide period (2 hours either side of low tide). Mostly this 

was achieved for each rocky shore on the same day. Because of the exceptional diversity of 

Norah Head and Soldiers Reef a second inspection was carried out to confirm the avian 

usage of those rock platforms. 

Each rocky shore was examined for 20 minutes using 10x42 Swarovski binoculars and, 

where necessary, a 30x high-definition Swarovski spotting telescope. Shores were 

inspected from vantage points and by foot where appropriate. As each shore was divided 

into three sites for the purpose of studying the rock platform invertebrates the birds 

identified were also listed within each site wherever possible. 

4 RESULTS 

4.1 Habitat Assessment 

Based on the habitat classification scheme of five habitat types (platform, crevice, rock 

pools, boulder areas, cobble areas) the habitat assessment revealed very little difference 

between rocky shores in their habitat composition: 6 shores had 4 habitats present, 20 

shores had 5 habitats present (Table 1). This lack of difference among shores was also 

apparent when the 15 shores surveyed for the detailed biodiversity assessment were 

assessed using the more detailed habitat classification scheme that included the platform 

sub-habitats (Table 2): 10 shores had 8 habitats/sub-habitats present, 5 shores had 7 

habitats/sub-habitats present. 

Although the sampling methodology required a number of replicate sites for each 

habitat/sub-habitat to be surveyed at each shore, the required number of sites was not 

always present at each shore (Table 3). For example, only 1 site containing high-shore 

platform was present at Spoon Bay and there was no high-shore platform at Dudley. 

16

Table 1 Habitats present (indicated by X) at 26 rocky shores surveyed in the Gosford, Wyong and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas 

(LGAs) (* rocky shores surveyed in the biodiversity assessments for intertidal organisms and birds). 

Habitat 

LGA 

Shore Platform Crevice Rock pool Cobbles Boulders No. 

habitats 

Gosford Pearl Beach* X X X X 4 

Gosford Box Head X X X X X 5 

Gosford Putty Beach South X X X X X 5 

Gosford Putty Beach X X X X X 5 

Gosford Maitland Bay* X X X X X 5 

Gosford Little Beach* X X X X X 5 

Gosford Copacabana X X X X X 5 

Gosford The Skillion* X X X X X 5 

Gosford Spoon Bay* X X X X X 5 

Gosford Wamberal X X X X 4 

Wyong Crackneck X X X X X 5 

Wyong Blue Lagoon* X X X X X 5 

Wyong Toowoon Bay X X X X X 5 

Wyong Blue Bay X X X X 4 

Wyong The Entrance* X X X X X 5 

Wyong Pelican Reef X X X X X 5 

Wyong Soldiers Reef* X X X X X 5 

Wyong Norah Head* X X X X X 5 

Wyong Birdie Beach X X X X 4 

Wyong Snapper Point* X X X X 4 

Wyong Flat Rock Point X X X X X 5 

Lake Macquarie Catherine Hill Bay* X X X X X 5 

Lake Macquarie Swansea Heads* X X X X 4 

Lake Macquarie Dudley* X X X X X 5 

Lake Macquarie Caves Beach North* X X X X X 5 

Lake Macquarie Leggies* X X X X X 5 

17

Table 2 Habitats and sub-habitats present (indicated by X) at each of the 15 rocky shores at 

which detailed biodiversity assessments were undertaken (HS high-shore platform, MS 

mid-shore platform, Ba mid-shore platform dominated by barnacles, LS low-shore 

platform, Cr crevice, Bo boulders, Co cobbles, RP rock pools). 

Habitat/sub-habitat 

Shore HS MS Ba LS Cr Bo Co RP Total no. 

Pearl Beach X X X X X X X 7 

Maitland Bay X X X X X X X X 8 

Little Beach X X X X X X X X 8 

The Skillion X X X X X X X X 8 

Spoon Bay X X X X X X X X 7 

Blue Lagoon X X X X X X X X 8 

The Entrance X X X X X X X X 8 

Soldiers Reef X X X X X X X X 8 

Norah Head X X X X X X X X 8 

Snapper Point X X X X X X X 7 

Catherine Hill Bay X X X X X X X X 8 

Caves Beach X X X X X X X X 8 

Swansea Heads X X X X X X X 7 

Dudley X X X X X X X 7 

Leggies X X X X X X X X 8 

Table 3 Number of replicate sites sampled for each habitat/sub-habitat at each shore (see 

Table 2 for abbreviations of habitats/sub-habitats). 

Habitat/sub-habitat 

Shore HS MS Ba LS Cr Bo Co RP 

Pearl Beach 3 1 3 3 3 1 0 3 

Maitland Bay 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 

Little Beach 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 

The Skillion 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 

Spoon Bay 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 

Blue Lagoon 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 

The Entrance 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 

Soldiers Reef 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 

Norah Head 3 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 

Snapper Point 3 2 3 3 2 1 0 3 

Catherine Hill Bay 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 

Caves Beach 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 

Swansea Heads 3 3 3 3 1 0 2 3 

Dudley 0 3 2 3 2 2 2 1 

Leggies 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 

18

4.2 Biodiversity Assessment: Intertidal Organisms 

4.2.1 Species Richness and Rare Species 

A total of 230 species were recorded across the 15 rocky shores representing the following 

phyla/divisions: Mollusca (88 species); Rhodophyta (27 species); Phaeophyta (24 species); 

Arthropoda (23 species); Chlorophyta (13 species); Echinodermata (11 species); Annelida 

(11 species); Chordata (10 species); Cnidaria (9 species); Porifera (7 species); Bryozoa (3 

species); Platyhelminthes (2 species); Nemertean (1 species); Cyanobacteria (1 species). 

The highest number of species were recorded at Swansea Head (127 species) and the 

smallest numbers of species (91 species) were recorded at Norah Head and Snapper Point 

(Table 4). There was no difference (t=0.36, P=0.73) in the mean number of species 

between shores with 7 habitats/sub-habitats (mean ± standard error = 111.0 ± 7.23 species) 

and shores with 8 habitats/sub-habitats (108.1 ± 3.74 species). 

Rare species were those that were recorded at 1-2 shores and on this basis 71 species (31% 

total species) were classified as rare. The greatest numbers of rare species occurred at Blue 

Lagoon (15 species) and Swansea Heads (12 species) (Table 4). Catherine Hill Bay was the 

only shore where no rare species were recorded. 

Table 4 Number of species and rare species and summed irreplaceability (Summ IRR) 

value of each shore for intertidal organisms and the number of bird species recorded at each 

shore. 

Intertidal organisms Birds 

Shore No. species Rare species Summ IRR No. species 

Pearl Beach 124 8 24.2 1 

Maitland Bay 125 10 25.9 1 

Little Beach 123 9 23.1 0 

The Skillion 107 8 19.7 2 

Spoon Bay 97 8 17.9 0 

Blue Lagoon 102 15 26.5 7 

The Entrance 93 2 11.3 6 

Soldiers Reef 103 3 14.4 6 

Norah Head 91 7 17.1 10 

Snapper Point 91 3 14.6 4 

Catherine Hill Bay 121 0 19.2 6 

Caves Beach 108 2 14.9 1 

Swansea Heads 127 12 28.6 2 

Dudley 116 4 18.3 2 

Leggies 108 3 15.9 1 

19

4.2.2 Species Assemblages 

The hierarchical clustering dendrogram revealed: (i) the species assemblages across all 

rocky shores were more than 60% similar, and (ii) there was a general trend for shores to 

be more similar to one another moving from left to right on the dendrogram (Figure 2). The 

most dissimilar assemblage occurred at Blue Lagoon (although it was still at least 60% 

similar to all other shores). When grouped at a level of 75% similarity, the rocky shores 

formed 7 groups (Figure 3) consisting of shores with a distinctive assemblage (Blue 

Lagoon, Snapper Point, Norah Head, The Skillion, Swansea Heads), 2 shores sharing an 

assemblage (Spoon Bay, The Entrance) and a group of 8 shores sharing a similar 

assemblage (Maitland Bay, Soldiers Reef, Catherine Hill Bay, Little Beach, Pearl Beach, 

Leggies, Caves Beach, Dudley). The latter group included the most southern (Pearl Beach, 

Maitland Bay) and northern shores (Dudley, Leggies). Interestingly, the only shore 

currently protected (Maitland Bay, within the Bouddi Marine Extension) was not clearly 

distinguished from other shores. 

Similarity 

60 

70 

80 

90 

100 

BL 

SP 

NH 

TS 

SB 

TE 

Figure 2 Cluster dendrogram derived from the species presence-absence data. The shore 

codes are Blue lagoon (BL), Snapper Point (SP), Norah Head (NH), The Skillion (TS), 

Spoon Bay (SB), The Entrance (TE), Swansea Heads (SH), Soldiers Reef (SR), Maitland 

Bay (MB), Catherine Hill Bay (CHB), Little Beach (LB), Pearl Beach (PB), Leggies (Le), 

Caves Beach (CB), Dudley (Du). 

20 

SH 

SR 

MB 

CHB 

LB 

PB 

Le 

CB 

Du

SP 

SH 

PB 

MB 

Du 

CB 

Le 

CHB 

LB 

SR 

TS 

TE 

Figure 3 non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) ordination plot depicting groupings 

of rocky shores according to similarity in their species assemblages (at the level of 75% 

similarity). The location codes are shown in Figure 2. 

4.2.3 Simulated Reserve Selection 

Shores varied greatly in their summed irreplaceabilty values, with Swansea Heads having 

the greatest value (28.5) and the Entrance the lowest (11.3) (Table 4). Thirteen shores (87% 

of all shores in the study area) were required to achieve the goal of representing all the 

species at least once in the simulated reserve network (Figure 4). However, selection of a 

single shore, Swansea Head, included 55.2% of all species and selection of 3 shores 

(Swansea Heads, Blue Lagoon, Little Beach) included 79% of all species. Selection of 6 

shores (40% of all shores) as a reserve network would include more than 90% of the 

species. 

21 

SB 

NH 

Stress: 0.11 

BL

Percentage of species accumulated 

100 

90 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Swansea Head 

Blue Lagoon 

Little Beach 

Maitland Bay 

The Skillion 

Pearl Beach 

Dudley 

Spoon Bay 

Norah Head 

Leggies 

Soldiers Reef 

Caves Beach 

The Entrance 

Snapper Point 


Selected Locations 

Figure 4 Species accumulation curve showing the percentage of all species accumulated in 

shores selected during a simulated reserve selection process by a minimum-set algorithm in 

C-Plan to achieve the conservation goal of each species being represented at least once in a 

reserve. 

4.2.4 Benchmarking Against Other Rock Platforms 

The range in the total number of species per shore recorded in this study (91-127 species) is 

within the range of total number of species recoded at other shores between Pearl Beach 

(Central Coast) and Newcastle by Otway (1999) (66-144), Gladstone (2002) (70-119) and 

Gladstone 2005 (64-103) (Table 5). The number of species of molluscs recorded during 

this study varied between 28 and 52, which is comparable to other studies such as Otway 

(1999) (25-51); Alexander (2002) (26-46); Gladstone (2002) (18-42); Morton (2002) (14- 

64); Gladstone (2005) (25-44) and Loisier (2007) (32-53). 

22

Table 5 Comparison of total number of species and total number of mollusc species 

recorded in other studies on intertidal rocky platforms between Nobbys and Pearl Beach. 

