Ashmore Reef Marine Park is situated about 630 kilometres north of Broome, and just 110 kilometres south of the Indonesian Island of Roti. Ashmore Reef was first proclaimed a marine reserve in 1983 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Atc 1975. The marine park surrounds the largest of three emergent oceanic reefs in the region, and is considered a biodiversity hotspot for benthic and pelagic organisms. Reef ecosystems within the marine park are covered with hard and soft corals, huge sea fans, a variety of sea sponges and many different encrusting organisms. Seagrass meadows provide foraging grounds for dugongs and turtles, and the fish community is one of the most diverse in Western Australia. Ashmore Reef Marine Park is also an important breeding and foraging site for many shore and migratory seabirds, and is listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
Video
This short video shows some of the unique and diverse marine life that frequents the Ashmore Reef Marine Park, including many shark and ray species.
Research
These short articles highlight the findings from ongoing scientific research within the Ashmore Reef Marine Park, including exciting new discoveries and ideas for future projects.
At the very edge of continental Australia lies a biological powerhouse. Isolated by hundreds of kilometres of ocean and visible only by a few tiny specks of land, Ashmore Reef is a unique place with a globally important role to play. A visionary scientific partnership, mixing new and old survey methods, is now delivering the data and insight Parks Australia needs to improve management of this ocean oasis.
Ashmore Reef corals faced heat waves in 2016 and 2017 and escaped with relatively little damage, despite unusually warm ocean temperatures in 2016 causing extensive coral bleaching and the death of corals on many reefs across the world.
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.
Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems, which typically exist between 30-150m depth, represent an unexplored but important part of our marine environment. We undertook extensive surveys of the mesophotic zone of Ashmore Reef to better understand the diversity and distribution of marine communities around the reef and help inform future management of this iconic and isolated marine ecosystem.
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.
A re-survey of sites within the North-west Marine Park Network revealed an increase in fish biomass, richness, biomass of larger fishes, coral cover and macro-invertebrate density at Ashmore Reef Marine Park (IUCN Ia). Many of these changes were not recorded at fished reference sites, suggesting the strict sanctuary zoning is having a positive effect.
Shark numbers increase dramatically eight years following concerted efforts to reduce illegal fishing at Ashmore Reef
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 Ashmore Reef 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 Ashmore Reef marine park and adjacent waters. Click on the links to access to the publications.
Speed, Conrad W, Cappo, Mike and Meekan, Mark G (2018).
Evidence for rapid recovery of shark populations within a coral reef marine protected area.
D'Anastasi, B. R., Van Herwerden, L., Hobbs, J. A., Simpfendorfer, C. A. and Lukoschek, V. (2016).
New range and habitat records for threatened Australian sea snakes raise challenges for conservation.
Jones, R. (2016).
Corals of the north west of Western Australia: biogeography and considerations for dredging-related research.
Rosser, N. L. (2016).
Demographic history and asynchronous spawning shape genetic differentiation among populations of the hard coral Acropora tenuis in Western Australia.
Bryce, M and Poliseno, A. (2014).
Two new records of octocorals (Anthozoa, Octocorallia) from north-west Australia.
Clarke, R. H. and Herrod, A. (2014).
Seabirds and Shorebirds at Ashmore Reef, Cartier Island and Browse Island: Monitoring program for the Montara Well release - Ninth Post-impact Field Survey.
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.
Hodgson, J. C and Clarke, R. H. (2014).
A review of the Tropical Fire Ant Solenopsis geminata pilot control program at Ashmore Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve.
Lavers, J. L, Herrod, A and Clarke, R. H (2014).
Predation of Greater Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) Eggs by Juvenile Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) on Ashmore Reef..
Anonymous (2013).
Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) - Ashmore Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve (formerly Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve).
Clarke, R. H and Herrod, A. (2013).
Seabirds and Shorebirds at Ashmore Reef, Cartier Island and Browse Island: Monitoring program for the Montara Well release - Eighth Post-impact Field Survey.
