The Coral Sea Marine Park is located to the east of the Great Barrier Reef, extending from Cape York Peninsula to about 40 kilometres north of Bundaberg in Queensland. It is one of the world's largest marine parks. The Coral Sea Marine Park hosts a diverse array of habitats, such as sandy cays, deep sea plains and canyons, as well over 15,000 square kilometres of reef which supports distinct communities of marine flora and fauna. The marine park also includes the only known spawning aggregation of black marlin, and every year humpback whales migrate through the marine park on their way north from Antarctica.
Video
Using remote sensing technologies and an underwater drone, scientists from Schmidt Ocean Institute made some amazing discoveries while uncovering the depths of the Coral Sea Marine Park during the Visioning Coral Sea expedition. Watch more videos on YouTube.
Research
These short articles highlight the findings from ongoing scientific research within the Coral Sea Marine Park, including exciting new discoveries and ideas for future projects.
The 2016 and 2020 marine heatwaves each impacted shallow coral reef biodiversity in the Coral Sea Marine Park in very different ways, but the net impacts of both affected reefs in the entire region.
‘Blackwater’ diving uncovers a unique set of marine creatures in the Coral Sea Marine Park. As the moon dips below the horizon, a suite of dark-dwelling species is revealed via torchlight during their nightly migration towards the ocean surface.
Small and/or camouflaged fish species hidden on or near the reef surface are commonly referred to as ‘cryptic’ or ‘cryptobenthic’ fishes. These species are characteristically difficult to see but are diverse and abundant throughout Australian Marine Parks and may play an important role in supporting the larger predatory fish species protected within park boundaries.
Parks Australia manage 60 Australian Marine Parks, many of which include shallow reefs. These reef habitats are hugely diverse, and include tropical reefs dominated by hard corals; current-swept offshore bommies covered in sea whips, sea fans and soft corals; temperate rocky reefs with sea urchin barrens or low lying colourful seaweeds; and deeper rocky reefs with sessile invertebrates and large black coral trees.
High-resolution 360-degree panoramic vision collected by Caitlin Sea Survey lets you 'swim' through reefs in the Coral Sea Marine Park.
Natural values
Our marine parks have a number of different values, including natural, cultural, heritage and socio-economic values. The natural values of our marine parks refer to the habitats, species and ecological communities within them, and the processes that support their connectivity, productivity and function. Below are the key datasets that help inform park managers about the natural values that exist within our network of Australian Marine Parks. For more information on other park values refer to the relevant park Management Plans on the Parks Australia website.
See which wetlands of international significance are protected by Australian Marine Parks.
Maps
The information provided by these datasets was integral in the planning and development of our national network of marine parks. Learn in detail about how scientists and marine park planners used these important marine features together to design Australia's network of marine parks, or explore the datasets for the Coral Sea Marine Park individually through the links below.
See which areas of Australia's marine environments have been World Heritage listed.
Latest maps
Since the initial planning of the Australian Marine Parks Network in 2012, new mapping data has emerged that allows us to see in finer detail the features that exist within our parks. These datasets help marine managers to understand more about what's under the surface, where there are overlaying management or protection regimes, and/or where pressures on the marine environment may be increasing.
Examine how exposure to tropical cyclone activity varies across Australian Marine Parks.
Scientific papers
The following publications contain information relevant to the Coral Sea marine park and adjacent waters. Click on the links to access to the publications.
Edgar, G, Ceccarelli, D and Stuart-Smith, R.D. (2015).
Reef Life Survey Assessment of Coral Reef Biodiversity in the Coral Sea..
Emslie, M, Logan, M, Williamson, D. H, Ayling, A. M, MacNeil, A, Ceccarelli, D, Cheal, A. J, Evans, R. D, Jones, K. A, Jonker, M. J, Miller, I. R, Osborne, K, Russ, G. R and Sweatman, H. (2015).
Expectations and Outcomes of Reserve Network Performance following Re-zoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Lamb, J. B, Williamson, D. H, Russ, G. R and Willis, B. L. (2015).
Protected areas mitigate diseases of reef-building corals by reducing damage from fishing.
Young, M, Ierodiaconou, D and Womersley, T. (2015).
Forests of the sea: Predictive habitat modelling to assess the abundance of canopy forming kelp forests on temperate reefs.
Crandall, E. D, Treml, E. A, Liggins, L, Gleeson, L, Yasuda, N, Barber, P. H, Worheide, G and Riginos, C. (2014).
Return of the ghosts of dispersal past: historical spread and contemporary gene flow in the blue sea star Linckia laevigata.
Huang, Z, Kool, J and Nichol, S. (2014).
Submarine Canyon Mapping.
Huang, Z, Nichol, S. L, Harris, P. T and Caley, M. J. (2014).
Classification of submarine canyons of the Australian continental margin.
Moltmann, T and Wiltshire, M. (2014).
IMOS Integrated Marine Observing System 2014-15 Highlights.
Read, T. C, Wantiez, L, Werry, J. M, Farman, R, Petro, G and Limpus, C. J. (2014).
