There are eight Australian Marine Parks off the coast of New South Wales, making up the Temperate East Marine Parks Network. Waters off internationally-renowned tourism destinations Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island are part of the Temperate East. These marine parks cover 383,339 square kilometres, and are rich with coral, crustaceans, echinoderms, molluscs and sea sponges. They support the vulnerable black cod, marine turtle and bony fish, as well as being important breeding grounds for seabirds. Here you'll find important offshore reef habitat around Elizabeth and Middleton reefs, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. Migratory humpback whales make their way through the region annually on their way to breeding grounds in Queensland.
Biodiversity
The Temperate East Marine Parks Network has high species diversity, globally significant populations of internationally threatened marine species and a small number of species endemic to the area. The marine environment is characterised by the meeting of warm waters from the Coral Sea and the colder nutrient rich waters from the Tasman Sea, and the mixing of these two water masses brings together a diverse array of tropical, subtropical and temperate marine species which are found to flourish alongside each other in this area. Warm and cold water corals, sponges and fish can all be found in abundance in this region, as well as the critically endangered grey nurse shark, and the migratory humpback whale.
Research
These short articles highlight the findings from ongoing scientific research within the Temperate East Network, including exciting new discoveries and ideas for future projects.
As ocean temperatures continue to rise, a pressing challenge is to increase our understanding of the spatial distribution and characteristics of the critical habitats that support mesophotic reefs and associated demersal fish assemblages. Lord Howe Marine Park in the Tasman Sea protects the southern-most mesophotic coral reefs in the world, including Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs.
Scientific papers
The following publications contain information relevant to marine parks in the Temperate East network and adjacent waters. Click on the links to access to the publications.
Linklater, M, Carroll, A. G, Hamylton, S. M, Jordan, A. R, Brooke, B. P, Nichol, S. L and Woodroffe, C. D. (2016).
High coral cover on a mesophotic, subtropical island platform at the limits of coral reef growth.
Linklater, M. (2016).
Past and present coral distribution at the latitudinal limit of reef development, southwest Pacific Ocean.
Linklater, M, Brooke, B. P, Hamylton, S. M, Nichol, S. L and Woodroffe, C. D. (2015).
Submerged fossil reefs discovered beyond the limit of modern reef growth in the Pacific Ocean.
Marzinelli, E.M, Williams, S.B, Babcock, R.C, Barrett, N.S, Johnson, C.R, Jordan, A, Kendrick, G.A, Pizarro, O.R, Smale, D.A and Steinberg, P.D. (2015).
Large-scale geographic variation in distribution and abundance of Australian deep-water kelp forests.
McLean, D. L, Green, M, Harvey, E. S, Williams, A, Daley, R and Graham, K. J. (2015).
Comparison of baited longlines and baited underwater cameras for assessing the composition of continental slope deepwater fish assemblages off southeast Australia.
Nichol, S. L. (2015).
Submarine Canyons: Their role in shaping biodiversity patterns on the Australian margin Fact Sheet.
Sommerfeld, J, Kato, A, Ropert-Coudert, Y, Garthe, S, Wilcox, C and Hindell, M. A. (2015).
Flexible foraging behaviour in a marine predator, the Masked booby (Sula dactylatra), according to foraging locations and environmental conditions.
West, L. D, Stark, K. E, Murphy, J. J, Lyle, J. M and Ochwada-Doyle, F. A. (2015).
Survey of Recreational Fishing in New South Wales and the ACT, 2013/14..
Authority, Australian Fisheries Management (2014).
Residual Risk Assessment Teleost and Chondrichthyan Species. Report for the Scalefish Automatic Longline Method of the Gillnet Hook and Trap Sector.
Bruce, E, Albright, L, Sheehan, S and Blewitt, M. (2014).
Distribution patterns of migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Jervis Bay, Australia: A spatial analysis using geographical citizen science data.
Hoey, A. S, Pratchett, M. S, Johansen, J and Hoey, J. (2014).
2014 Marine ecological survey of Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Lord Howe Commonwealth Marine Reserve.
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.
