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Coordinates: 9°30′S 135°0′E / 9.5°S 135°E / -9.5; 135

Arafura Sea
Location
Map
Coordinates	9°30′S 135°0′E / 9.5°S 135°E / -9.5; 135
Basin countries	Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
Max length	1,290 km (800 mi)
Max width	560 km (350 mi)
Islands	Aru Islands, Croker Island, Goulburn Islands, Howard Island

The Arafura Sea lies west of the Pacific Ocean overlying the continental shelf between Australia and New Guinea.

Geography[link]

The Arafura Sea is bordered by Torres Strait and through that the Coral Sea to the east, the Gulf of Carpentaria to the south, the Timor Sea to the west and the Banda and Ceram seas to the northwest. It is 1,290 kilometres (800 mi) long and 560 kilometres (350 mi) wide. The depth of the sea is primarily 50–80 metres (165–265 feet) with the depth increasing to the west. As a shallow tropical sea, its waters are a breeding ground for tropical cyclones.^{[citation needed]}

The sea lies over the Arafura Shelf, part of the Sahul Shelf. When sea levels were low during the last glacial maximum, the Arafura Shelf, the Gulf of Carpentaria and Torres Strait formed a large flat land bridge connecting Australia and New Guinea and easing migration of humans from Asia into Australia. The combined landmass formed the continent of Sahul.

Extent[link]

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defines the Arafura Sea as being one of the waters of the East Indian Archipelago. The IHO defines its limits as follows:^[1]

On the North. The Southeastern limit of the Ceram Sea [A line from Karoefa, New Guinea, to the Southeastern extreme of Adi Island, thence to Tg. Borang, the Northern point of Noehoe Tjoet [Kai Besar] (5°17′S 133°09′E / 5.283°S 133.15°E / -5.283; 133.15)] and the Eastern limit of the Banda Sea [From Tg Borang, the Northern point of Noehoe Tjoet, through this island to its Southern point, thence a line to the Northeast point of Fordata, through this island and across to the Northeast point of Larat, Tanimbar Islands (7°06′S 131°55′E / 7.1°S 131.917°E / -7.1; 131.917), down the East coast of Jamdena [Yamdena] Island to its Southern point, thence through Anggarmasa to the North point of Selaroe and through this island to Tg Aro Oesoe its Southern point (8°21′S 130°45′E / 8.35°S 130.75°E / -8.35; 130.75)].

On the East. The Southwest coast of New Guinea from Karoefa (133°27'E) to the entrance to the Bensbak River (141°01'E), and thence a line to the Northwest extreme of York Peninsula, Australia (11°05′S 142°03′E / 11.083°S 142.05°E / -11.083; 142.05).

On the South. By the North coast of Australia from the Northwest extreme of York Peninsula to Cape Don (11°19′S 131°46′E / 11.317°S 131.767°E / -11.317; 131.767).

On the West. A line from Cape Don to Tanjong Aro Oesoe, the Southern point of Selaroe (Tanimbar Islands).

Name[link]

The sea's name appeared in George Windsor Earl's 1837 "Sailing Directions for the Arafura" which he compiled from the narratives of Lieuts. Kolff and Modera of the Dutch Navy.^[2]

It has been suggested that the name Arafura is of Portuguese origin, being the corruption of the word "Alfours," meaning "free men", but recent research at the Dutch National Archives has revealed AJ van der Aa's 1939 Toponymic Dictionary records "the inhabitants of the Moluccas called themselves "haraforas", translating "Anak anak gunung" as "children of the mountains"."

The Arafura Sea name is from the indigenous name for "the people of mountains" in the Moluccas (part of Indonesia) as identified by Dutch Lieutenants Kolff and Modera in the 1830s."

Fisheries[link]

The Arafura Sea is potentially a place for shrimp and demersal fishing. Shrimp available in this sea are penaeid sp in addition to basic fishes, nemipteridae sp, and other kind of fish.

In a world where marine ecosystems and fish stocks are generally collapsing, the Arafura Sea stands out as among the richest marine fisheries in the world.^{[citation needed]} However, the Arafura is coming under ever more intense pressure from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities. If this trend persists, the many local communities who surround the sea and who depend on fish protein will face a considerable challenge in sustaining their livelihoods.

Increasing economic growth and maintaining environment quality are two main challenges to achieve sustainable development in coastal areas of the sea. Utilization of marine and fisheries resources for economic development of particular area must be conducted in coordinative manner and through appropriate approaches, which take into consideration the sustainable aspects of the environment.

Established in 2002, the Arafura and Timor Seas Expert Forum (ATSEF) seeks to promote economically and environmentally sustainable management of the seas.^{[citation needed]}

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Arafura Sea

	Australia portal
	Indonesia portal

• Asmat people
• Makassan contact with Australia

References[link]

Axle Whitehead
Whitehead at the 2011 Logie Awards
Background information
Born	(1980-12-16) 16 December 1980 (age 31) Melbourne, Australia
Genres	Alternative rock
Occupations	Actor, singer, musician
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Sony BMG

Axle Whitehead (born 16 December 1980; Melbourne, Australia) is a former Australian Video Hits TV host and current singer, musician, and actor. In 2008, he released his first studio album Losing Sleep which debuted outside of the ARIA top 50.^[1] He also plays Liam Murphy in Channel Seven's Home and Away and is the host of The World's Strictest Parents.