Migrations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) between nesting and foraging grounds across the Coral Sea.
Singleton, R. L and Roberts, C. M. (2014).
The contribution of very large marine protected areas to marine conservation: Giant leaps or smoke and mirrors?.
Evans-Illidge, E.A , Logan, M , Doyle, J , Fromont, J, Battershill, C.N , Ericson, G, Wolff, C.W, Muirhead, A, Kearns, P, Abdo, D and Kininmonth, S (2013).
Phylogeny Drives Large Scale Patterns in Australian Marine Bioactivity and Provides a New Chemical Ecology
Rationale for Future Biodiscovery.
Haward, M, Davidson, J, Lockwood, M, Hockings, M, Kriwoken, L and Allchin, R. (2013).
Climate change, scenarios and marine biodiversity conservation.
Huelsken, T, Keyse, J, Liggins, L, Penny, S, Treml, E. A and Riginos, C. (2013).
A novel widespread cryptic species and phylogeographic patterns within several giant clam species (Cardiidae: Tridacna) from the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Wen, C. K. C, Almany, G. R, Williamson, D. H, Pratchett, M, Mannering, T. D, Evans, R. D, Leis, J. M, Srinivasan, M and Jones, G. P. (2013).
Recruitment hotspots boost the effectiveness of no-take marine reserves.
Ceccarelli, D. (2012).
Australia's Coral Sea - how much do we know?.
Ceccarelli, D. M, McKinnon, A. D, Andrefouet, S, Allain, V, Young, J, Gledhill, D. C, Flynn, A, Bax, N. J, Beaman, R, Borsa, P and Brinkman, R. (2012).
The coral sea: physical environment, ecosystem status and biodiversity assets.
Flynn, A. J and Paxton, J. R. (2012).
Spawning aggregation of the lanternfish Diaphus danae (family Myctophidae) in the north-western Coral Sea and associations with tuna aggregations.
Fuentes, M. P. B., Poloczanska, E. S, Hobday, A. J and Richardson, A. J. (2012).
Marine Climate Change in Australia Impacts and Adaptation Responses 2012 REPORT CARD: Marine Reptiles.
Harrison, H.B, Williamson, D.H, Evans, R.D, Almany, G.R, Thorrold, S.R, Russ, G.R, Feldheim, K.A, Van Herwerden, L. , Planes, S , Srinivasan, M and Berumen, M.L. (2012).
Larval Export from Marine Reserves and the Recruitment Benefit for Fish and Fisheries.
Jovanovic, B, Braganza, K, Collins, D and Jones, D. (2012).
Climate variations and change evident in high-quality climate data for Australia's Antarctic and remote island weather stations.
Mantovanelli, A and Heron, M. (2012).
Radar-based tracking of pollutants/larvae in the Coral Sea.
Maxwell, F. (2012).
The many levels of Australia's Coral Sea.
Reitner, J, Rodriguez-Martinez, M, Erasmi, S, Germer, J, Queric, N. V, Worheide, G, Luter, C and Thuy, B. (2012).
Sedimentology and Geobiology of Deep Carbonate Slopes from the Osprey and Nearby Reefs (Queensland Plateau, NE Australia).
Svavarsson, J. O r U. N. D. U. R and Bruce, N. L. (2012).
New and little-known gnathiid isopod crustaceans (Cymothoida) from the northern Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea.
Ceccarelli, D. (2011).
Research and Monitoring in Australia's Coral Sea: A Review.
Ceccarelli, D. (2011).
The value of oceanic marine reservesfor protecting highly mobile pelagic species: Coral Sea case study.
Chambers, L. E, Devney, C. A, Congdon, B. C, Dunlop, N, Woehler, E. J and Dann, P. (2011).
Observed and predicted effects of climate on Australian seabirds.
Couturier, L. I, Jaine, F. R, Townsend, K. A, Weeks, S. J, Richardson, A. J and Bennett, M. B. (2011).
Distribution, site affinity and regional movements of the manta ray, Manta alfredi (Krefft, 1868), along the east coast of Australia.
Nishikawa, J, Fitzpatrick, R, Reimer, D., Beaman, J.J and Yamamoto, R (2011).
In situ observation of Denise's pygmy seahorse Hippocampus denise associated with a gorgonian coral Annella reticulata at Osprey Reef, Australia.
Batianoff, G. N, Naylor, G. C, Olds, J. A, Fechner, N. A and John Neldner, V. (2010).
Climate and Vegetation Changes at Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve, Coral Sea Islands, Australia 1.
Ceccarelli, D. (2010).
Research and Monitoring in Australia's Commonwealth Marine Protected Areas: A Review.
Berkelmans, R. R. (2009).
Interim report for 2008/09: installation and management of a system of Sea Temperature Data Loggers at Tropical and Sub-tropical Commonweath MPA's.
Ceccarelli, D. M. (2009).
Impacts of plastic debris on Australian marine wildlife.
Condie, S. (2009).
Oceanographic connectivity between the Coral Sea and outer Great Barrier Reef.