Scott, A, Hardefeldt, J. M and Hall, K. C. (2014).
Asexual propagation of sea anemones that host anemonefishes: implications for the marine ornamental aquarium trade and restocking programs.
Smith, K. R, Scarpaci, C, Scarr, M. J and Otway, N. M. (2014).
Scuba diving tourism with critically endangered grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus) off eastern Australia: tourist demographics, shark behaviour and diver compliance.
Falkner, I, Barbosa, S and Byrne, M. (2013).
Reproductive biology of four ophiocomid ophiuroids in tropical and temperate Australia-reproductive cycle and oogenic strategies in species with different modes of development.
Haward, M, Davidson, J, Lockwood, M, Hockings, M, Kriwoken, L and Allchin, R. (2013).
Climate change, scenarios and marine biodiversity conservation.
Knuckey, I, Bravington, M, Peel, D, Koopman, M, Fuller, M, Klaer, N, Day, J, Upston, J and Hudson, R. (2013).
Implementation of a fishery independent survey for the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery.
Lach, L and Barker, G. (2013).
Asessing the Effectiveness of Tramp Ant Projects to Reduce Impacts on Biodiversity.
Lach, L and Barker, G. (2013).
Assessing the Effectiveness of Tramp Ant Projects to Reduce Impacts on Biodiversity.
Anderson, K, Pratchett, M and Baird, A. (2012).
Summer growth rates of corals at Lord Howe Island, Australia.
Authority, Australian Fisheries Management (2012).
Residual Risk Assessment of the Level 2 Productivity Susceptibility Analysis. Non-Teleost and Non-Chondrichthyan Species.
Edgar, G. J and Barrett, N. S. (2012).
An assessment of population responses of common inshore fishes and invertebrates following declaration of five Australian marine protected areas.
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.
Hammerton, Z, Dimmock, K, Hahn, C, Dalton, S. J and Smith, S. D. (2012).
Scuba diving and marine conservation: collaboration at two Australian subtropical destinations.
Huang, Z, McArthur, M , Radke, L, Anderson, T, Nichol, S, Siwabessy, J and Brooke, B. (2012).
Developing physical surrogates for benthic biodiversity using co-located samples and regression tree models: a conceptual synthesis for a sandy temperate embayment.
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.
Malcolm, H.A, Foulsham, E, Pressey, R.L, Jordan, A, Davies, P.L, Ingleton, T, Johnstone, N, Hessey, S and Smith, S.D. (2012).
Selecting zones in a marine park: early systematic planning improves cost-efficiency; combining habitat and biotic data improves effectiveness.
van der Meer, M. H, Hobbs, J. P. A, Jones, G. P and Van Herwerden, L. (2012).
Genetic connectivity among and self-replenishment within island populations of a restricted range subtropical reef fish.
2011., State of the Environment Committee. (2011).
Australia State of the Environment 2011: Chapter 6 Marine environment..
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.
Condie, S. A, Mansbridge, J. V and Cahill, M. L. (2011).
Contrasting local retention and cross-shore transports of the East Australian Current and the Leeuwin Current and their relative influences on the life histories of small pelagic fishes.
Kennedy, D. M, Brooke, B. P, Woodroffe, C. D, Jones, B. G, Waikari, C and Nichol, S. (2011).
The geomorphology of the flanks of the Lord Howe Island volcano, Tasman Sea, Australia.
Malcolm, H. A and Authority, N. M. P. (2011).
Cross-shelf patterns of black cod Epinephelus daemelii at three important locations in Northern Rivers marine waters.
Otway, N. M and Ellis, M. T. (2011).
Pop-up archival satellite tagging of Carcharias taurus: movements and depth/temperature-related use of south-eastern Australian waters.
Pratchett, M.S , Hobbs, J.P.A, Hoey, A.S, Baird, A.H, Ayling, A.M, Gudge, S and Choat, J.H. (2011).
Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve Marine Survey 2011.
West, J. G. (2011).
Changing patterns of shark attacks in Australian waters.
Ceccarelli, D. (2010).
Research and Monitoring in Australia's Commonwealth Marine Protected Areas: A Review.
