Download Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve

Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MARINE USERS – TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Commonwealth marine reserves declared in November 2012 are under transitional arrangements
until management plans come into effect in July 2014. Transitional arrangements involve NO CHANGES
ON THE WATER for marine users. Note, there are no changes to management arrangements in the
marine reserves and the Conservation Zone that existed prior to the establishment of the new reserves,
that is, the same restrictions on activities will continue to apply even where those reserves and the
Conservation Zone have been incorporated into new reserves.
More information is available at www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves
The Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve protects the waters of the Coral Sea that fall within
Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This area covers 989 842 square kilometres—which is
more than half the size of Queensland.
The Coral Sea is an important national asset in near pristine condition. The reserve will be managed
for the primary purpose of conserving the biodiversity found in it, while also allowing for the
sustainable use of natural resources in some areas. The reserve includes a vast range of
ecosystems, habitats and biological communities and will help ensure this vast marine wilderness
area remains healthy and is more resilient to the effects of climate change.
The Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve will exclude all mining, including petroleum
exploration and development. It will also remove commercial fishing activities from a significant
portion of the region.
The Coral Sea reserve is remote with its nearest point about 60 kilometres from the coast and
extending out to about 1100 kilometres from the mainland.
The Coral Sea is internationally known for its dive spots. Osprey Reef is known as one of the
world’s top dive spots primarily due to the impressive shark populations.
Conservation values
The environmental significance of the Coral Sea lies in its diverse array of coral reefs, sandy cays,
deep sea plains and canyons.
The Coral Sea islands and associated reefs support critical nesting sites for the green turtle and a
range of seabird species such as noddies, terns, boobies, frigatebirds and tropic birds. The reefs are
also renowned for the diverse range of predatory fish—such as albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna,
broadbill swordfish, marlin and sharks—that regularly pass through them.
The Coral Sea marine reserve protects habitats and important areas for a range of species, including
humpback whales, whale sharks, green turtles and many seabirds.
The Coral Sea is also an important heritage site. During World War II, it was the scene of a major
battle between Japanese forces and the Allied naval and air forces from the United States and
Australia. Three ships are known to have sunk in the north-eastern area of the Coral Sea—the USS
Lexington, the USS Sims and the USS Neosho. These ships are now protected under national
environment law as historic shipwrecks.
Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Reserve area
989 842 km² (includes the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone, the former
Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve and the former Lihou Reef National
Nature Reserve)
Depth range
<15 – 5000 m
Key conservation
values
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Type of zones
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Habitat and important areas for a range of species have been identified in the
region, including for humpback whales during their annual migration along the
east coast of Australia; nesting and inter-nesting sites for green turtles;
breeding and foraging areas for multiple seabird species including noddies,
terns, boobies, frigatebirds, and tropic birds; white shark distribution and
whale shark aggregation.
Transient populations of highly migratory pelagic species, including small fish
schools, billfish, tuna and sharks.
The East Australian Current forms in the region and is considered a major
pathway for mobile predators such as billfish and tunas. Black marlin undergo
seasonal movements into the Queensland Plateau area.
Includes three Key Ecological Features: the reefs, cays and herbivorous fish
of the Queensland Plateau and the Marion Plateau and the northern extent of
the Tasmantid seamount chain.
Heritage values include many historic shipwrecks including three World War II
shipwrecks from the Battle of the Coral Sea.
The reserve represents the full range of seafloor features found in the region,
including numerous reefs ranging from Ashmore and Boot Reefs in the north
of the region to Cato Island and surrounding reefs in the south. The reserve
includes canyons, troughs and plateaux, including Bligh Canyon
approximately 200 kilometres off the coast from Lockhart River and the
Townsville Trough, which separates the Queensland and Marion Plateaux.
The reserve extends into the deeper waters of the Coral Sea Basin in the
north, and provides protection for the pinnacles of the northern extent of the
Tasmantid seamount chain.
Six provincial bioregions, 94 depth ranges, and 16 seafloor types are
represented in the reserve
Marine National Park Zone (IUCN Category II) – 502 626 km² or 50.78% of
reserve
Habitat Protection Zone (Coral Sea) (IUCN Category IV) – 182 564 km² or
18.44% of reserve
Habitat Protection Zone (Seamounts) (IUCN Category IV) – 85 507 km² or
8.64% of reserve
Conservation Park Zone (IUCN Category IV) – 20 613 km² or 2.08% of
reserve
Multiple Use Zone (IUCN Category VI) – 194 233 km² or 19.62% of reserve
General Use Zone (IUCN Category VI) – 4300 km² or 0.43% of reserve