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Coral Sea Heritage Park
The Coral sea is a unique part of the Pacific and an Australian historical treasure. Lying adjacent and seaward of the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea is one of the few places remaining on Earth where where populations of spectacular biodiversity have not been severely depleted, especially seabirds; sharks, including whale sharks; humpback, minke and killer whales; dolphins; turtles; billfish such as marlin and sailfish; tuna; and myriads of invertebrates, many of which are unknown to science (1) . |
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The Coral Sea's habitats are spectacularly diverse, with coral reefs, remote islands, sandy cays, underwater mountains (seamounts), abyssal plains and deep sea canyons.
The Coral Sea is one of the few places in Australia's oceans where there is currently no mining activity. While some commercial fishing does occur in region, it is not yet as intense as elsewhere in Australia.
The proposed Australian Coral Sea Heritage Park would be a highly protected, safe haven for globally threatened species that are rapidly declining around the world.
Extending east from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park the Park would encompass our maritime boundary with Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. With more than one million square kilometers, this new Park would be the world's largest. (see map below)
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 tales of survival.
Today, a growing dive tourism industry is voicing its wish to see the Australian Government protect this magnificent area.
The extraordinary natural and historic value of the Coral Sea offers the Australian Government an unparalleled opportunity to protect a vast area of the world's irreplaceable tropical marine environment and an area of great cultural significance.
The Coral Sea Heritage Heritage Park initiative is a collaborative effort involving AMCS, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, working together with the Pew Environment Group, the Oak Foundation, The Robertson Foundation and the Sandler Family Supporting Foundation. It forms part of Pew's Global Ocean Legacy.
Please join us in calling for a Coral Sea Heritage Park that can be protected now and for future generations.
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Take Action
Send a letter to the Hon Peter Garrett, AM, MP, Australia's Environment Minister by clicking here. |
(1) Wilkinson, C and South, R, An Australian Coral Sea Heritage Park © May 2008, Pew Charitable Trusts.
Map of proposed Coral Sea Heritage park. |
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Download a high resolution map (2.9 Mb pdf)
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Sea FactsThe deepest part of the Earth's oceans is the Mariana Trench, which is over 11km deep
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