Noreen, A. M. (2010).
Ecological and evolutionary connectivity of reef corals in subtropical eastern Australia: implications for the persistence of high-latitude coral populations.
NSW, Marine Parks Authority (2010).
Lord Howe Island Marine Park Summary of Research and Monitoring.
Smith, S. D and Simpson, R. D. (2010).
Nearshore corals of the Coffs Harbour region, mid north coast, New South Wales.
Stuart-Smith, R, Stuart-Smith, J, Cooper, A and Edgar, G. (2009).
Baseline biodiversity survey of the Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve May 2009.
Van Herwerden, L, Klanten, O. S, Choat, J. H, Jerry, D. R and Robbins, W. D. (2009).
Connectivity of Black Cod Epinephelus daemelii Between Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs (as Measured by Population Genetic Structure Based on Microsatellites).
Patterson, H. M and Swearer, S. E. (2008).
Origin of yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, from Lord Howe Island, Australia, inferred from otolith chemistry.
Smith, S. D, Rule, M. J, Harrison, M and Dalton, S. J. (2008).
Monitoring the sea change: preliminary assessment of the conservation value of nearshore reefs, and existing impacts, in a high-growth, coastal region of subtropical eastern Australia.
Van Herwerden, L, Almojil, D and Choat, H. (2008).
Population genetic structure of Australian Galapagos reef sharks Carcharhinus galapagensis at Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve and Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
Appleyard, S and Ward, R. (2007).
Genetic connectedness between black cod (E. daemelii) collections along the NSW coast and the Elizabeth & Middleton Reefs Reserve: Final Report to the Department of Environment and Water Resources, June 2007.
Brewer, D, Flynn, A, Skewes, T, Corfield, J, Pearson, B, Alowa, J and Young, J. (2007).
Ecosystems of the East Marine Region.
Rule, M. J and Smith, S. D. (2007).
Depth-associated patterns in the development of benthic assemblages on artificial substrata deployed on shallow, subtropical reefs.
Thalmann, S, Baker, G. B, Hindell, M, Double, M. C and Gales, R. (2007).
Using biometric measurements to determine gender of Flesh-footed Shearwaters, and their application as a tool in long-line by-catch management and ecological field studies.
Choat, J. H, Van Herwerden, L, Robbins, W. D, Hobbs, J. P and Ayling, A. M. (2006).
A report on the ecological surveys undertaken at Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs, February 2006.
Dickson, M. E. (2006).
Shore platform development around Lord Howe Island, southwest Pacific.
Hughes, L. E and Lowry, J. K. (2006).
New species of Amphipoda (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the Solitary Islands, New South Wales, Australia.
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.
Parks, Director of National (2006).
Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve Management Plan 2006-2013.
Phillips, B, Hale, J and Maliel, M. (2006).
Ecological character of the Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve Wetland of International Importance.
Woodroffe, C. D, Kennedy, D. M, Brooke, B. P and Dickson, M. E. (2006).
Geomorphological evolution of Lord Howe Island and carbonate production at the latitudinal limit to reef growth.
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).
Millar, A. J and Freshwater, D. W. (2005).
Morphology and molecular phylogeny of the marine algal order Gelidiales (Rhodophyta) from New South Wales, including Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands.
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.
Woodroffe, C. D, Dickson, M. E, Brooke, B. P and Kennedy, D. M. (2005).
Episodes of reef growth at Lord Howe Island, the southernmost reef in the southwest Pacific.
Hooper, J. N and Ekins, M. (2004).
Collation and validation of museum collection databases related to the distribution of marine sponges in northern Australia.
Oxley, W. G, Ayling, A. M, Cheal, A. J and Osborne, K. (2004).
Marine surveys undertaken in the Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve, December 2003.
Schirmer, J, Casey, A. M and Mazur, N. (2004).
Socio-economic impact assessment of the proposed Cod Grounds Marine Protected Area.
Speare, P, Cappo, M, Rees, M, Brownlie, J and Oxley, W. (2004).
Deeper water fish and benthic surveys in the Lord Howe Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters): February 2004.