Clarke, R. H. and Herrod, A. (2013).
Seabirds and Shorebirds at Ashmore Reef, Cartier Island and Browse Island: Monitoring program for the Montara Well release - Seventh Post-impact Field Survey.
Lavers, J. L, Hodgson, J. C and Clarke, R. H. (2013).
Prevalence and composition of marine debris in Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) nests at Ashmore Reef.
Lukoschek, V, Beger, M, Ceccarelli, D, Richards, Z and Pratchett, M. (2013).
Enigmatic declines of Australia's sea snakes from a biodiversity hotspot.
PTTEP (2013).
Montara Environmental Monitoring Program: Report of Research.
Rosser, N. L. (2013).
Biannual coral spawning decreases at higher latitudes on Western Australian reefs.
Clarke, R. H. (2012).
Seabirds and Shorebirds at Ashmore Reef and Cartier and Browse Islands: Monitoring program for the Montara Well release - Fifth Post-impact Field Survey.
Clarke, R. H. and Herrod, A. (2012).
Seabirds and Shorebirds at Ashmore Reef, Cartier Island and Browse Island: Monitoring program for the Montara Well release - Sixth Post-impact Field Survey.
Guinea, M. L. (2012).
Surveys of the sea snakes and sea turtles on reefs of the Sahul shelf, monitoring program for the montara well release timor sea.
Heyward, A, Jones, R, Travers, M, Burns, K, Suosaari, G, Colquhoun, J, Case, M, Radford, B, Meekan, M, Markey, K, Schenk, T, O'Leary, R. A, Brooks, K, Tinkler, P, Cooper, T and Emslie, M. (2012).
Montara: 2011 Shallow Reef Surveys at Ashmore.
Kamrowski, R. L, Limpus, C, Moloney, J and Hamann, M. (2012).
Coastal light pollution and marine turtles: assessing the magnitude of the problem.
Breen, P.A (2011).
Review of seven 1998--2009 surveys of trochus and holothurians at Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island.
Ceccarelli, D. M, Beger, M, Kospartov, M. C, Richards, Z. T and Birrell, C. L. (2011).
Population trends of remote invertebrate resources in a marine reserve: trochus and holothurians at Ashmore Reef.
Ceccarelli, D. M, Richards, Z. T, Pratchett, M. S and Cvitanovic, C. (2011).
Rapid increase in coral cover on an isolated coral reef, the Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve, north-western Australia.
Clarke, R. H, Carter, M, Swann, G and Thomson, J. (2011).
The status of breeding seabirds and herons at Ashmore Reef, off the Kimberley coast, Australia.
Rogers, D. I, Hassell, C. J, Boyle, A, Gosbell, K, Minton, C, Rogers, K. G and Clarke, R. H. (2011).
Shorebirds of the Kimberley Coast-Populations, key sites, trends and threats.
Heyward, A, Radford, B, Burns, K, Colquhoun, J and Moore, C. (2010).
Montara Surveys: Final report on Benthic Surveys at Ashmore, Cartier and Seringapatam Reefs.
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.
Richards, Z, Beger, M, Hobbs, J. P, Bowling, T, Chong-Seng, K and Pratchett, M. (2009).
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and Cartier Island Marine Reserve Marine Survey 2009.
Bellio, M. G, Bayliss, P, Williams, A. J, van Dam, R, Fox, G. J and Moulden, J. H. (2007).
A preliminary ecological risk assessment of the impact of tropical fire ants (Solenopsis geminata) on colonies of seabirds at Ashmore Reef.
Ceccarelli, D. M, Kospartov, M. C, Beger, M, Richards, Z and Birrell, C. (2007).
Ashmore Reef 2006 survey of the distribution and abundance of trochus, holothurians and tridacnid clams, to assess the impact of recent illegal fishing on target invertebrate stocks.
Guinea, M. L. (2007).
Sea snakes of Ashmore Reef, Hibernia Reef and Cartier Island with comments on Scott Reef.
