Shark Bay, located in Western Australia, is a World Heritage site recognized for its exceptional biodiversity, geological history, and ongoing evolutionary processes. Its unique environment results from an arid climate combined with shallow embayments, leading to high evaporation rates and hypersaline waters.
One of Shark Bay's most remarkable features is the Hamelin Pool, home to living stromatolites. These microbial colonies offer a glimpse into early life on Earth, dating back 3.5 billion years. Shark Bay also boasts extensive and diverse seagrass meadows, covering over 4,000 square kilometers, which serve as a vital habitat and food source for various marine species.
These seagrass meadows support a large population of dugongs, approximately 10% of the world's population, as well as dolphins, turtles, and a variety of fish species. The area is recognized as one of Australia's most important nesting sites for loggerhead turtles. Shark Bay faces threats from climate change, pollution, and the potential for overfishing, making sustainable management crucial for its long-term protection. The marine heatwave in 2011 caused a significant loss of seagrass, impacting the dugong and green turtle populations, highlighting the vulnerability of this unique ecosystem.