Platform Group 

Otway 

1999 

Alexander 

2002 

23 

Gladstone 

2002 

Morton 

2002 

Gladstone 

2005 

Soldiers Baths All species 72 92 

Molluscs 27 34 35 44 

Cowrie Hole All species 86 

Molluscs 28 

Newcastle Ocean 

Baths All species 87 

Molluscs 31 

Bogey Hole All species 64 

Molluscs 25 

Shepherds Hill All species 103 

Molluscs 44 

Susan Gilmore All species 82 78 

Molluscs 26 29 37 

Ladies Baths All species 83 

Molluscs 35 

Merewether Shelf All species 89 

Molluscs 37 48 

Burwood Shelf All species 73 

Molluscs 29 

Dudley All species 89 

Molluscs 29 25 16 47 

Red Head All species 

Molluscs 19 

Swansea All species 


Catherine Hill Bay All species 


Ghosties All species 


Frazer All species 80 

Molluscs 30 18 14 34 

Birdie All species 70 


Norah Head All species 100 

Molluscs 32 37 21 53 

Entrance All species 


Blue Bay All species 

Molluscs 48 

Toowoon All species 135 

Molluscs 42 44 58 49 

Bateau Bay All species 

Molluscs 28 

Crackneck All species 88 


Yumbool Point All species 66 

Molluscs 24 

Loisier 

2007

Table 5 (cont’d) Comparison of total number of species and total number of mollusc 

species recorded in other studies on intertidal rocky platforms between Nobbys and Pearl 

Beach. 

Platform Group 

Otway 

1999 

Alexander 

2002 

24 

Gladstone 

2002 

Morton 

2002 

Gladstone 

2005 

Wamberal All species 

Molluscs 26 

Terrigal All species 119 


Winney All species 


Copacabana All species 144 

Molluscs 51 37 61 40 

Little Beach All species 


Sunnies All species 

Molluscs 26 

Maitland Bay All species 102 


Bullimah Beach All species 


Killcare All species 95 


Pearl Beach All species 

Molluscs 37 

4.2.5 Size of Species 

4.2.5.1 Molluscs 

All shores had reproductively mature individuals of Cellana tramoserica, Bembicium 

nanum, Nerita atramentosa and Austrocochlea porcata. All shores also contained 

individuals below the size of reproductively maturity (recent recruits). 

For C. tramoserica, different cohorts appeared at different locations indicating different 

recruitments over the different seasons (Figure 5). The minimum size was 2 mm (Leggies 

and Caves Beach) and the max size was 64 mm, observed at Maitland Bay. The largest 

individuals (>50 mm) were recorded at Maitland Bay, Blue Lagoon, The Entrance and 

Dudley. The greatest numbers of large individuals were recorded at Maitland Bay (within 

the Bouddi Marine Extension). 

Distinct cohorts were not apparent for B. nanum (Figure 6). There appeared to be no 

differences between shores in the numbers of large individuals although the largest size 

class (21-24 mm) was only recorded at Dudley. Very few small individuals were present at 

Snapper Point. Distinct cohorts of N. atramentosa were present at Maitland Bay and 

Catherine Hill Bay (Figure 7). The largest size class was present at Maitland Bay, Little 

Beach, Spoon Bay, Blue Lagoon and Soldiers Reef. 

Loisier 

2007

Different cohorts of A. porcata appeared to be present at Blue Lagoon, The Entrance and 

The Skillion (Figure 8). Individuals from the largest size class (25-28 mm) were present at 

Dudley, Spoon Bay, Soldiers Reef, Caves Beach and Swansea Head with the greatest 

numbers of large individuals occurring at Dudley. Numbers of immature individuals 

exceeded mature individuals at most shores except The Entrance, Catherine Hill Bay and 

Dudley. 

25

Figure 5 Size frequency distribution of Cellana tramoserica at the different locations. Size 

class are in mm and n=300 individuals per shore. The arrow indicates the size at sexual 

maturity. 

26

Figure 5 (cont’d) Size frequency distribution of Cellana tramoserica at the different 

locations. Size class are in mm and n=300 individuals per shore. The arrow indicates the 

size at sexual maturity. 

27

Figure 6 Size frequency distribution of Bembicium nanum at the different locations. Size 


maturity. 

28

Figure 6 (cont’d) Size frequency distribution of Bembicium nanum at the different 



29

Figure 7 Size frequency distribution of Nerita atramentosa at the different locations. Size 


maturity. 

30

Figure 7 (cont’d) Size frequency distribution of Nerita atramentosa at the different 



31

Figure 8 Size frequency distribution of Austrocochlea porcata at the different locations. 


sexual maturity. 

32

Figure 8 (cont’d) Size frequency distribution of Austrocochlea porcata at the different 



33

4.2.5.2 Ascidians (Pyura stolonifera) 

Cunjevoi were present at all shores except Snapper Point and 1 site at Spoon Bay, Caves 

Beach and Dudley (Appendix 8.3). All shores had small individuals with a diameter of the 

internal tunic smaller than 18 mm and large individuals with an external diameter greater 

than 67 mm. These results suggest that all locations had juveniles (new recruits) and large 

individuals that may be reproductively mature. 

The smallest internal siphon diameter was 6 mm (Leggies) and the largest internal siphon 

diameter was 66 mm (Leggies). The smallest external siphon diameter was 12 mm (The 

Entrance) and the greater external siphon diameter was 90 mm (Leggies and Swansea 

Heads). The smallest mean size of cunjevoi (between internal and external siphons) was 

27.5 ± 1.5 mm recorded at The Entrance (site 2). The largest mean size of cunjevoi was 

47.4 ± 2.4 mm recorded at Soldiers Reef. Overall, across both sites at each shore, The 

Entrance and Dudley had the smallest and greatest mean size of cunjevoi (33.4 ± 1.1 and 

45.7 ± 1.4 mm respectively). 

4.3 Birds 

The species of birds observed at each shore, and their abundance, are shown in Appendix 

8.4 and the locations of significant roosting sites are shown in Appendix 8.5. A total of 22 

species were recorded (Table 6). The greatest number of species were observed at Norah 

Head (10 species) and Blue Lagoon (7 species) (Table 4). No birds were observed at Little 

Beach or Spoon Bay and only 1 species was observed at each of Pearl Beach, Maitland 

Bay, Caves Beach, and Leggies. The most abundant species observed was the Silver Gull 

with as many as 700 birds recorded roosting at Norah Head. The rarest, most rock-platform 

dependant bird observed was a single sighting of a pair of Eastern Reef Egrets (dark phase) 

at Swansea Heads. 

Additional observations further revealed the importance of 2 shores. A further 3 species 

were recorded at Soldiers Reef (whimbrel, crested tern, common tern) and 2 species were 

recorded at Norah Head (little black cormorant, sooty oystercatcher) (Appendix 8.4). 

The surveys revealed that Norah Head was particularly important for birds. It was observed 

to be a significant high-tide roost for gulls and terns, and a significant low-tide foraging site 

for migratory shorebirds and a roost for gulls and terns (see comments in Appendix 8.4 and 

8.5). 

34

Table 6 Presence (1) and absence (0) of bird species at each rocky shore. The shore codes are Blue lagoon (BL), Snapper Point (SP), Norah 

Head (NH), The Skillion (TS), Spoon Bay (SB), The Entrance (TE), Swansea Heads (SH), Soldiers Reef (SR), Maitland Bay (MB), Catherine 

Hill Bay (CHB), Little Beach (LB), Pearl Beach (PB), Leggies (Le), Caves Beach (CB), Dudley (Du). 

Shore 

Common name Species name PB MB LB TS SB BL TE SR NH SP CHB CB SH Du Le 

Chestnut Teal Anas castanea 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax 

melanoleucos 

0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 

Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 

Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 

White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 

Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 

Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 

Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 

Crested Tern Sterna bergii 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Common Tern Sterna hirundo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Australian Raven Corvus coronoides 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 

Total no. species 1 1 0 2 0 7 6 6 10 4 6 1 2 2 1 

35

5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

Conservation of intertidal biodiversity 

The global biodiversity crisis stresses the need for samples of the variety of species and 

assemblages to be conserved in perpetuity so that future generations can share the same 

experiences as ourselves and to fulfil human society’s moral responsibilities towards 

biodiversity. A further rationale is that different ecosystems and habitats within ecosystems 

(all of which contain different species and assemblages) have different functional values 

and therefore conservation of representative examples of each will ensure maintenance of a 

suite of ecological functions and processes that will support other conservation aims (such 

as connectivity, resilience) and the continued provision of ecosystem goods and services. 

Properly managed marine protected areas (MPAs) are the most appropriate management 

tool to achieve this aim and they vary from large multiple-use marine parks (within which 

areas are zoned for different levels of use with no-take reserves buffered by a zone of less 

restrictive usage) to networks of smaller no-take aquatic reserves. 

Selection of candidate MPAs requires the clear delineation of a set of selection criteria that 

normally fulfil a nation’s agenda for biodiversity conservation. Selection of MPAs within 

Australia, for example, is guided by the criteria of comprehensiveness, adequacy and 

representatives (ANZECC 1998). When these criteria are combined with criteria for 

connectivity, population replenishment and resilience conservation planning can achieve 

multiple objectives for biodiversity conservation and maintenance of ecological functions. 

Deficiencies resulting from a history of ad hoc selection of MPAs are nowadays addressed 

by the use of automated and objective reserve selection software that aim to achieve the 

selection criteria for the minimum cost. 

Conservation planning to represent samples of the variety of biodiversity should ideally be 

based on accurate spatial data, such as databases of the distributions of species, 

assemblages and habitats. The results of this study provide a basis for assigning relative 

conservation value to shores and recommending candidates for future protection (e.g. as 

intertidal protected areas, aquatic reserves, fishing exclusions). The following summary of 

the major results of this study is relevant: 

• Species richness: greatest at Swansea Heads 

• Rare species: greatest at Blue Lagoon and Swansea Heads 

• Assemblage diversity: distinctive species assemblages occurred at Blue Lagoon, 

Swansea, Snapper Point, Norah Head, and the Skillion; at Spoon Bay and the 

Entrance; and across all remaining shores 

• Summed irreplaceability: greatest at Swansea Heads 

• Simulated reserve selection: the 3 most important shores were Swansea Heads, Blue 

Lagoon, and Little Beach 

• Birds: the most important shores were Norah Head and Soldiers Reef 

• All shores contained reproductively mature individuals and recent recruits of the 5 

measured species (4 molluscs and cunjevoi) 

• There was little differentiation among shores in their habitat composition (a 

difference of 4 or 5 habitats and 7 or 8 habitats/sub-habitats) with no difference in 

average species richness between shores with 7 and 8 habitats/sub-habitats 

36

Achieving the protected area selection principles of comprehensiveness and 

representativeness would require 14 rocky shores to be nominated as protected areas. This 

set of 14 shores would include the 13 shores identified by the irreplaceability analysis 

required to include all species as well as Snapper Point (not required by the irreplaceability 

analysis) because it contains a distinct species assemblage. This would ensure protection of 

the range of ecosystem types (assuming the rocky shores with different numbers of habitats 

represented different ecosystem types), and representation of all species and assemblage 

types. The latter would ensure that the principle of representativeness is achieved because 

the full range of biotic diversity of species and assemblages would be represented. It is 

unknown whether this number of shores would ensure adequacy because of a lack of 

understanding for most species of intertidal organisms about the population sizes required 

to ensure population viability and to maintain resilience and integrity (see next paragraph 

also). 

All shores contained new recruits and reproductively mature individuals of the four species 

of gastropods and all shores (except Snapper Point) also contained small and large 

individuals of Pyura stolonifera. The co-occurrence on shores of recent recruits and 

reproductively mature individuals indicates that shores may be resilient to a certain amount 

of disturbance (because local populations may be replenished by recruitment from other 

shores) and that shores can potentially contribute to the recovery and resilience of other 

shores. 

