In This SectionResourcesOne Page Coral Sea Fact Sheet (PDF) An Australian Coral Sea Heritage Park (PDF) - Comprehensive background on the Coral Sea submission. Map of Proposed Australian Coral Sea Heritage Park, Pew Environment Group - September 2009 (PDF) Coral Sea Conservation Zone Map, Department of Environment, Heritage and the Arts - May 2009 (PDF) Video: An Australian Coral Sea Heritage Park Learn more about Pew's work in Australia on the Wild Australia Web site | Coral Sea
An Australian Coral Sea Heritage ParkThe 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.
Gallery viewing tips: Move your cursor over the image to read photo captions. If you would like to manually move through the gallery, use either the plus or minus symbols, or select an individual image by clicking on the numbers at the bottom of the gallery. This gallery requires that the Flash 9 Player be installed in your browser. 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. |
Latest NewsConservation Groups Welcome Australian Senate's Support for Coral Sea Conservation Zone - Portect Our Coral Sea Coalition - 17 November 2009 New Australian campaign launched to protect the Coral Sea
Rising tide of action to protect marine areas - The Age - 20 May 2009 Conservation groups welcome Government's 'first big step' to protect the Coral Sea - Coalition of Conservation Groups - 19 May 2009 Coral Sea gets new conservation zone - Sydney Morning Herald - 19 May 2009 Australia Moves to Protect the Coral Sea - Voice of America - 19 May 2009 Coral Sea Conservation Zone announced - The World Today - 19 May 2009 Coral Sea gets interim conservation status - The World Today - 19 May 2009 Dr Sylvia Earle, Patron, Coral Sea Campaign
"The Coral Sea is a rare thing – a place where majestic ocean-going fish can still be found in great numbers. In the last 50 years, the world has lost 90% of these large ocean creatures due to overfishing. We need to do all we can to protect one of the world’s last remaining refuges. That’s why I support a fully protected marine park in the Coral Sea within Australia’s waters. I call it a “hope spot” for the oceans. The Coral Sea would be the world’s largest protected area, a beacon to all other countries, and a giant leap forward for man’s custodianship of the sea." |
Global Ocean Legacy
- 22 September 2009
