The location of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, around 2,750 kms north-west of Perth, makes it home to one of Australia's most remote communities. Most of the islands' community members are Cocos Malay, who maintain vibrant and unique cultural traditions including strong cultural connections to the surrounding marine environment. The lagoon and ocean are an important part of life for all community members living on this remote atoll. The tropical waters and marine habitats that surround the Cocos (Keeling) Islands contain a mix of coral reef species from both the Indian and Pacific Oceans and over 600 species of fish have been recorded in the region. The overlap of these waters gives rise to varieties of hybrid marine fish and endemic species that are found nowhere else on earth. The central lagoon system and outer reefs are important habitats. The lagoon encompasses a variety of unique and distinct habitats. This includes seagrass which is essential for the resident green turtle population (which is a genetically distinct stock that is unique to the islands) as well as for sustaining fish populations. The outer reef habitats are dominated by hard and soft corals and have a high abundance and diversity of reef fish and other species. The offshore waters and habitats of Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park are relatively poorly studied. However, we know that they contain a range of unique seafloor features, habitats and species, particularly seamounts, deep-sea plains and a significant deep-sea ridgeline. The marine park also protects the foraging habitat of thousands of seabirds which nest on North Keeling Island (Pulu Keeling National Park) as well as species like dolphins, deep sea fish and sharks that are or may be threatened elsewhere in the region.
Research
These short articles highlight the findings from ongoing scientific research within the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park, including exciting new discoveries and ideas for future projects.
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.
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 areas of Australia's oceans have similar characteristics.
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 Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park individually through the links below.
See where species richness is at its highest and lowest across Australian Marine Parks.
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.
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