P. stolonifera is also important in terms of monitoring as it is often used for bait. However, 

considerable variation was noted in the measured diameters. Variations in the measured 

diameter of P. stolonifera may be due to the height of sampling on the platform which 

would induce a variation in the amount of water retained by cunjevoi at low tide. The 

variation in diameter sizes could also be due to the weather (temperature/humidity) on the 

sampling day as well as the duration of aerial exposure prior to measurement. 

Birds 

Avian diversity was generally low for most shores. However, three shores were exceptional 

as rock platform avian diversity hotspots: Norah Head (strong promontory), Soldiers Reef 

(semi-detached reef/headland), The Entrance (moderate promontory). As many as five 

species of migratory shorebirds were observed on these rock platforms. These localities 

have many commonalities to the Newcastle rock platform which also had the greatest avian 

diversity in the Newcastle City Council area. Those features include: prominent seaward 

projecting shoreline (promontory), lack of close, high backing cliffs, low wave-washed 

shoreface, and proximity to large coastal lake for additional foraging opportunities. 

For most rock platforms where birds were observed it was evident that the birds chose 

areas that were somewhat isolated from or not directly on the usual human access routes 

onto the rock platforms. This may be a geographic location or because the state of the tide 

precluded easy human access. Some areas such as Soldiers Reef had the greatest diversity 

and abundance of birds at mid to high tide times when the headland became an island and 

people could not gain access. However, when the tide fell and the area should have been 

ideal for foraging, virtually no birds were present because people could access the headland 

in large numbers. 

37

It is highly unlikely that greater avian diversity than recorded herein would be found on 

other rock platforms in the region with steep or abrupt shorefaces and closely backed by 

high cliffs. However, it is possible that there may be additional rock platforms, especially 

promontories with similar characteristic to Norah Head and, in particular, Soldiers Reef, 

that may also host greater than average avian diversity. 

Community participation 

This project’s aim to involve community volunteers in the assessment of rocky shores was 

achieved. A number of Project Aware and other volunteers were educated about the value 

of monitoring and were trained to identify the measured species, to measure accurately 

their length, and to record the data. Community volunteerism (e.g. in monitoring activities) 

is a powerful means of educating people and enhancing community support for coastal 

zone management (Gladstone in press) and there is government support (at all levels) for 

engaging the community where possible in such activities. 

The value of community participation can be compromised if the information collected 

cannot be used for monitoring or other purposes because of doubts about data quality. The 

accuracy of the community volunteers’ data collection was likely to be very high, given the 

training that occurred prior to data collection, the checking during data collection, and the 

presence of at least 1 expert at all times during data collection. Accuracy is also likely to be 

high because only a limited number of easily identified, conspicuous species were assessed. 

In addition, most volunteers participated in more than one monitoring session. 

The only constraint emerging in this study from engaging community volunteers was the 

unexpected delays caused in completing the field surveys for the detailed biodiversity 

assessment. Delays in the progress of the project arose from difficulties in scheduling 

volunteers, unexpected withdrawals, and the need to re-visit shores several times (after the 

biodiversity assessments had been completed) to finalize the monitoring of the measured 

species. These delays are inevitable in volunteerism when people are freely contributing 

their own time to an additional non-essential (i.e. non-family, non-livelihood) activity. 

While not negating the desirability of community participation, such logistical constraints 

should be addressed in the planning for similar studies in the future. 

Current impacts 

There was minimal evidence of human impacts on the intertidal organisms of the rocky 

shores, based on benchmarking of the numbers of species on shores with other studies and 

examination of the size distributions of the 4 measured species. However, it is possible that 

disturbance is occurring by the collection of other species (e.g. sea urchins) or habitat 

damage (e.g. over-turning of cobbles), or that impacts are affecting density rather than sizes 

of individuals. The survey methods provided data on species presence-absence not on the 

abundance of individual species. Disturbance of birds by people, many with off–leash dogs, 

was commonly observed at shores in all Local Government Areas. At low tide Soldiers 

Reef was accessible to people and dogs and the entire area was untenable for birds. 

Much of the study was done during weekdays when and in autumn-winter (for intertidal 

organisms) and spring (for birds). It is therefore possible that human disturbances may be 

greater at other times and the anecdotal observations recorded during the field work may 

under-estimate the amount of human disturbance occurring. 

38

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Despite the desirability of protecting 14 of the 15 rocky shores surveyed to achieve the 

planning principles of comprehensiveness, adequacy and representativeness, this is highly 

unlikely to occur. Therefore, as a basis for further discussion about the preferred number of 

protected areas the following sub-set of shores are recommended as priorities for 

protection: Swansea Heads (Lake Macquarie LGA), Blue Lagoon (Wyong LGA), and 

Norah Head (Wyong LGA). The protection of these 3 shores would achieve: 

• Representation of 74% of intertidal species and 48% of rare species 

• Representation of multiple examples of all habitats/sub-habitats 

• Representation of 3 types of species assemblage (an example of another assemblage 

type is currently protected within the Bouddi National Park Marine Extension) 

• Protection of the most important shore for birds (Norah Head) and overall for 17 

species (77% of total species) of birds 

• Protection of viable populations of the 5 measured species 

In addition to recommending protection for Swansea Heads, Blue Lagoon, and Norah Head 

it is also recommended that programs of community awareness and education be 

established by local councils to promote wider awareness of the significance of these rocky 

shores. These awareness and education programs should be an integral part of a 

management plan developed for each shore by local councils. 

Protection is recommended despite evidence of limited impacts from current human 

activities at any rocky shore in the study area (with the qualifications discussed above). 

Experiences from terrestrial ecosystems and from other marine ecosystems has shown that 

human uses and impacts change through time and frequently increase in response to 

changing patterns of population settlement, recreational activities, and commercial 

interests. Pre-emptive protection is also a means of maintaining the option values of 

ecosystems and of avoiding the high costs of future remediation that may be required to 

address human impacts. 

The recommendation for protection of Swansea Heads, Blue Lagoon, and Norah Head 

should be assessed in conjunction with the following: 

• The recommendation for protection of three shores does not include any shore 

within the Gosford LGA. However, the Bouddi National Park Marine Extension is 

wholly within the boundaries of Gosford LGA and includes a substantial stretch of 

coastline within the Gosford LGA in which intertidal rocky shores are protected 

• An earlier study by Otway (1999) recommended consideration of Tudibaring Head 

(at Copacabana, Gosford LGA) and Toowoon Point (Wyong LGA) as candidate 

aquatic reserves 

• Inclusion of Tudibaring Head and expansion of protection to encompass Toowoon 

Point and Blue Lagoon would address the priority sites of both studies 

Human use studies should be undertaken at the priority candidate shores (Norah Head, 

Swansea, Blue Lagoon) as a basis for informing future management of these shores and as 

a baseline to assess the effectiveness of future management. The study should use the same 

methodology that was used in the human use study of Newcastle rocky shores (Gladstone 

2006) and the sampling should address times of expected highest usage (weekends, low 

tide, school holidays, spring-summer). Given the high level of volunteer participation in 

39

this study it is further recommended that Project Aware volunteers be invited to participate 

in the human use study and trained in the techniques. 

Planning of future similar studies that require participation by community volunteers 

should address the inevitable likelihood of delays and the consequences of this for the 

scope of the project (e.g. number of shores able to be surveyed for the time and financial 

resources available). 

All local governments should be advised about the findings of this study. In particular, 

Lake Macquarie City Council should be advised about the importance of the Swansea 

Heads rocky shore; Wyong Shire Council should be advised about the importance of Norah 

Head and Soldiers Reef for birds and encouraged to develop community education 

programs to minimize human and dog disturbance of the birds, and to consider these 

important values in future environmental management activities in the area of these shores; 

Gosford City Council should be advised about the significance of the Bouddi National Park 

Marine Extension as a representative of assemblage diversity and the findings of the 1999 

study by NSW Fisheries about the importance of Tudibaring Head. 

All councils should be encouraged to enforce regulations that prohibit dogs being off the 

leash on rocky shores. 

Research should be encouraged to understand the importance of the rocky shore 

environment (e.g. as a source of food, shelter, roosting) for birds. 

6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

This study was funded by the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority. 

The authors gratefully acknowledge the CMA’s support for this project and for our ongoing 

work, and in particular thank Brian Hughes for his overall project management and 

valuable advice and input at all stages of the project. We especially thank the Project 

Aware and other volunteers for their invaluable assistance in the field, and also thank 

Jeannie Lawson (Ocean and Coastal Care Initiative) for her role in facilitating the 

involvement of volunteers and her coordination of Project Aware. Thanks to CMA staff for 

comments on the draft report. Laboratory, library and computer facilities used as part of the 

intertidal biodiversity assessment were provided by the University of Newcastle (Ourimbah 

Campus). 

40

7 REFERENCES 

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thesis (School of Applied Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus). 

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Banks SA, Skilleter GA, Possingham HP. 2005. Intertidal habitat conservation: identifying 

conservation targets in the absence of detailed biological information. Aquatic 

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Catterall CP, Poiner IR. 1987. The potential impact of human gathering on shellfish 

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Clarke KR, Warwick RM. 2001. Change in marine communities: an approach to statistical 

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for achieving a conservation goal, its application to real-world planning, and a research 

agenda for further refinement. Biological Conservation 93: 303-325. 

Gaston KJ. 1994. Rarity. Chapman and Hall, Melbourne. 

Gladstone W. 2002. The potential value of indicator groups in the selection of marine 

reserves. Biological Conservation 104: 211-220. 

Gladstone W. 2005. Biodiversity Values of Coastal Rock Platforms in Newcastle (Report 

to Newcastle City Council). 

Gladstone W. 2006. Human Uses of Coastal Rock Platforms in Newcastle (Report to 

Newcastle City Council). 

Gladstone W. In press. Management and conservation of tropical ecosystem interactions IN 

Ecological Interactions Between Tropical Coastal Ecosystems (ed I Nagelkerken). 

Springer, London. 

Keough MJ, Quinn GP. 1998. Effects of periodic disturbances from trampling on rocky 

intertidal algal beds. Ecological Applications 8: 141-161. 

Keough MJ, Quinn GP. 2000. Legislative vs. practical protection of an intertidal shoreline 

in southeastern Australia. Ecological Applications 10: 871-881. 

Keough MJ, Quinn GP, King A. 1993. Correlations between human collecting and 

intertidal mollusc populations on rocky shores. Conservation Biology 7: 378-390. 

41

Kingsford MJ, Underwood AJ, Kennelly SJ. 1991. Humans as predators on rocky reefs in 

New South Wales, Australia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 72: 1-14. 

Loisier A. 2007. A test of the potential effectiveness of rapid biodiversity assessment and 

environmental diversity for the selection of intertidal protected areas (Master of Science 

thesis, University of Newcastle). 

M c Neil SE. 1994. The selection and design of marine protected areas: Australia as a case 

study. Biodiversity and Conservation 3: 586-605. 

Morton J. 2002. A test of the potential use of shore type as a surrogate for biological 

diversity on coastal intertidal rocky shores. BSc Hons thesis (School of Applied Sciences, 

University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus). 

Otway N. 1999. Identification of candidate sites for declaration as aquatic reserves for the 

conservation of rocky intertidal communities in the Hawkesbury Shelf and Batemans Shelf 

bioregions. NSW Fisheries Final Report Series No.28. 

Ponder W, Hutchings P, Chapman R. 2002. Overview of the Conservation of Australian 

Marine Invertebrates. Environment Australia, Canberra. 

