Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p66
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 188100–191002

the hawksbill turtle and the green turtle occurring at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Nesting green turtles are occasionally observed on the southern atoll, and frequently on North Keeling Island, and are a globally unique genetic stock (Whiting et al 2014). Although hawksbill turtles are seen and are likely to reside around the island, nesting has not been recorded (Tranter 1997, pers. comm.). Olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) have been seen in the marine waters of the park. Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) and leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) have been observed on the southern atoll (Murray 2002, pers. comm.).
Fish
About 550 species of fish have been recorded in the seas of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Allen and Smith-Vanis 1994). Compared with other oceanic atolls, the islands' fish fauna appears impoverished (Allen 1989). Reasons for this may include the small physical size of the islands, the relative isolation and lack of surrounding island 'stepping stones', and limited surveys of fish (Allen 1989). Most fish found around the Cocos (Keeling) Islands have distributions that cover large areas of the Indo-Pacific region (Allen 1989). However, recent genetic research has shown a number of species to be hybridising. This is believed to be the result of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands' location at the confluence of the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean biogeographic provinces (Choat 2003, pers. comm.). Scientific surveys by James Cook University have identified a high degree of fish hybridisation around the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, which could ultimately result in the evolution of new species (Hobbs et al. 2008).

There is no confirmed endemism in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands fish fauna, although the Cocos angelfish (Centropyge joculator) is known only from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island. An undescribed goby of the genus Trimma may have the same distribution (Allen and Smith-Vaniz 1994).
Substantial populations of both butterflyfishes and sharks of several species in the park provide a good indication of a healthy fish fauna. Whale sharks (Rhinocodon typus) are also occasionally seen as they migrate past the atolls. Comparisons made between the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and other Indo-Pacific atolls reinforce the notion of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands being one of the last areas with pristine reef systems in the world (Choat 2003 pers. comm.).
Underwater visual surveys of the fish species of North Keeling Island were undertaken in November 2008 and March 2010 by James Cook University, resulting in 195 fish species being positively identified (Hobbs 2010).
An additional six species were added to the species list based on previous surveys (Lincoln Smith et al 1995), photographs and communications with local people. Therefore, at the time of preparing this plan, a total of 201 species of fish from 41 families had been recorded