Career[link]

Music[link]

Axle Whitehead was originally a contestant on the first series of Australian Idol in 2003. He failed to win the competition but made it into the top twenty. After being spotted on Idol, he was hired to host the Television music show, Video Hits on Network Ten, hosting from 2004 to 1 November 2006.

On 29 October 2006, while at the ARIA's, Whitehead was on-stage presenting an award to TV Rock with radio jock Jabba, when he exposed his penis on stage. He also simulated masturbation on the ARIA trophy as the winners made their way to the stage.^[2] The Daily Telegraph later reported that Whitehead and his long time girlfriend Katrina Peden had broken up days before the ARIA incident, possibly explaining his behaviour.^[3] It was also rumoured in the industry that it was an ongoing dare, between himself, Jabba and Johnny Knoxville, though Whitehead denied the claim.^[4] He later said that he had no regrets about the incident, and thought that "more people should do it."^[5] Network Ten announced that Whitehead resigned as host of Video Hits on 1 November 2006.^[6] However, Whitehead later said that he was fired by Network Ten, saying "I was still up from the night before, sitting on the beach. I just couldn't believe it. I went back to the farm to take some time out."^[7]

Axle Whitehead on the Coke Live 'n' Local 2006 tour.

Axle Whitehead's debut single "I Don't Do Surprises" was released on radio during January 2008,^[8] debuting at #8 on the ARIA Charts in Australia on 17 March 2008.^[9] It has also received airplay on Nova radio and surfaced on TV advertisements for popular Channel 10 shows House and Women's Murder Club, and Channel 7's Home and Away, being described as a cross between Coldplay and Robbie Williams.^[10] His debut album, Losing Sleep was mixed by UK mixer, David Treahearn and released through Roadshow Music on 22 August 2008. Whitehead made his return to Video Hits on 24 February 2008, and to Australian Idol on 5 September 2008, though only as a guest to promote his debut album. The third single off Losing Sleep, Satellite has received significant play on Channel V and Video Hits.

Axle Whitehead has also become the face of upmarket clothing brand 'Marcs'. His image has appeared on buses and print advertisements for the summer/autumn campaign.

Acting[link]

Whitehead's first acting roles were minor parts in the television series The Secret Life of Us, and the 2003 film, Ned Kelly.^[7] After taking acting lessons for eighteen months, Whitehead auditioned for a role in Home and Away, which he described as "such a great place to learn and hone your skills". He joined the cast for fifteen episodes as rocker Liam Murphy,^[11] and later signed to be a regular cast member. Whitehead based his portrayal of the rocker on experiences of close friends, and said "you have to find a balance between putting yourself into it and not being too cheeky."^[12]

Whitehead also hosts Seven Network's The World's Strictest Parents.^[13]

In 2010, Whitehead was short-listed to host The X Factor Australia, but lost out to fellow Home and Away colleague Luke Jacobz.^[14]

Cleo Bachelor Of The Year[link]

On 22 April 2009, Axle was announced Cleo Bachelor Of The Year, beating competition from sportsmen, actors and other personalities.^[15] Sarah Oakes, Cleo Editor-in-chief denied the claims that Whitehead won as a direct result of a self-marketing ploy; "[He] is that perfect combination of good looks, charm, charisma and the kind of guy you'd be really happy to take home and introduce to your mum." ^[16] Comedian Fiona O'Loughlin quipped that "[She] wouldn't touch Axle with a ten-foot pole", while Patti Newton, wife of well-known Australian veteran television personality Bert Newton, believed "Sarah [Oakes] must have taken a whiff of the Whitehead smelling salts and fallen under the same spell that has allowed such disgraceful behaviour to have been deemed socially acceptable in this day and age. If showing your privates is charismatic and 'mum-friendly', then consider me Miles Franklin."

Discography[link]

Whitehead rose to prominence after competing in the third round on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. His debut extended play, The Axle Whitehead Band, was released as a collaboration in 2003 with jazz fusion band, the Axle Whitehead Band. The release failed to rank on national charts. Whitehead released his debut studio album, Losing Sleep, in 2008 on Roadshow Music. The album peaked at number 68 on the Australian Top 100 Albums Chart.^[17] The lead single "I Don't Do Surprises" debuted at number eight on the Australian Top 100 Singles Chart and received gold certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association.^[18][19] The album's subsequent singles "Anywhere" and "Satellite" did not make it into the Top 50.^[18]

Studio albums[link]

Extended plays[link]

Singles[link]

Music videos[link]

Guest appearances[link]

External links[link]

• Photograph of Axle Whitehead singing
• Axle Whitehead's Official MySpace
• Official Website

References[link]