Coral Sea

An Australian Coral Sea Heritage Park

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The Coral Sea is a unique part of the Pacific and an Australian historical treasure.

It has more than 25 spectacular coral reefs, remote islands, towering underwater mountains and deep-sea canyons.

Its abundant wildlife includes threatened sea turtles, whales, dolphins, manta rays, seabirds, large pelagic fish such as sharks, tuna, marlin, barracuda and swordfish and hundreds of species of corals and reef fish.

The Pew Environment Group is proposing to make the Coral Sea a Heritage Park to provide a safe haven for globally threatened species.

Extending east from the Great Barrier Reef , the Heritage Park would encompass Australia’s maritime boundary with Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. At about one million square kilometers, this new Park would be the world’s largest.

The Coral Sea also has a rich maritime history. In May 1942, it was the site of a naval engagement that turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific.

Over time, many commercial vessels have run aground on its shallow reefs, resulting in significant loss of life – along with a few great tales of survival.

Today, the Coral Sea is under pressure from tuna and billfish longlining and the other types of fishing.  Over 100 tonnes of sharks are caught each year.

A growing dive tourism industry along with scientists and conservationists are working to see the Australian Government better protect this magnificent area.

The extraordinary natural and historic value of the Coral Sea offers the Australian Government an unparalleled opportunity to protect one of the world’s last intact tropical oceanic ecosystems and an area of great cultural significance.

You can help. Find out more about the Coral Sea and join us in calling on the Australian Government to permanently protect this ocean treasure.

Resources

One Page Coral Sea Fact Sheet (PDF)

An Australian Coral Sea Heritage Park (PDF) - Comprehensive background on the Coral Sea submission.