Pressey RL. 1998. Algorithms, politics and timber: an example of the role of science in a 

public, political negotiation process over new conservation areas in production forests. In: 

Wills R, Hobbs R (eds.) Ecology for Everyone: Communicating Ecology to Scientists, the 

Public and the Politicians. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney. 

Pressey RL. 1999. Applications of irreplaceability analysis to planning and management 

problems. Parks 9: 42-51. 

Pressey RL, Taffs KH. 2001. Sampling of land types by protected areas: three measures of 

effectiveness applied to western New South Wales. Biological Conservation 101: 105-117. 

Ray GC, Grassle JF. 1991. Marine biological diversity: a scientific program to help 

conserve marine biological diversity is urgently required. Bioscience 41: 453-457. 

Sullivan ME. 1987. A recent prehistoric exploitation of edible mussel in Aboriginal shell 

middens in southern NSW. Archaeology in Oceania 22: 107-111. 

Underwood AJ. 1974. The reproductive cycles and geographical distribution of some 

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Underwood AJ. 1975. Comparative studies on the biology of Nerita atramentosa (Reeve), 

Bembicium nanum (Lamarck) and Cellana tramoserica (Sowerby) (Gastropoda: 

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18:153-172. 

Underwood AJ. 1993. Exploitation of species on the rocky coast of New South Wales 

(Australia) and options for its management. Ocean and Coastal Management 20: 41-62. 

42

8 APPENDICES 

43

8.1 Study Locations 

Appendix 8.1.1: The 3 study sites at Pearl Beach 

Maitlad Bay 

3 

Appendix 8.1.2: The 3 study sites at Maitland Bay 

2 

2 

3 

1 

44 

1 

Pearl Beach

3 

2 

Appendix 8.1.3: The 3 study sites at Little Beach 

Appendix 8.1.4: The 3 study sites at The Skillion 

1 

1 

3 2 

45 

Little Beach 

The Skillion

Appendix 8.1.5: The 3 study sites at Spoon Bay 

Blue Lagoon 

3 

Appendix 8.1.6: The 3 study sites at Blue Lagoon 

3 

2 

2 

1 

1 

46 

Spoon Bay

Appendix 8.1.7: The 3 study sites at The Entrance 

Soldiers Reef 

Appendix 8.1.8: The 3 study sites at Soldiers Reef 

3 

1 

3 

2 

47 

1 

2 

The Entrance

Norah Head 

1 

Appendix 8.1.9: The 3 study sites at Norah Head 

3 

Appendix 8.1.10: The 3 study sites at Snapper Point 

2 

2 

1 

3 

48 

Snapper Point

1 


Appendix 8.1.11: The 3 study sites of Catherine Hill Bay 

Appendix 8.1.12: The 3 study sites at Caves Beach 

2 

1 

2 

3 

3 

Caves Beach 

49

Swansea Head 

Appendix 8.1.13: The 3 study sites at Swansea Head 

Appendix 8.1.14: The 3 study sites at Dudley 

3 

1 

2 

2 

50 

1 

Dudley 

3

Appendix 8.1.15: The 3 study sites at Leggies 

3 

1 

2 

51 

Leggies

8.2 Species of Intertidal Organisms Recorded 

Appendix 8.2.1: Pearl Beach species list 

CYANOBACTERIA PORIFERA MOLLUSCA 

Symploca sp Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Cardiata excavata 

Sponge4, yellow, encrusting, ruffled Cellana tramoserica 

Clypidina rugosa 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Conus alpustre 

CNIDARIA Cronia aurantiaca 

Codium fragile Cronia margiticola 

Codium lucasii Anthothoe albocincta Dicathais orbita 

Codium spongiosum Aulactinia veratra Electroma georgiana 

Enteromorpha intestinalis Cnidopus verater Hinea brasiliana 

Enteromorpha sp Corynactis australis Ischnochiton australis 

Ulva lactuca Holopneustes pycnotilus Ischnochiton elongatus 

Oulactis muscosa Lasaea australis 

Mitrella pulla 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Mitrella semicovexa 

PLATYHELMINTHES Morula marginalba 

Chordoria cladosiphon Nerita atramentosa 

Colpomenia peregrina Notoplana australis Nodilittorina acutispara 

Colpomenia sinuosa Nodilittorina pyramidalis 

Cystophora sp Nodilittorina unifasciata 

Dictyota dichotoma ANNELIDA Notoacmea flammea 

Dilophus marginatus Notoacmea petterdi 

Ecklonia radiata Diopatra dentata Octopus tetricus 

Hormosira banksii Filograna implexa Onitochiton quercinus 

Leathesia difformis Galeoleria caespitosa Patella chapmanii 

Lobophora variegata Idanthyrsus pennatus Patella peronii 

Sargassum sp Serpula sp Patelloida alticostata 

Sargassum vestitum Spirorbid sp Patelloida insignis 

Zonaria angustata Patelloida latistrigata 

Zonaria sp Plaxiphora albida 

ARTHROPODA Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Scutus antipodes 

RHODOPHYTA (red algae) Amphipods sp Siphonaria denticulata 

Austromegabalanus nigrescens Siphonaria diemenensis 

Amphiroa anceps Chamaesipho tasmania Siphonaria funiculata 

Asparagopsis armata Chtamalus antennatus Siphonaria zelandica 

Champia sp Epopella simplex Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Corallina officinalis Ligia australiensis Trichomya hirsuta 

Delisea pulchra Plagusia chabrus Turbo imperialis 

Gelidium pusillum Plagusia glabra Turbo undulatus 

Griffithsia ovalis Tesseropora rosea 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Tetraclitella purpurascens ECHINODERMATA 

Laurencia botryoides Centrostephanus rodgersii 

Porphyra columbina MOLLUSCA Coscinasterias muricata 

Porphyra lucasii Heliocidaris erythrogramma 

Ralfsia sp Acanthochitona sp Heliocidaris tuberculata 

Ralfsia verrucosa Agnewia tritoniformis Patiriella calcar 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Astralium tentoriiforme Patiriella exigua 

Austrocochlea porcata 

Bedeva hanleyi CHORDATA 

PORIFERA Bembicium auratum Herdmania momus 

Bembicium nanum Lepidoblennius haplodactylus 

Chondrilla australiensis Cabestana spengleri Pyura gibbosa gibbosa 

Dendrilla rosea Callochiton crocinus Pyura stolonifera 

Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Cantharidella picturata Tetractenos hamiltoni 

52

Appendix 8.2.2: Maitland Bay species list 

CYANOBACTERIA CNIDARIA MOLLUSCA 

Symploca sp Actinia tenebrosa Elysia australis 

Anthothoe albocincta Haliotis rubra 

Aulactinia veratra Ischnochiton australis 

CHLOROPHYTA (green algae) Cnidopus verater Ischnochiton cariosus 

Holopneustes pycnotilus Ischnochiton elongatus 

Codium fragile Oulactis muscosa Ischnochtion versicolor 

Enteromorpha sp Phlyctenactis tuberculosa Mitrella glabra 

Ulva lactuca Morula marginalba 

Nerita atramentosa 

ANNELIDA Nodilittorina acutispara 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Nodilittorina pyramidali 

Diopatra dentata Nodilittorina unifasciata 

Chordoria cladosiphon Eunice sp Notoacmea flammea 

Colpomenia peregrina Filograna implexa Notoacmea petterdi 

Colpomenia sinuosa Galeoleria caespitosa Octopus tetricus 

Cystophora sp Idanthyrsus pennatus Onitochiton quercinus 

Dictyota ciliolata Serpula sp Patella chapmanii 

Dictyota dichotoma Spirorbid sp Patella peronii 

Ecklonia radiata Patelloida alticostata 

Hormosira banksii Patelloida insignis 

Leathesia difformis ARTHROPODA Patelloida latistrigata 

Lobophora variegata Plaxiphora albida 

Sargassum lacerifolium Amphipods sp Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Sargassum linearifolium Austromegabalanus nigrescens Saccostrea glomerata 

Sargassum sp Catomerus polymerus Siphonaria denticulata 

Sargassum vestitum Chamaesipho tasmania Siphonaria diemenensi 

Scitosiphon lomentaria Chtamalus antennatus Siphonaria funiculata 

Zonaria angustata Epopella simplex Siphonaria zelandica 

Zonaria sp Leptograpsus variegatus Sypharochiton pelliserp 

Ovalipes australiensis Trichomya hirsuta 

Plagusia chabrus Turbo imperialis 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) Plagusia glabra Turbo torquatus 

Tesseropora rosea Turbo undulatus 

Amphiroa anceps Tetraclitella purpurascens Umbraculum sinicum 

Asparagopsis armata 

Corallina officinalis 

Gelidium australe MOLLUSCA ECHINODERMATA 

Gelidium pusillum 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Amblychilepas nigrita Centrostephanus rodge 

Laurencia filiformis Astralium tentoriiforme Coscinasterias muricat 

Porphyra columbina Austrocochlea concamerata Heliocidaris erythrogra 

Ralfsia sp Austrocochlea porcata Heliocidaris tuberculata 

Ralfsia verrucosa Bembicium auratum Ophiopeza cylindrica 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Bembicium nanum Ophiura kinbergi 

Bittium granarium Patiriella calcar 

Cabestana spengleri Patiriella exigua 

PORIFERA Cantharidella picturata 

Cellana tramoserica 

Chondrilla australiensis Ceratosoma brevicaudatum CHORDATA 

Dendrilla rosea Clypidina rugosa Didemnum mosleyi 

Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Cronia margiticola Herdmania momus 

Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Cryptoplax mystica Pyura gibbosa gibbosa 

Dicathais orbita Pyura stolonifera 

Electroma georgiana Tetractenos hamiltoni 

53

Appendix 8.2.3: Little Beach species list 

CYANOBACTERIA RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) MOLLUSCA 

Symploca sp Ralfsia verrucosa Austrocochlea porcata 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Bembicium auratum 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Bembicium nanum 

PORIFERA Cabestana spengleri 

Caulerpa filiformis Callochiton crocinus 

Caulerpa geminata Chondrilla australiensis Cantharidella picturata 

Codium fragile Dendrilla rosea Cellana tramoserica 

Codium lucasii Sponge2, orange, encrusting smooth Clypidina rugosa 

Enteromorpha sp Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Dicathais orbita 

Ulva lactuca Sponge4, yellow, encrusting, ruffled Ischnochiton australis 

Spongia sp Ischnochiton elongatus 

Ischnochtion versicolor 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Morula marginalba 

CNIDARIA Nerita atramentosa 

Chordoria cladosiphon Nodilittorina acutispara 

Colpomenia peregrina Actinia tenebrosa Nodilittorina pyramidalis 

Colpomenia sinuosa Anthothoe albocincta Nodilittorina unifasciata 

Cystophora sp Aulactinia veratra Notoacmea flammea 

Cystophora subfarcinata Cnidopus verater Notoacmea petterdi 

Dictyota ciliolata Holopneustes pycnotilus Onitochiton quercinus 

Dictyota dichotoma Oulactis muscosa Patella chapmanii 

Dilophus marginatus Phlyctenactis tuberculosa Patella peronii 

Ecklonia radiata Phlyctenanthus australis Patelloida alticostata 

Hormosira banksii Patelloida insignis 

Leathesia difformis Patelloida latistrigata 

Lobophora variegata ANNELIDA Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Padina crassa Scutus antipodes 

Phyllospora comosa Diopatra dentata Siphonaria denticulata 

Sargassum lacerifolium Filograna implexa Siphonaria diemenensis 

Sargassum linearifolium Galeoleria caespitosa Siphonaria funiculata 

Sargassum sp Idanthyrsus pennatus Siphonaria zelandica 

Sargassum vestitum Spirorbid sp Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Zonaria angustata Trichomya hirsuta 