Ayling, A. M and Choat, J. H. (2008).
Abundance patterns of reef sharks and predatory fishes on differently zoned reefs in the offshore Townsville region: Final report to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Baker, B, Holdsworth, M, Finley, L and Double, M. (2008).
Seabird monitoring study at Coringa Herald National Nature Reserve.
Ceccarelli, D, Ayling, T, Choat, H, Ayling, A M and Williamson, D. H. (2008).
Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve Marine Survey.
Greenslade, P and Farrow, R. (2008).
Coringa-Herald national nature reserve--identification of invertebrates collected on the 2007 invertebrate survey for The Department of the Environment.
Ceccarelli, D, Choat, J. H, Ayling, T, Richards, Z, van Herwerden, L, Ayling, A, Ewels, G and Hobbs, J. (2007).
Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve Marine Survey.
Congdon, B.C , Erwin, C.A , Peck, D.R , Baker, G.B , Double, M.C and O'Neill, P. (2007).
Vulnerability of seabirds on the Great Barrier Reef to climate change.
Evans, R. D, Williamson, D. H, Sweatman, H, Russ, G. R, Emslie, M, Cheal, A. J and Miller, I. (2006).
Surveys of the effects of rezoning of the GBR Marine Park in 2004 on some fish species - preliminary findings.
Miller, K.J , Knowles, C.L, Williams, A, Ward, B and Rowden, A. (2006).
Connectivity and conservation of Australian and New Zealand seamounts: A molecular approach to assess relationships among their deep sea coral populations.
Phillips, B. (2006).
Coral Sea National Nature Reserves Ramsar Wetlands Ecological Character Description.
Hayes, D, Lyne, V, Condie, S, Griffiths, B, Pigot, S and Hallegraeff, G. (2005).
Collation and Analysis of Oceanographic Datasets for National Marine Bioregionalisation.
Heap, A. D, Harris, P. T, Last, P, Lyne, V, Hinde, A and Woods, M. (2005).
Benthic marine bioregionalisation of Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Last, P, Lyne, V, Yearsley, G, Gledhill, D, Gomon, M, Rees, T and White, W. (2005).
Validation of national demersal fish datasets for the regionalisation of the Australian continental slope and outer shelf (> 40 m depth).
Oxley, W. W, Emslie, M. M, Osborne, K. K and Speare, P. P. (2005).
An assessment of effects of a coral bleaching event at Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve, October 2004.
Passlow, V, Rogis, J, Hancock, A, Hemer, M, Glenn, K and Habib, A. (2005).
Final Report: National Marine Sediments Database and Seafloor characteristics project. Geoscience Australia.
Hooper, J. N and Ekins, M. (2004).
Collation and validation of museum collection databases related to the distribution of marine sponges in northern Australia.
Mapstone, B. D, Davies, C. R, Little, L. R, Punt, A. E, Smith, A. D. M, Pantus, F, Lou, D. C, Williams, A. J, Jones, A, Ayling, A. M, Russ, G. R and McDonald, A. D. (2004).
The Effects of Line Fishing on the Great Barrier Reef and Evaluations of Alternative Potential Management Strategies.
Oxley, W. G, Emslie, M, Muir, P and Thompson, A. A. (2004).
Marine Surveys undertaken in the Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve, March 2004.
Harris, P, Heap, A. D, Passlow, V, Sbaffi, L, Fellows, M, Porter-Smith, R, Buchanan, C and Daniell, J. (2003).
Geomorphic features of the continental margin of Australia.
Oxley, W. G, Ayling, A. M, Cheal, A. J and Thompson, A. A. (2003).
Marine Surveys undertaken in the Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve, March-April 2003.
Baker, G. B, Gales, R, Hamilton, S and Wilkinson, V. (2002).
Albatrosses and petrels in Australia: a review of their conservation and management.
Bulman, C. M, He, X and Koslow, J. A. (2002).
Trophic ecology of the mid-slope demersal fish community off southern Tasmania, Australia.
Pogonoski, J. J, Paxton, J. R and Pollard, D. A. (2002).
Conservation overview and action plan for Australian threatened and potentially threatened marine and estuarine fishes.
Smith, D., Papacek, D. and Hallam, M. (2002).
Report on Visit to the Coringa - Herald Nature Reserve and SE Magdelaine Cay, 15-22 March 2002 with regard to the releasing and establishment of parasitoids and ladybird predators of the pest scale Pulvinaria urbicola on Pisonia grandis and the assessment of biocontrol options for hawkmoths..
Smith, D., Papacek, D. and Smith, J. (2001).
Report On Visit to the Coringa - Herald Nature Reserve 17-21 December 2001 with regard to the releasing of parasitoids and ladybird predators of the pest scale Pulvinaria urbicola on Pisonia grandis..
Claridge, G and Wbm Oceanics, Australia (1997).
Guidelines for managing visitation to seabird breeding islands Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Ferreira, B and Russ, G. R. (1995).
Population structure of the leopard coralgrouper, Plectropomus leopardus, on fished and unfished reefs off Townsville, Central Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
TOP