Gifford Marine Park

Gifford Marine Park is an Australian marine park located 700 km (435 mi) east of Brisbane, Queensland.^[1] Part of the Temperate East Marine Park Network, it protects 5,828 km² (2,250 sq mi) around two flat-topped seamounts, located in the Lord Howe Seamount Chain.^[2][3]

Gifford Marine Park seabed and profile

One of the two seamounts, Gifford Guyot, gives its name to the park.^[4] The Gifford Marine Park protects the habitat for humpback and sperm whales who may visit the seamounts for feeding, resting and breeding and also for navigation.^[2]

The Gifford Marine Park has been designated a Habitat Protection Zone, IUCN Category IV.^[5]

See also

• Australian marine parks

Gallery

Images taken from Nanson et al (2018).^[4]

Gorgonians, sponges, and Parapercis fish

Sediment over consolidated bedform with a Ateleopus sp

Sediment veneer over consolidated bedform with shark (possibly Squalus griffini)

Sediment & calcareous-conglomerate with crinoid

Sediment & limestone outcropping with sea squirt

References

1. "Gifford Marine Park". Marine Biodiversity Hub. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
2. "Seafloor bathymetry of the Gifford Marine Park". Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
3. "Gifford Marine Park". parksaustralia.gov.au. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
4. Nanson, Rachel; Carroll, Andrew; Huang, Zhi; Nichol, Scott; Miller, Karen (2 August 2018). "An eco-narrative of Gifford Marine Park – Temperate East marine region" (PDF). Marine Biodiversity Hub. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
5. "Temperate East Marine Parks Network Management Plan 2018 Zoning and rules" (PDF). Parks Australia. 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2021.

26°46′S 159°26′E