Zonaria sp Turbo imperialis 

ARTHROPODA Turbo torquatus 

Turbo undulatus 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) Alope orientalis 

Amphipods sp 

Amphiroa anceps Austromegabalanus nigrescens ECHINODERMATA 

Ceramium sp Catomerus polymerus 

Corallina officinalis Chamaesipho tasmania Centrostephanus rodgersii 

Delisea pulchra Cyclograpsus audouinii Coscinasterias muricata 

Gelidium australe Epopella simplex Heliocidaris erythrogramma 

Gelidium pusillum Leptograpsus variegatus Heliocidaris tuberculata 

gracilaria halogena Pagurus sinuatus Ophionereis schayeri 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Plagusia chabrus Patiriella calcar 

Laurencia botryoides Plagusia glabra Patiriella exigua 

Laurentia elata Tesseropora rosea 

Plocomium cartilagineum Tetraclitella purpurascens 

Plocomium dilatum CHORDATA 

Porphyra columbina 

Porphyra lucasii Gymnothorax prasinus 

Pterocladia capillacea Herdmania momus 

Ralfsia sp Pyura stolonifera 

54

Appendix 8.2.4: The Skillion species list 


Symploca sp Actinia tenebrosa Notoacmea alta 

Anthothoe albocincta Notoacmea flammea 

Aulactinia veratra Notoacmea petterdi 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Cnidopus verater Onitochiton quercinus 

Oulactis muscosa Patella peronii 

Cladophora rugulosa Patelloida alticostata 

Codium lucasii Patelloida insignis 

Enteromorpha sp ANNELIDA Patelloida latistrigata 

Ulva lactuca Pinctada fucata 

Filograna implexa Pinctada maculata 

Galeoleria caespitosa Plaxiphora albida 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Idanthyrsus pennatus Polinices conicus 

Odontosyllis sp Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Colpomenia peregrina Spirorbid sp Saccostrea glomerata 

Colpomenia sinuosa Scutus antipodes 

Cystophora sp Siphonaria denticulata 

Dictyota ciliolata ARTHROPODA Siphonaria funiculata 

Dictyota dichotoma Siphonaria zelandica 

Dilophus marginatus Amphipods sp Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Ecklonia radiata Austromegabalanus nigrescens Trichomya hirsuta 

Ectocarpus sp Catomerus polymerus Turbo torquatus 

Hormosira banksii Chamaesipho tasmania Turbo undulatus 

Lobophora variegata Chtamalus antennatus 

Phyllospora comosa Cyclograpsus audouinii 

Sargassum lacerifolium Epopella simplex BRYOZOA 

Sargassum linearifolium Leptograpsus variegatus 

Sargassum sp Ozius truncatus Bryozoans, white, encrusting 

Sargassum vestitum Plagusia glabra Mucropetraliella ellerii 

Zonaria angustata Tesseropora rosea 

Zonaria sp Tetraclitella purpurascens 

ECHINODERMATA 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) MOLLUSCA Heliocidaris erythrogramma 

Heliocidaris tuberculata 

Amphiroa anceps Austrocochlea porcata Ophionereis schayeri 

Corallina officinalis Bembicium auratum Patiriella calcar 

Gelidium australe Bembicium nanum Patiriella exigua 

Gelidium pusillum Cabestana spengleri Patiriella gunnii 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Callistochiton antiquus 

Laurencia botryoides Cantharidella picturata 

Porphyra columbina Cellana tramoserica CHORDATA 

Ralfsia sp Clypidina rugosa 

Ralfsia verrucosa Cronia aurantiaca Pyura stolonifera 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Dicathais orbita 

Electroma georgiana 

Ischnochiton australis 

PORIFERA Ischnochtion versicolor 

Lasaea australis 

Chondrilla australiensis Mitrella pulla 

Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Morula marginalba 


Nodilittorina acutispara 

Nodilittorina pyramidalis 

Nodilittorina unifasciata 

55

Appendix 8.2.5: Spoon Bay species list 

CYANOBACTERIA ANNELIDA MOLLUSCA 

Symploca sp Galeoleria caespitosa Phasianotrochus eximinus 

Idanthyrsus pennatus Plaxiphora albida 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Spirorbid sp Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Saccostrea glomerata 

Cladophora rugulosa Siphonaria denticulata 

Codium spongiosum ARTHROPODA Siphonaria funiculata 

Enteromorpha intestinalis Siphonaria zelandica 

Ulva lactuca Alope orientalis Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Amphipods sp Tellina botanica 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Austromegabalanus nigrescens Trichomya hirsuta 

Balanus variegatus Turbo undulatus 

Colpomenia peregrina Catomerus polymerus 

Colpomenia sinuosa Chamaesipho tasmania 

Cystophora sp Cyclograpsus audouinii BRYOZOA 

Cystophora subfarcinata Heliograpsus haswellianus 

Dictyota dichotoma Leptograpsus variegatus Bryozoans, white, encrusting 

Ecklonia radiata Paragrapsus sp 

Hormosira banksii Plagusia chabrus 

Padina crassa Tesseropora rosea ECHINODERMATA 

Sargassum sp Tetraclitella purpurascens 

Sargassum vestitum Heliocidaris erythrogramma 

Zonaria angustata Ophiura kinbergi 

Zonaria sp MOLLUSCA Patiriella calcar 

Amblychilepas nigrita 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) Austrocochlea porcata CHORDATA 

Bembicium auratum 

Corallina officinalis Bembicium nanum Bovichtus angustifons 

Gelidium pusillum Cabestana spengleri Lepidoblennius haplodactylus 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Callochiton crocinus Pyura stolonifera 

Laurencia botryoides Cantharidella picturata 

Laurencia filiformis Cellana tramoserica 

Ralfsia sp Clypidina rugosa 

Ralfsia verrucosa Dicathais orbita 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Ischnochiton elongatus 

Ischnochiton lineolatus 


PORIFERA Mitrella pulla 

Mitrella tayloriana 

Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Morula marginalba 

Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Nerita atramentosa 



CNIDARIA Notoacmea alta 

Notoacmea petterdi 

Actinia tenebrosa Octopus tetricus 

Anthothoe albocincta Onitochiton quercinus 

Aulactinia veratra Patella chapmanii 

Holopneustes pycnotilus Patella peronii 

Oulactis muscosa Patelloida alticostata 

Phlyctenactis tuberculosa Patelloida insignis 

Patelloida latistrigata 

Patelloida mimula 

56

Appendix 8.2.6: Blue Lagoon species list 

CYANOBACTERIA PLATYHELMINTHES MOLLUSCA 

Symploca sp Callioplana marginata Notoacmea flammea 


Onitochiton quercinus 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) ANNELIDA Patella chapmanii 

Patella peronii 

Caulerpa brachypus Diopatra dentata Patelloida alticostata 

Chaetomorpha aerea Galeoleria caespitosa Patelloida insignis 

Cladophora rugulosa Hydroides elegans Patelloida latistrigata 

Codium fragile Odontosyllis sp Phasianotrochus eximi 

Codium spongiosum Idanthyrsus pennatus Pinctada albida 

Ulva lactuca Spirorbid sp Saccostrea glomerata 


Siphonaria denticulata 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) ARTHROPODA Siphonaria funiculata 

Siphonaria zelandica 

Colpomenia sinuosa Alope orientalis Sypharochiton pelliserp 

Dictyopteris muelleri Amphipods sp Trichomya hirsuta 

Ecklonia radiata Chamaesipho tasmania Tugali parmophoidea 

Ectocarpus sp Chtamalus antennatus Turbo torquatus 

Hormosira banksii Cyclograpsus audouinii Turbo undulatus 

Padina fraseri Heliograpsus haswellianus 

Sargassum lacerifolium Leptograpsus variegatus 

Sargassum vestitum Ligia australiensis ECHINODERMATA 

Zonaria angustata Pilumnopeus serratifrons 

Zonaria sp Tesseropora rosea Coscinasterias muricat 

Tetraclitella purpurascens Heliocidaris erythrogra 

Patiriella calcar 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) Patiriella exigua 

MOLLUSCA 

Corallina officinalis Aplysia dactylomela 

Gelidium pusillum Astralium tentoriiforme CHORDATA 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Austrocochlea concamerata 

Martensia pavonia Austrocochlea porcata Bovichtus angustifons 

Polisiphonia sp Bembicium auratum Pyura sacciformis 

Porphyra lucasii Bembicium nanum Pyura stolonifera 

Ralfsia verrucosa Cabestana spengleri 

Callochiton crocinus 

Cantharidella picturata 

PORIFERA Cellana tramoserica 


Sponge2, orange, encrusting Dicathais orbita 

Songe3, purple, encrusting, undulating Euchelus aspersus 

Granata imbricata 


CNIDARIA Ischnochiton cariosus 


Actinia tenebrosa Marikellia solida 

Anthothoe albocincta Mitrella pulla 

Aulactinia veratra Mitrella tayloriana 

Oulactis muscosa Morula marginalba 

Balanophyllia bairdiana Nerita atramentosa 

Corynactis australis Nodilittorina acutispara 


Notoacmea alta 

57

Appendix 8.2.7: The Entrance species list 

CYANOBACTERIA ANNELIDA MOLLUSCA 

Symploca sp Diopatra dentata Saccostrea glomerata 

Galeoleria caespitosa Scutus antipodes 

Idanthyrsus pennatus Siphonaria denticulata 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Serpula sp Siphonaria diemenensis 

Spirorbid sp Siphonaria funiculata 

Codium lucasii Siphonaria zelandica 

Codium spongiosum Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Enteromorpha linza ARTHROPODA Trichomya hirsuta 

Enteromorpha sp Turbo undulatus 

Ulva lactuca Amphipods sp 

Austromegabalanus nigrescens 

Catomerus polymerus BRYOZOA 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Chamaesipho tasmania 

Heliograpsus haswellianus Bryozoans, white, encrusting 

Colpomenia peregrina Leptograpsus variegatus 

Cystophora sp Plagusia chabrus 

Dictyota dichotoma Plagusia glabra ECHINODERMATA 

Dilophus marginatus Tesseropora rosea 

Ecklonia radiata Coscinasterias muricata 

Hormosira banksii Patiriella calcar 

Padina crassa MOLLUSCA Patiriella exigua 

Padina fraseri 

Sargassum sp Acanthochitona sp 

Sargassum vestitum Agnewia tritoniformis CHORDATA 

Zonaria angustata Aplysia gigantea 

Zonaria sp Austrocochlea porcata Pyura stolonifera 


Bembicium nanum 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) Cabestana spengleri 


Corallina officinalis Cantharidella picturata 

Gelidium pusillum Cellana tramoserica 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Clypidina rugosa 

Laurencia botryoides Dicathais orbita 

Porphyra lucasii Ischnochiton cariosus 

Ralfsia sp Ischnochiton elongatus 

Ralfsia verrucosa Ischnochtion versicolor 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Morula marginalba 



PORIFERA Nodilittorina pyramidalis 


Sponge2, orange, encrusting smooth Notoacmea alta 

Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Notoacmea petterdi 

Sponge4, yellow, encrusting, ruffled Octopus tetricus 


Patella chapmanii 

CNIDARIA Patella peronii 

Patelloida alticostata 

Actinia tenebrosa Patelloida insignis 

Anthothoe albocincta Patelloida latistrigata 

Aulactinia veratra Plaxiphora albida 

Oulactis muscosa Rhyssoplax jugosa 

58

Appendix 8.2.8: Soldiers Reef species list 


Symploca sp Aulactinia veratra Patella chapmanii 

Cnidopus verater Patella peronii 

Holopneustes pycnotilus Patelloida alticostata 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Oulactis muscosa Patelloida insignis 