Brooke, B. P, Murray-Wallace, C. V, Woodroffe, C. D and Heijnis, H. (2003).
Quaternary aminostratigraphy of eolianite on Lord Howe Island, southwest Pacific Ocean.
Clark, M, Roberts, C, Williams, A and Last, P. (2003).
Voyage report of a biodiversity survey of seamounts and slopes of the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Rise (NORFANZ), May-June 2003.
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.
Kennedy, D. M. (2003).
Surface lagoonal sediments on Lord Howe Island, Tasman Sea.
Otway, N. M, Burke, A. L, Morrison, N. S and Parker, P. C. (2003).
Monitoring and identification of NSW critical habitat sites for conservation of grey nurse sharks.
Williams, A, Althaus, F and Gowlett-Holmes, K. (2003).
Biodiversity survey of seamounts & slopes of the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Rise.
Harriott, V. J and Smith, S. D. A. (2002).
Coral population dynamics in a subtropical coral community, Solitary Islands Marine Park, Australia.
Kennedy, D. M, Woodroffe, C. D, Jones, B. G, Dickson, M. E and Phipps, C. V. G. (2002).
Carbonate sedimentation on subtropical shelves around Lord Howe Island and Balls Pyramid, southwest Pacific.
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.
Oke, P. R and Middleton, J. H. (2001).
Nutrient enrichment off Port Stephens: the role of the East Australian Current.
Smith, S. D and Rule, M. J. (2001).
The effects of dredge-spoil dumping on a shallow water soft-sediment community in the Solitary Islands Marine Park, NSW, Australia.
Kraft, G. T. (2000).
Marine and estuarine benthic green algae (Chlorophyta) of Lord Howe Island, south-western Pacific.
Otway, N. M and Parker, P. C. (2000).
The biology, ecology, distribution, abundance and identification of marine protected areas for the conservation of threatened grey nurse sharks in south east Australian waters.
Pogonoski, J. (2000).
Black Roskcod - Epinephelus daemelii.
Zann, L. P. (2000).
The eastern Australian region: a dynamic tropical/temperate biotone.
Fairfull, S. J. L and Harriott, V. J. (1999).
Succession, space and coral recruitment in a subtropical fouling community.
Harriott, V. J, Banks, S. A, Mau, R. L, Richardson, D and Roberts, L. G. (1999).
Ecological and conservation significance of the subtidal rocky reef communities of northern New South Wales, Australia.
Claridge, G and Wbm Oceanics, Australia (1997).
Guidelines for managing visitation to seabird breeding islands Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Koslow, J. A. (1997).
Seamounts and the ecology of deep-sea fisheries: The firm-bodied fishes that feed around seamounts are biologically distinct from their deepwater neighbors--and may be especially vulnerable to overfishing.
Harriott, V. J., Harrison, P. L. and Banks, S. A. (1995).
The coral communities of Lord Howe Island.
Harriott, V. J, Smith, S. D. A and Harrison, P. L. (1994).
Patterns of coral community structure of subtropical reefs in the Solitary-Islands Marine Reserve, Eastern Australia.
Millar, A. J. K and Kraft, G. T. (1994).
Catalogue of marine benthic green algae (Chlorophyta) of New South Wales, including Lord Howe Island, south-western Pacific.
Millar, A. J. K and Kraft, G. T. (1994).
Catalogue of marine brown algae (Phaeophyta) of New South Wales, including Lord Howe Island, south-western Pacific.
Francis, M. P and Randall, J. E. (1993).
Further additions to the fish faunas of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, southwest Pacific Ocean.
Millar, A. J. K and Kraft, G. T. (1993).
Catalogue of marine and freshwater red algae (Rhodophyta) of New South Wales, including Lord Howe Island, south-western Pacific.
Veron, J. E. N and Done, T. J. (1979).
Corals and coral communities of Lord Howe Island.
Slater, R. A and Phipps, C. V. (1977).
A preliminary report on the coral reefs of Lord Howe Island and Elizabeth Reef, Australia. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Coral Reef Symposium.
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