Stacey, N. (2007).
Boats to burn: Bajo fishing activity in the Australian fishing zone (p. 222).
Kospartov, M, Beger, M, Ceccarelli, D. M and Richards, Z. T. (2006).
An assessment of the distribution and abundance of the sea cucumbers, trochus, giant clams, coral, fish and invasive marine species at Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and Cartier Island Marine Reserve: 2005.
Brown, K and Skewes, T. (2005).
A preliminary assessment of the ecology of seagrasses at Ashmore Reef.
Russell, B. C, Neil, K and Hilliard, R. (2004).
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and Cartier Island Marine Reserve Marine and Terrestrial Introduced Species Prevention and Management Strategy.
Rees, M, Colquhoun, J, Smith, L and Heyward, A. (2003).
Surveys of Trochus, Holothuria, Giant Clams and the Coral Communities at Ashmore Reef, Cartier Reef, and Mermaid Reef, Northwestern Australia: 2003.
Sprintall, J, Potemra, J. T, Hautala, S. L, Bray, N. A and Pandoe, W. W. (2003).
Temperature and salinity variability in the exit passages of the Indonesian Throughflow.
Australia, Commonwealth of (2002).
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and Cartier Island Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters) Management Plans.
Moritz, C, Broderick, D, Dethmers, K, FitzSimmons, N and Limpus, C. (2002).
Population genetics of Southeast Asian and Western Pacific green turtles, Chelonia mydas.
Stacey, N. (2001).
Crossing Borders: Implications of the Memoradum of Understanding on Bajo fishing activity in northern Australian waters.
Clark, P. (2000).
Ashmore Reef: Archaeological evidence of past visitation.
Smith, L, Rees, M, Heyward, A and Colquhoun, J. (2000).
Survey 2000: Beche-de-mer and trochus populations at Ashmore Reef.
Milton, D. A. (1999).
Survey and stock size estimates of the shallow reef (0-15 m deep) and shoal area (15-50 m deep) marine resources and habitat mapping within the Timor Sea MOU74 Box.
Skewes, T. D, Dennis, D. M, Jacobs, D. R, Gordon, S. R, Taranto, T. J, Haywood, M, Pitcher, C. R, Smith, G. P, Milton, D and Poiner, I. R. (1999).
Survey and stock size estimates of the shallow reef (0-15 m deep) and shoal area (15-50 m deep) marine resources and habitat mapping within the Timor Sea MOU74 Box: Volume 1: Stock estimates and stock status..
Skewes, T. D, Grodon, S. R, McLeod, I. R, Taranto, T. J, Dennis, D. M, Jacobs, D. R, Pitcher, C. R, Haywood, M, Smith, G. P, Poiner, I. R, Milton, D, Griffin, D and Hunter, C. (1999).
Survey and stock size estimates of the shallow reef (0-15 m deep) and shoal area (15-50 m deep) marine resources and habitat mapping within the Timor Sea MOU74 Box: Volume II: Habitat mapping and coral dieback.
Griffith, J. K. (1997).
The corals collected during September/October 1997 at Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea-a report to Parks Australia.
Allen, G. R. (1996).
New records of reef and shore fishes from north-western Australia.
Berry, P. F. (1993).
Part 1. Historical background, description of the physical environments of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island and notes on exploited species. Marine Faunal Surveys of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island, north-western Australia..
Marsh, L. M. (1993).
Cnidaria, other than reef-building corals, of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island.
Marsh, L. M. (1993).
Echinoderms of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island.
Morgan, G. J and Berry, P. F. (1993).
Decapod Crustacea of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island.
Russell, B. C and Vail, L. L. (1988).
Report on Traditional Indonesian Fishing Activities at Ashmore Reef Nature Reserve.
Guinea, M. (20).
Surveys of the Sea Snakes and Sea Turtles on Reefs of the Sahul Shelf: Monitoring Program for the Montara Well Release Timor Sea - Monitoring Study S6 Sea Snakes / Turtles.
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