Australia

Member Type: 
Country

Australia is represented at ICRI meetings through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the Australian Government agency responsible for managing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The agency uses the best available scientific information and engages with experts and the community through Reef Advisory Committees and Local Marine Advisory Committee to develop suitable management responses. Out on the water, field management and enforcement of zoning rules is carried out in conjunction with Queensland and other Australian Government agencies..

The information provided below is for Australia as a whole (not just the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park).

Contact
Margaret Johnson
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
General Manager
[email protected]
Ben Palmer
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
International Business Manager
[email protected]
Related Websites
Website: 
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Website: 
Commonwealth Marine reserves
Background Information
Surface of Coral Reefs: 
48,960.00km2

Australia is one of the 8 founding countries of ICRI. 

MPA Information
MPA(s) with coral reefs: 
1,400,000
Precentage of coral reef MPA(s) to the coastal zone or marine area: 
17.00%
More Information: 

Note: the 17% are not including the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Ramsar Sites
Ramsar sites with coral reefs: 
9
More Information: 
  1. Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve (21/10/02) - 58,300 ha
  2. The Dales (21/10/02) - 583 ha
  3. Coral Sea Reserves (Coringa-Herald and Lihou Reefs and Cays) (21/10/02) - 1.7 million ha
  4. Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve (21/10/02) - 187,726 ha
  5. Great Sandy Strait (including Great Sandy Strait, Tin Can Bay, and Tin Can Inlet) (14/06/99) - 93,160 ha
  6. Pulu Keeling National Park (17/03/96) - 2,602 ha
  7. Moreton Bay (22/10/93) -  113,314 ha
  8. Hosnies Spring (11/12/90) - 202 ha
  9. Cobourg Peninsula (08/05/74) - 220,700 ha

For more information, www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/pubs/ramsar.pdf

World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Sites with Coral Reefs: 
3
More Information: 

Great Barrier Reef (listed on 30 October 1981) The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. It also holds great scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.

Lord Howe Island (listed on 17 December 1982) A remarkable example of isolated oceanic islands, born of volcanic activity more than 2,000 m under the sea, these islands boast a spectacular topography and are home to numerous endemic species, especially birds

The Ningaloo Coast (listed on 24 June 2011) - The 604,500 hectare marine and terrestrial property of Ningaloo Coast, on the remote western coast of Australia, includes one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world. On land the site features an extensive karst system and network of underground caves and water courses. Annual gatherings of whale sharks occur at Ningaloo Coast, which is home to numerous marine species, among them a wealth of sea turtles. The terrestrial part of the site features subterranean water bodies with a substantial network of caves, conduits, and groundwater streams. They support a variety of rare species that contribute to the exceptional biodiversity of the marine and terrestrial site

Man and the Biosphere (MAB)
MAB Sites with Coral Reefs: 
1
More Information: 

Great Sandy (listed in May 2009)

Additional Information
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Last Updated: 21 May 2019