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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 Type of zones 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