Patelloida latistrigata 

Enteromorpha intestinalis Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Enteromorpha sp ANNELIDA Saccostrea glomerata 

Ulva lactuca Scutus antipodes 

Diopatra dentata Siphonaria denticulata 

Galeoleria caespitosa Siphonaria diemenensis 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Idanthyrsus pennatus Siphonaria funiculata 

Spirorbid sp Siphonaria zelandica 

Colpomenia peregrina Sypharochiton pelliserpen 

Colpomenia sinuosa Trichomya hirsuta 

Cystophora sp ARTHROPODA Turbo torquatus 

Dictyota dichotoma Turbo undulatus 

Ecklonia radiata Amphipods sp Umbraculum sinicum 

Hormosira banksii Austromegabalanus nigrescens 

Padina crassa Chamaesipho tasmania 

Padina fraseri Chtamalus antennatus ECHINODERMATA 

Phyllospora comosa Leptograpsus variegatus 

Sargassum sp Plagusia glabra Centrostephanus rodgers 

Sargassum vestitum Tesseropora rosea Coscinasterias muricata 

Zonaria angustata Tetraclitella purpurascens Heliocidaris erythrogramm 

Zonaria sp Ophiura kinbergi 


MOLLUSCA Patiriella exigua 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) 

Amblychilepas nigrita 

Corallina officinalis Aplysia dactylomela CHORDATA 

Delisea pulchra Astralium tentoriiforme 

Gelidium pusillum Austrocochlea porcata Herdmania momus 

Griffithsia ovalis Bembicium auratum Pyura stolonifera 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Bembicium nanum 

Laurencia botryoides Cabestana spengleri 

Laurentia brongniartil Callochiton crocinus 

Martensia pavonia Cantharidella picturata 

Porphyra columbina Cellana tramoserica 

Porphyra lucasii Clypidina rugosa 

Ralfsia verrucosa Cyprae vitellus 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Dicathais orbita 


PORIFERA Ischnochiton elongatus 


Chondrilla australiensis Mitrella pulla 

Dendrilla rosea Mitrella tayloriana 

Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Morula marginalba 

Sponge4, yellow, encrusting, ruffled Nerita atramentosa 

Spongia sp Nodilittorina acutispara 

Nodilittorina pyramidalis 


CNIDARIA Notoacmea petterdi 

Actinia tenebrosa Octopus tetricus 

Anthothoe albocincta Onitochiton quercinus 

59

Appendix 8.2.9: Norah Head species list 

CYANOBACTERIA ARTHROPODA MOLLUSCA 

Symploca sp Austromegabalanus nigrescens Trichomya hirsuta 

Catomerus polymerus Turbo torquatus 

Chamaesipho tasmania Turbo undulatus 

CHLOROPHYTA Cyclograpsus audouinii 

Epopella simplex 

Ulva lactuca Leptograpsus variegatus BRYOZOA 

Plagusia chabrus 

Plagusia glabra Mucropetraliella ellerii 

PHAEOPHYTA Tesseropora rosea 

Tetraclitella purpurascens 

Colpomenia sinuosa ECHINODERMATA 

Dilophus marginatus 

Ecklonia radiata MOLLUSCA Heliocidaris erythrogramma 

Ectocarpus sp Ophiura kinbergi 

Hormosira banksii Amblychilepas nigrita Patiriella calcar 

Padina fraseri Austrocochlea concamerata Patiriella exigua 

Phyllospora comosa Austrocochlea porcata 

Sargassum vestitum Bembicium auratum 

Zonaria angustata Bembicium nanum CHORDATA 

Cabestana spengleri 

Callochiton crocinus Pyura sacciformis 

RHODOPHYTA Cantharidella picturata Pyura stolonifera 


Chondria armata Clypidina rugosa 

Corallina officinalis Dicathais orbita 

Gelidium australe Granata imbricata 

Gelidium glandulaefolium Ischnochiton australis 

Gelidium pusillum Ischnochtion versicolor 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Mitrella tayloriana 

Ralfsia sp Morula marginalba 



PORIFERA Nodilittorina pyramidalis 


Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Notoacmea alta 

Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Notoacmea flammea 



CNIDARIA Patella chapmanii 

Patella peronii 

Anthothoe albocincta Patelloida alticostata 

Aulactinia veratra Patelloida insignis 

Corynactis australis Patelloida latistrigata 

Oulactis muscosa Phyllocoma speciosa 

Pinctada fucata 

Pinctada maculata 

ANNELIDA Plaxiphora albida 

Diopatra dentata Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Galeoleria caespitosa Saccostrea glomerata 

Hydroides elegans Scutus antipodes 

Idanthyrsus pennatus Siphonaria denticulata 

Odontosyllis sp Siphonaria funiculata 

Sabellastarte sp Siphonaria zelandica 

Spirorbid sp Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

60

Appendix 8.2.10: Snapper Point species list 


Symploca sp Chondrilla australiensis Scutus antipodes 

Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Siphonaria denticulata 

Spongia sp Siphonaria diemenensis 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Siphonaria funiculata 

Siphonaria zelandica 

Caulerpa geminata CNIDARIA Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Chaetomorpha aerea Turbo undulatus 

Codium lucasii Actinia tenebrosa 

Codium spongiosum Anthothoe albocincta 

Enteromorpha sp Aulactinia veratra ECHINODERMATA 

Microdictyon umbilicatum Cnidopus verater 

Ulva lactuca Oulactis muscosa Heliocidaris erythrogramma 


PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) ANNELIDA 

CHORDATA 

Chordoria cladosiphon Filograna implexa 

Colpomenia peregrina Galeoleria caespitosa Pyura gibbosa gibbosa 

Cystophora sp 

Dictyopteris muelleri 

Pyura stolonifera 

Dictyota ciliolata ARTHROPODA 

Dictyota dichotoma Amphipods sp 

Dilophus marginatus Austromegabalanus nigrescens 

Ecklonia radiata Catomerus polymerus 

Ectocarpus sp Chamaesipho tasmania 

Hormosira banksii Plagusia chabrus 

Lobophora variegata Plagusia glabra 

Padina fraseri Tesseropora rosea 

Phyllospora comosa 

Sargassum lacerifolium 

Sargassum linearifolium 

Tetraclitella purpurascens 

Sargassum sp 

Sargassum vestitum 

MOLLUSCA 

Zonaria angustata Acanthochitona sp 

Austrocochlea porcata 

Bembicium nanum 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) Callochiton crocinus 


Amphiroa anceps Clypidina rugosa 

Asparagopsis armata Cronia aurantiaca 

Corallina officinalis Dicathais orbita 

Gelidium australe Morula marginalba 

Gelidium pusillum Nerita atramentosa 

gracilaria halogena Nodilittorina acutispara 

Griffithsia ovalis Nodilittorina pyramidalis 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Nodilittorina unifasciata 

Laurencia botryoides Notoacmea flammea 

Laurentia elata Notoacmea petterdi 

Porphyra columbina Onitochiton quercinus 

Porphyra lucasii Patella peronii 

Ralfsia sp Patelloida insignis 

Ralfsia verrucosa Patelloida latistrigata 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Phyllocoma speciosa 

Rhyssoplax jugosa 

61

Appendix 8.2.11: Catherine Hill Bay species list 


Symploca sp Sponge3, purple, encrusting, ondulating Cellana tramoserica 

Sponge4, yellow, encrusting, ruffled Clypidina rugosa 

Spongia sp Dicathais orbita 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Haliotis rubra 


Caulerpa geminata CNIDARIA Ischnochiton cariosus 

Codium lucasii Ischnochiton elongatus 

Enteromorpha sp Actinia tenebrosa Ischnochtion versicolor 

Ulva lactuca Anthothoe albocincta Mitrella pulla 

Aulactinia veratra Morula marginalba 

Holopneustes pycnotilus Nerita atramentosa 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Oulactis muscosa Nodilittorina acutispara 

Phlyctenactis tuberculosa Nodilittorina pyramidalis 

Chordoria cladosiphon Phlyctenanthus australis Nodilittorina unifasciata 

Colpomenia peregrina Notoacmea petterdi 

Colpomenia sinuosa Octopus tetricus 

Cystophora sp ANNELIDA Onitochiton quercinus 

Dictyota ciliolata Patella chapmanii 

Dictyota dichotoma Diopatra dentata Patella peronii 

Hormosira banksii Filograna implexa Patelloida alticostata 

Leathesia difformis Galeoleria caespitosa Patelloida insignis 

Lobophora variegata Idanthyrsus pennatus Patelloida latistrigata 

Padina crassa Serpula sp Pinctada maculata 

Sargassum lacerifolium Spirorbid sp Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Sargassum linearifolium Saccostrea glomerata 

Sargassum sp Scutus antipodes 

Sargassum vestitum ARTHROPODA Siphonaria denticulata 

Scitosiphon lomentaria Siphonaria diemenensis 

Zonaria angustata Amphipods sp Siphonaria funiculata 

Zonaria sp Austromegabalanus nigrescens Siphonaria zelandica 

Chamaesipho tasmania Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Epopella simplex Trichomya hirsuta 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) Leptograpsus variegatus Turbo imperialis 

Plagusia chabrus Turbo torquatus 

Amphiroa anceps Plagusia glabra Turbo undulatus 

Asparagopsis armata Tesseropora rosea Umbraculum sinicum 

Corallina officinalis Tetraclitella purpurascens 

Gelidium australe 

Gelidium pusillum ECHINODERMATA 

Griffithsia ovalis MOLLUSCA 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Centrostephanus rodgersii 

Laurencia botryoides Amblychilepas nigrita Coscinasterias muricata 

Laurentia elata Aplysia dactylomela Heliocidaris erythrogramma 

Porphyra lucasii Aplysia gigantea Heliocidaris tuberculata 

Ralfsia sp Astralium tentoriiforme Patiriella calcar 

Ralfsia verrucosa Austrocochlea concamerata Patiriella exigua 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Austrocochlea porcata 

Bedeva hanleyi 

Bembicium auratum CHORDATA 

PORIFERA Bembicium nanum 

Cabestana spengleri Herdmania momus 

Chondrilla australiensis Callochiton crocinus Pyura stolonifera 

Dendrilla rosea Cantharidella picturata 

Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Cardiata excavata 

62

Appendix 8.2.12: Caves Beach species list 


Symploca sp Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Nodilittorina acutispara 

Sponge4, yellow, encrusting, ruffled Nodilittorina pyramidalis 


CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Notoacmea petterdi 

CNIDARIA Octopus tetricus 

Caulerpa filiformis Onitochiton quercinus 

Codium fragile Actinia tenebrosa Patella chapmanii 

Codium lucasii Anthothoe albocincta Patella peronii 

Enteromorpha intestinalis Aulactinia veratra Patelloida alticostata 

Enteromorpha sp Cnidopus verater Patelloida insignis 

Ulva lactuca Oulactis muscosa Patelloida latistrigata 

Phyllocoma speciosa 

Rhyssoplax jugosa 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) ANNELIDA Saccostrea glomerata 


Chordoria cladosiphon Diopatra dentata Siphonaria denticulata 

Colpomenia peregrina Filograna implexa Siphonaria diemenensis 

Colpomenia sinuosa Galeoleria caespitosa Siphonaria funiculata 

Cystophora sp Idanthyrsus pennatus Siphonaria zelandica 

Dictyopteris muelleri Spirorbid sp Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Dictyota ciliolata Trichomya hirsuta 

