Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p71
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 201249–204110

proved particularly vulnerable to these disturbances because isolation has limited their recovery (Hobbs 2006). Coral bleaching, crown-of-thorns starfish and coral disease have also affected reefs in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands / Christmas Island region.
More recently, an outbreak of white syndrome coral disease resulted in widespread mortality of Acropora plate corals at Christmas Island in 2008 (Hobbs and Frisch, 2010). White syndrome disease was also present in 2008 on five coral colonies at the southern atoll but no disease was recorded on plate corals at North Keeling Island (Hobbs and Frisch, 2010).
Colonies exhibiting white syndrome at the southern atoll were observed over a four-week period, and the white band, marking the progress of the disease across the colony, indicated that tissue death was most likely due to disease and not predation by snails or starfish. The potential loss of Acropora plate corals due to white syndrome will not only affect coral community structure but also other reef organisms that rely on this habitat-forming coral for shelter or food (Hobbs et al 2010a).
Underwater surveys conducted at 11 sites from 1997 to 2005 revealed that the coral reef community at Cocos (Keeling) Islands was generally healthy and in a stable period with little anthropogenic impact. Live coral cover was high and there was minimal impact from coral damage, bleaching and disease. Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) were recorded at high densities at four sites, including one site at North Keeling; however, there did not appear to be a clear impact of the starfish on hard coral cover. Continued monitoring of crown-of-thorns abundance is necessary to understanding patterns in starfish abundance and their impact on the reef community, particularly hard corals (Hobbs et al 2005).
A more recent 2010 survey conducted at North Keeling Island found no sign of coral bleaching, white syndrome coral disease or crown-of-thorns starfish. These three stressors still pose a significant future threat to marine biodiversity within the Pulu Keeling National Park.
Management of the park should continue to minimise the effect of local stressors (e.g. pollution, fishing of herbivorous fishes) to ensure the reefs within the park have the best chance of coping with global threats and maximise the recovery from any impacts (Hobbs 2010).
Changes in the lagoon and associated ecosystems
As noted earlier, the entrance to the lagoon from the ocean closed in 2005 as a result of natural forces of deposition. Prior to the closure of the entrance, the lagoon was largely sandy with extensive seagrass beds. Muddier areas occurred on the northern, southern and western shores of the lagoon and were inhabited by large mud crabs (Scylla sp.). Some small corals lived near the lagoon entrance and green turtles often entered the lagoon