The Coral Sea is a tropical marine jewel. It hosts spectacular coral reefs, remote islands, towering underwater mountains and deep-sea canyons, and is home to whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, rays and seabirds.
In the last 50 years, 90% of the world’s big ocean-going fish have disappeared due to overfishing. The Coral Sea is one of the last places on Earth where large marine animals can still be found in great numbers, making it a special place on a global scale.
The Coral Sea is of great historic significance. In May 1942, it was the arena for the Battle of the Coral Sea, and many shipwrecks can be found on its scattered and diverse reefs.
Australia’s Coral Sea is less than 1% fully protected. Without a high level of protection, the beauty and biodiversity of the Coral Sea will diminish over time.
Click on 'Full Story' to find out more and then visit www.protectourcoralsea.org.au to ha-wrasse your local MP and PM Kevin Rudd!
Conservation groups have welcomed the announcement by Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to establish a Conservation Zone over the entire Coral Sea within Australian waters and called on the Minister to ensure sufficient resources for his Department to carry out a full and prompt assessment of the area.
The conservation groups believe the Minister’s announcement signals a clear intent by the Government to permanently protect this tropical marine jewel in its entirety, a decision that would make the Coral Sea the largest protected area on Earth.
Click Here to read the Australian Government factsheet on the Interim Coral Sea Conservation Zone.
Download a pdf version of the government's Coral Sea Conservation Zone here coral-sea CZ map 1.50 Mb
Take Action! Our colleagues at AMCS have set up an online petition calling on the Prime Minister to support this visionary proposal. Click here to support the largest marine reserve in the world.
Recently a number of conservation and other organizations, scientists and prominent community leaders proposed that the Coral Sea east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park be considered as a highly protected marine park. If created by the government, the Coral Sea Heritage Park would be the largest protected marine park in the world - and establish Australia as a world leader in ocean conservation leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. Unfortunately, considerable misinformation regarding the proposal has been circulating. Below are our responses to the myths that have been made in the press by some of those opposing the proposal.
Australia’s most eminent tropical marine scientists today strongly backed calls by the Pew Environment Group and partners to secure world-class, no-take marine reserves at key locations around the world. They called for the Coral Sea, an immense area to the east of tropical Australia, to be made the world’s largest marine protected area.
The researchers said that the whole Coral Sea should become a no-fishing area, to protect its immense environmental and heritage values from the escalating threats of overfishing and climate change
Today at the Australian National Maritime Museum, former Chiefs of the Navy, the Battle for Australia Commemoration National Council, Australia’s leading tropical marine scientists and environmental organisations called for the Coral Sea to be protected as the world’s largest no-take marine park in recognition of its enormous natural and maritime heritage value.
The event included supporters Vice Admiral (Rtd) David Shackleton AO (Chief of Navy 1999-2002) and Professor Terry Hughes, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, recent winner of the international Darwin Medal. The launch also included the release of a 70-page report that describes the natural and maritime heritage values.
“An Australian Coral Sea Heritage Park would make an unparalleled contribution to Australian and international marine conservation,” said Imogen Zethoven AO, director of the Coral Sea campaign. “Its environmental significance and its historic importance as the site of the battle that turned the tide of WWII in our region make the Coral Sea a treasure worth protecting for future generations."
Conservation groups have welcomed the announcement by Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to establish a Conservation Zone over the entire Coral Sea within Australian waters and called on the Minister to ensure sufficient resources for his Department to carry out a full and prompt assessment of the area.
coral-sea CZ map
Recently a number of conservation and other organizations, scientists and prominent community leaders proposed that the Coral Sea east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park be considered as a highly protected marine park. If created by the government, the Coral Sea Heritage Park would be the largest protected marine park in the world - and establish Australia as a world leader in ocean conservation leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. Unfortunately, considerable misinformation regarding the proposal has been circulating. Below are our responses to the myths that have been made in the press by some of those opposing the proposal.
Australia’s most eminent tropical marine scientists today strongly backed calls by the Pew Environment Group and partners to secure world-class, no-take marine reserves at key locations around the world. They called for the Coral Sea, an immense area to the east of tropical Australia, to be made the world’s largest marine protected area.
Today at the Australian National Maritime Museum, former Chiefs of the Navy, the Battle for Australia Commemoration National Council, Australia’s leading tropical marine scientists and environmental organisations called for the Coral Sea to be protected as the world’s largest no-take marine park in recognition of its enormous natural and maritime heritage value.