Dictyota dichotoma Turbo torquatus 

Ecklonia radiata ARTHROPODA Turbo undulatus 

Hormosira banksii 

Leathesia difformis Amphipods sp 

Lobophora variegata Austromegabalanus nigrescens ECHINODERMATA 

Padina crassa Chamaesipho tasmania 

Phyllospora comosa Chtamalus antennatus Coscinasterias muricata 

Sargassum lacerifolium Epopella simplex Heliocidaris tuberculata 

Sargassum sp Plagusia glabra Patiriella calcar 

Sargassum vestitum Tesseropora rosea 

Zonaria angustata Tetraclitella purpurascens 

Zonaria sp CHORDATA 

RHODOPHYTA (Red Algae) MOLLUSCA Lepidoblennius haplodactylus 

Pyura stolonifera 

Amphiroa anceps Acanthochitona sp Tetractenos hamiltoni 

Asparagopsis armata Amblychilepas nigrita 

Corallina officinalis Aplysia gigantea 

Delisea pulchra Austrocochlea porcata 

Gelidium pusillum Bembicium nanum 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Cabestana spengleri 

Laurencia botryoides Callochiton crocinus 

Plocomium cartilagineum Cantharidella picturata 

Porphyra columbina Cellana tramoserica 

Porphyra lucasii Clypidina rugosa 

Ralfsia sp Dicathais orbita 

Ralfsia verrucosa Haliotis rubra 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Ischnochiton australis 


PORIFERA Mitrella pulla 


Dendrilla rosea Morula marginalba 

Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Nerita atramentosa 

63

Appendix 8.2.13: Swansea Head species list 


Symploca sp Sponge2, orange, encrusting smooth Cronia margiticola 

Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Cryptoplax mystica 

Spongia sp Dicathais orbita 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Electroma georgiana 

Eurytrochus strangei 

Caulerpa filiformis CNIDARIA Granata imbricata 

Codium fragile Haliotis rubra 

Codium lucasii Actinia tenebrosa Ischnochiton elongatus 

Codium spongiosum Anthothoe albocincta Ischnochiton lineolatus 

Enteromorpha intestinalis Aulactinia veratra Ischnochtion versicolor 

Enteromorpha linza Cnidopus verater Mitrella australis 

Enteromorpha sp Corynactis australis Mitrella pulla 

Ulva lactuca Oulactis muscosa Mitrella semicovexa 


Morula marginalba 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) ANNELIDA Neodoris chrysoderma 


Chordoria cladosiphon Diopatra dentata Nodilittorina acutispara 

Colpomenia peregrina Filograna implexa Nodilittorina pyramidalis 

Colpomenia sinuosa Galeoleria caespitosa Nodilittorina unifasciata 

Cystophora sp Idanthyrsus pennatus Notoacmea flammea 

Dictyota ciliolata Odontosyllis sp Onitochiton quercinus 

Dictyota dichotoma Spirorbid sp Patella chapmanii 

Dilophus marginatus Patella peronii 

Ecklonia radiata Patelloida alticostata 

Hormosira banksii ARTHROPODA Patelloida insignis 

Lobophora variegata Patelloida latistrigata 

Padina crassa Alope orientalis Plaxiphora albida 

Padina fraseri Austromegabalanus nigrescens Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Phyllospora comosa Chtamalus antennatus Scutus antipodes 

Sargassum sp Dittosa undecimspinosa Siphonaria denticulata 

Sargassum vestitum Heliograpsus haswellianus Siphonaria funiculata 

Scitosiphon lomentaria Leptograpsus variegatus Siphonaria zelandica 

Zonaria angustata Ovalipes australiensis Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Zonaria sp Plagusia chabrus Trichomya hirsuta 

Plagusia glabra Turbo torquatus 

Tesseropora rosea Turbo undulatus 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) Tetraclitella purpurascens 

BRYOZOA 

Amphiroa anceps Bryozoans, white, encrusting 

Asparagopsis armata MOLLUSCA 

Corallina officinalis Acanthochitona sp 

Gelidium pusillum Amblychilepas nigrita ECHINODERMATA 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Astralium tentoriiforme Centrostephanus rodgersii 

Laurencia botryoides Austrocochlea porcata Coscinasterias muricata 

Porphyra columbina Bedeva hanleyi Heliocidaris tuberculata 

Porphyra lucasii Bembicium nanum Patiriella calcar 

Ralfsia sp Berthellina citrina Patiriella exigua 

Ralfsia verrucosa Bittium granarium 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Brachidontes rostratus CHORDATA 

Cabestana spengleri Gymnothorax prasinus 

PORIFERA Callochiton crocinus Lepidoblennius haplodactylus 

Cantharidella picturata Pyura stolonifera 

Chondrilla australiensis Cellana tramoserica Tetractenos hamiltoni 

Dendrilla rosea Clypidina rugosa 

64

Appendix 8.2.14: Dudley species list 


Symploca sp Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Cellana tramoserica 

Sponge3, purple, encrusting, undulating Clypidina rugosa 

Sponge4, yellow, encrusting, ruffled Cyprae xanthodon 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Spongia sp Dicathais orbita 

Electroma georgiana 

Caulerpa filiformis Ischnochiton australis 

Codium fragile CNIDARIA Ischnochiton cariosus 

Codium lucasii Ischnochtion versicolor 

Enteromorpha intestinalis Actinia tenebrosa Mitrella pulla 

Enteromorpha sp Anthothoe albocincta Mitrella tayloriana 

Ulva lactuca Aulactinia veratra Morula marginalba 

Cnidopus verater Nerita atramentosa 

Holopneustes pycnotilus Nodilittorina acutispara 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Oulactis muscosa Nodilittorina unifasciata 

Phlyctenactis tuberculosa Notoacmea flammea 

Chordoria cladosiphon Notoacmea petterdi 

Colpomenia peregrina Onitochiton quercinus 

Colpomenia sinuosa ANNELIDA Patella peronii 

Cystophora sp Patelloida insignis 

Dictyota ciliolata Diopatra dentata Phasianotrochus eximinus 

Dictyota dichotoma Filograna implexa Plaxiphora albida 

Dilophus marginatus Galeoleria caespitosa Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Ecklonia radiata Idanthyrsus pennatus Saccostrea glomerata 

Hormosira banksii Spirorbid sp Scutus antipodes 

Leathesia difformis Siphonaria denticulata 

Lobophora variegata Siphonaria diemenensis 

Padina crassa ARTHROPODA Siphonaria funiculata 

Sargassum lacerifolium Siphonaria zelandica 

Sargassum linearifolium Amphipods sp Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Sargassum sp Austromegabalanus nigrescens Trichomya hirsuta 

Sargassum vestitum Chamaesipho tasmania Turbo imperialis 

Zonaria angustata Chtamalus antennatus Turbo undulatus 

Zonaria sp Dittosa undecimspinosa 

Heliograpsus haswellianus 

Leptograpsus variegatus BRYOZOA 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) Plagusia chabrus 

Plagusia glabra Bryozoans, orange, encrusting 

Amphiroa anceps Tesseropora rosea 

Asparagopsis armata Tetraclitella purpurascens 

Corallina officinalis ECHINODERMATA 

Gelidium pusillum 

Hildenbrandia prototypus MOLLUSCA Coscinasterias muricata 

Laurencia botryoides Heliocidaris erythrogramma 

Porphyra columbina Acanthochitona sp Patiriella calcar 

Porphyra lucasii Amblychilepas javanicensis Patiriella exigua 

Ralfsia sp orange Austrocochlea concamerata 

Ralfsia verrucosa brown Austrocochlea porcata 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Bedeva hanleyi CHORDATA 


Bembicium nanum Lepidoblennius haplodactylus 

PORIFERA Cabestana spengleri Pyura stolonifera 


Sponge1, black, encrusting, smooth Cantharidella picturata 

Dendrilla rosea Cardiata excavata 

65

Appendix 8.2.15: Leggies species list 


Symploca sp Actinia tenebrosa Morula marginalba 

Aulactinia veratra Nerita atramentosa 

Cnidopus verater Nodilittorina acutispara 

CHLOROPHYTA (Green algae) Holopneustes pycnotilus Nodilittorina pyramidalis 

Oulactis muscosa Nodilittorina unifasciata 

Caulerpa filiformis Phlyctenactis tuberculosa Notoacmea flammea 

Codium fragile Phlyctenanthus australis Notoacmea petterdi 

Codium lucasii Octopus tetricus 

Codium spongiosum Onitochiton quercinus 

Enteromorpha sp ANNELIDA Patella peronii 

Ulva lactuca Patelloida insignis 

Diopatra dentata Patelloida latistrigata 

Filograna implexa Phasianotrochus eximinus 

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown algae) Galeoleria caespitosa Rhyssoplax jugosa 

Idanthyrsus pennatus Saccostrea glomerata 

Colpomenia peregrina Spirorbid sp Scutus antipodes 

Colpomenia sinuosa Siphonaria denticulata 

Cystophora sp Siphonaria funiculata 

Dilophus marginatus ARTHROPODA Siphonaria zelandica 

Ecklonia radiata Sypharochiton pelliserpentis 

Hormosira banksii Amphipods sp Trichomya hirsuta 

Leathesia difformis Catomerus polymerus Turbo undulatus 

Lobophora variegata Chamaesipho tasmania 

Padina crassa Chtamalus antennatus 

Padina fraseri Dittosa undecimspinosa ECHINODERMATA 

Sargassum lacerifolium Epopella simplex 

Sargassum linearifolium Leptograpsus variegatus Centrostephanus rodgersii 

Sargassum sp Plagusia glabra Heliocidaris erythrogramma 

Sargassum vestitum Tesseropora rosea Heliocidaris tuberculata 

Zonaria angustata tetraclitella purpurascens Patiriella calcar 

Zonaria sp Uca vomeris Patiriella exigua 

RHODOPHYTA (Red algae) MOLLUSCA CHORDATA 

Amphiroa anceps Amblychilepas nigrita Botrylloides leachi 

Corallina officinalis Astralium tentoriiforme Lepidoblennius haplodactylus 

Gelidium pusillum Austrocochlea porcata Pyura stolonifera 

Hildenbrandia prototypus Bembicium auratum Tetractenos hamiltoni 

Laurentia elata Bembicium nanum 

Porphyra columbina Cabestana spengleri 

Porphyra lucasii Callochiton crocinus 

Ralfsia sp Cantharidella picturata 

Ralfsia verrucosa Cardiata excavata 

Unknow red algae1, brown, smooth Cellana tramoserica 


Conus alpustre 

PORIFERA Dicathais orbita 


Dendrilla rosea Ischnochiton elongatus 

Sponge2, orange, encrusting, smooth Ischnochtion versicolor 

Mitrella pulla 


66

8.3 Cunjevoi (Pyura stolonifera) 

Appendix 8.3.1: Measurements of cunjevoi (Pyura stolonifera). Range sizes (mm), average inner and outer diameters (mm) of the 50 cunjevoi 

were measured at each site. The mean and standard error were measured for each location at each site; also the total mean diameter ± standard 

error was given for each location. 

Location Range Inner Ø Range Outer Ø 

1st site 2nd site Total 

MEAN ± 

Standard 

Error 

Range Inner Ø Range Outer Ø 

67 

MEAN ± 

Standard 

Error 

Range 

MEAN ± 

Standard 

Error 

Pearl Beach 12;39 28.4 ± 1.5 22;66 42.7 ± 1.4 35.5 ± 1.3 12;42 27.9 ± 1.2 22;67 45.8 ± 1.7 37.2 ± 1.4 16;67 36.4 ± 0.9 

Maitland Bay 12;41 34.1 ± 1.4 22;75 53.8 ± 2.1 44.2 ± 1.7 12;42 30.9 ± 1.5 24;88 51.6 ± 2.1 41.2 ± 1.7 12;88 42.7 ± 1.2 

Little Beach 12;44 30.1 ± 1.1 25;72 50.4 ± 1.4 40.3 ± 1.2 11;49 33.3 ± 1.1 24;78 55.7 ± 1.6 44.4 ± 1.3 11;78 42.4 ± 0.9 

The Skillion 15;34 26.3 ± 1.0 25;67 43.7 ± 1.3 35.0 ± 1.1 14;40 25.4 ± 0.9 20;65 39.4 ± 1.3 32.4 ± 1.0 14;67 33.7 ± 0.7 

Spoon Bay 12;48 28.8 ± 1.5 22;71 45.7 ± 2.1 37.2 ± 1.8 _ _ _ _ _ 12;71 37.2 ± 0.7 

Bateau Bay 9;45 26.0 ± 1.2 20;71 48.1 ± 2.2 37.1 ± 1.8 11;53 26.4 ± 1.5 19;81 43.7 ± 2.2 35.1 ± 1.8 9;81 36.1 ± 1.2 

The Entrance 15;60 30.4 ± 1.1 24;70 48.2 ± 1.6 39.3 ± 1.3 7;42 20.9 ± 1.3 12;61 34 ± 1.7 27.5 ± 1.5 7;70 33.4 ± 1.1 

Soldiers Reef 16;62 33.8 ± 1.9 26;71 50.8 ± 2.4 42.3 ± 2.2 14;62 37.7 ± 2.0 24;82 57.1 ± 2.8 47.4 ± 2.4 14;82 44.9 ± 1.6 

Norah Head 12;46 28.8 ± 1.1 30;78 50.2 ± 1.6 39.5 ± 1.3 14;46 31.8 ± 1.1 34;71 54.5 ± 1.5 43.2 ± 1.2 12;78 41.3 ± 0.9 

Snapper Point _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Catherine Hill Bay 12;47 29.7 ± 1.3 25;74 47.3 ± 1.7 38.4 ± 1.5 15;47 31.7 ± 1.1 27;74 50.8 ± 1.5 40.9 ± 1.3 12;74 39.7 ± 1.0 

Caves Beach 10;46 31.9 ± 1.4 17;73 49.7 ± 2.1 41.1 ± 1.7 _ _ _ _ _ 10;73 41.1 ± 1.7 

Swansea Heads 11;52 27 ± 1.6 18;86 43.1 ± 2.2 35.7 ± 1.9 14;62 34.2 ± 1.8 26;90 55.0 ± 2.7 45.1 ± 2.3 11;90 40.4 ± 1.5 

Dudley 18;59 35.4 ± 1.2 30;82 55.9 ± 1.7 45.7 ± 1.4 _ _ _ _ _ 18;82 45.7 ± 1.4 

Leggies 6;66 31.1 ± 1.4 20;90 50.1 ± 1.9 40.6 ± 1.7 12;44 31.0 ± 1.0 23;69 50.2 ± 1.4 40.6 ± 1.2 6;90 40.6 ± 1.0

8.4 Bird Survey Results 

Tuesday 9 October High tide Observations Comments Low Tide Observations Comments 

High tide (7.01am) Low tide (1.01pm) 

Swansea 7.10‐7.30am 1.20‐1.40pm 

Site 1 No birds 2 Eastern Reef Egrets Foraging 100m north of Area 1 

Site 2 No birds 

No birds Family groups & a dog all over Areas 

1, 2 & 3 

Site 3 7 Whimbrel foraging & resting No birds 

Caves Beach 7.50‐8.10am 12.20‐12.40pm 

Site 1 No birds 8.05am Wave washed No birds 

Site 2 1 Great Cormorant Wave washed No birds 

Site 3 No birds Wave washed No birds 

68 

Several family groups in Areas 1 & 2 

Catherine Hill 

Bay 8.55‐9.15am 11.35‐11.45am 

Site 1 No birds 1 Pied Oystercatcher Foraging 

Site 2 1 White‐faced Heron Foraging 

1 Whimbrel Resting & foraging 

1 Great Cormorant Resting 

1 Little Pied Cormorant Foraging in rock pools 

Site 3 1 Whistling Kite (flying) No birds 2 fishermen on shoreline 

Coal loader jetty 9.15am 11.45am 

4 Great Cormorants 4 Great Cormorants 

2 Little Black Cormorants 3 Little Black Cormorants 

2 Pied Cormorants

Wednesday High tide Observations Comments Low Tide Observations Comments 

10‐Oct High tide 7.33am Low tide 1.40pm 

Snapper Point 7.30‐7.50am 2.10‐2.30pm 

Site 1 No birds 1 fisherman 

1 Little Pied Cormorant Resting and preening 

5 Silver Gulls Watching a fisherman 

Site 2 1 Sooty Oystercatcher Foraging No birds 

Site 3 1 Sooty Oystercatcher Same bird as in Area 2 1 White‐faced Heron Foraging 

Norah Head 8.25‐8.45am 1.40‐2.00pm 

Site 1 1 Great Cormorant, 4 Pied 

Cormorant 

Site 2 1 Common Tern, 22 Crested 

Tern, 300 Silver Gull 

Significant high‐tide roost for 

gulls and terns. Gulls arriviving 

and departing constantly 

69 

8 Great Cormorant, 5 Pied 

Cormorant, 2 Australian 

Pelican, 

5 Pacific Golden Plover, 

12 Ruddy Turnstone, 12 

Red‐necked Stint, 2 Grey‐ 

tailed Tattler, 24 Crested 

Tern, 700 Silver Gull 

Site 3 No birds No birds 1 fisherman 

Soldiers Point 8.55‐9.15am 12.05‐12.25pm 

Site 1 1 Great Cormorant, 6 Red‐ 

necked Stints, 1 Ruddy 

Turnstone 

Shorebirds foraging No birds 

Site 2 35 Red‐necked Stint, 5 

Ruddy Turnstone, 5 Pacific 

Golden Plover 

Site 3 1 Silver Gull, 1 Little Black 

Cormorant 

Most birds roosting, a few 

foraging. Significant neap high‐ 

tide roost (at spring high tides 

the point would be completely 

inundated). 

1 Silver Gull 

No birds 

Significant low‐tide foraging site for 

migratory shorebirds and roost for 

gulls and terns 

At low tide Soldiers point is 

accessible to people and dogs and 

the entire area was untenable for 

birds

Thursday 11 October High tide Observations Comments Low Tide Observations Comments 

High tide 8.05am Low tide 2.17pm 

Pearl Beach 8.35‐8.55am 12.30‐12.50pm 

Site 1 No birds 3 fishermen, 2 walkers, 2 dogs 1 White‐faced Heron 

70 

Foraging. 13 people walking on 

platform 

Site 2 No birds 1 White‐faced Heron 

Same birds as in Area 1. 1 fisherman, 

1 walker 

Site 3 No birds No birds 1 walker 

Maitland Bay See Wed 17 Oct below 2.00‐2.20pm 

Site 1 No birds No people 



Monday 15 October High tide Observations Comments Low Tide Observations Comments 


The Entrance 8.10‐8.30am 5.10‐5.30pm 

Site 1 No birds 1 Pacific Golden Plover Foraging 

Site 2 60 Red‐necked Stint Roosting 

2 Chestnut Teal 

Flew into rockpool between Areas 2 

10 Pacific Golden Plover 

5 Ruddy Turnstone 

Roosting 

Roosting 

& 3 briefly before disturbed by kids. 

5 people and 1 fisherman 

2 Silver Gull Roosting 

Site 3 42 Silver Gull Roosting 1 Ruddy Turnstone Foraging 

1 Masked Lapwing Landed on platform but foraged in 

freshwater stream above rocks

Monday 15 October High tide Observations Comments Low Tide Observations Comments 


Bateau Bay 8.50‐9.10am 4.30‐4.50pm 


Mostly awash 

2 Great Cormorants Resting 

2 Little Black Cormorant Resting 

1 Australian Raven Foraging 

Site 2 2 Great Cormorant 1 White‐faced Heron Foraging 

2 Little Black Cormorant 1 Sooty Oystercatcher Flew in disturbed by my presence 

and flew on to Area 3 


1 Sooty Oystercatcher From Area 2. Foraging 

1 Little Pied Cormorant Resting 

1 Silver Gull Resting 

Spoon Bay 9.20‐9.40am 3.45‐4.05pm 

Site 1 No birds Several beach walkers No birds 

Site 2 No birds Several beach walkers No birds 2 people 

Site 3 No birds Several beach walkers No birds 1 person 

The Skillion 10.10‐10.30am 2.50‐3.10pm 

Site 1 1 Little Pied Cormorant No birds 1 fisherman & 2 walkers 

3 Sooty Oystercatcher Foraging and resting 

Site 2 No birds Mostly awash, 1 fisherman 3 Sooty Oystercatcher Foraging 

Site 3 No birds No birds Family group of 13 & 1 fisherman 

between Area 1 & 2 at 3.20pm 

Little Beach 11.30‐11.50am see Wed 17 Oct below 




71

Wednesday 17 October High tide Observations Comments Low Tide Observations Comments 


Maitland Bay 1.10‐1.30pm see Thurs 11 Oct above 

Sites 

1,2,3 

No birds Most of platform awash. A 

pair of Sea‐Eagles overflying 

the area ‐ one carrying food 

into valley behind beach. 

Little Beach see Mon 15 Oct above 4.05‐4.25pm 




Additional 2nd 

inspection of 

Norah Head 

10.30‐10.50am 

Site 1 3 Little Black Cormorant Roosting 

Site 2 1 Little Black Cormorant 

50 Crested Tern 

2 Common Tern 

29 Silver Gull 

All roosting 

Site 3 2 Sooty Oystercatcher Foraging 

72

Wednesday 17 October High tide Observations Comments Low Tide Observations Comments 

Additional 2nd 

inspection of 

Soldiers Reef 


11.10‐11.30am 

Site 1 

& 3 20 Red‐necked Stint 

19 Ruddy Turnstone 

5 Pacific Golden Plover 

1 Whimbrel 

3 Silver Gull 

16 Crested Tern 

1 Common Tern 

1 Great Cormorant 

Site 2 1 Little Black Cormorant 

Most of the area was awash 

except for a zone between 

Area 1 & 3 where the birds 

were foraging on the wave 

washed sand and roosting on 

adjacent emergent rock 

platform. 

Thursday 18 October High tide Observations Comments Low Tide Observations Comments 


Leggies (Little Redhead Pt) 12.10‐12.30pm 4.20‐4.40pm 

Site 1 No birds Occasional surfer walking No birds 

Site 2 No birds rocks 

No birds 


1 White‐faced Heron 

1.25‐1.45pm 5.10‐5.30pm 

Dudley Site 1 No birds 2 Sooty Oystercatchers & 1 No birds 

Site 2 

Site 3 

No birds 

No birds 

Australian Raven on rock 

platforms to immediate north 

of Areas 1‐3 

No birds 

No birds 

73 

1 walker in area. 1 Sooty 

Oystercatcher on rock platform to 

north of Areas 1‐3.

8.5 Significant Roost and Foraging Sites for Birds 

Appendix 8.5.1: Significant roost and foraging sites for birds at The Entrance 

Norah Head 

1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

Gull 

3 

Appendix 8.5.2: Gull and Tern roost and foraging site for shorebirds at Norah Head 

74 

Shorebird 

The Entrance 

Gull & Tern roost and 

foraging site for shorebirds

Soldiers Reef 

Shorebird foraging 

3 

Appendix 8.5.3: Significant roost and foraging sites for birds at Soldiers Reef 

75 

1 

2 

Shorebird roost

Central Coast Rocky Shore Biodiversity Assessment

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