Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00327:front:0:p10
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00327
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 26045–28871

and priorities;
  * consider the adequacy of knowledge of marine park values, uses, pressures, social and economic benefits and impacts;
  * consider the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation, and the appropriateness of key indicators and performance measures;
  * identify and prioritise future management actions;
  * provide information to enable adaptive management; and
  * inform the development of a new management plan for the Coral Sea Marine Park at the conclusion of this plan.

The Coral Sea Marine Park
Booby nesting on sand cay (Martin Russell)

The Coral Sea Marine Park
The Coral Sea Marine Park covers 989 836 km² and extends from Cape York Peninsula to an east–west line approximately 40 km north of Bundaberg in Queensland. The nearest point of the Marine Park to mainland Australia is approximately 60 km and it extends to approximately 1100 km from the coast (Figure 2.1). An overview of the Marine Park and its values is provided in Schedule 2.
Traditional owners have managed and used sea country within the Coral Sea Marine Park for tens of thousands of years. The Marine Park is popular for activities such as fishing, snorkelling, diving and boating. Tourism operators offer unique experiences for visitors to enjoy the offshore reefs, islands, cays and deep-water environments. Although the Marine Park is remote and far offshore, opportunities exist for recreational use, particularly around offshore atolls and reefs.
There are significant industries in the Coral Sea Marine Park, including commercial fishing and shipping that contribute to economic growth, employment and social wellbeing in coastal towns and communities. Activities and businesses that support these industries such as marine industry suppliers and repair yards are also important sources of employment for coastal communities.
The marine environment of the Coral Sea Marine Park is characterised by shallow-water tropical marine ecosystems, a large area of continental shelf and continental slope, two areas of abyssal plain with depths to 6000 m, high incidence of cyclones, high species diversity and globally significant populations of internationally threatened species. A small number of species are found nowhere else. There are approximately 34 reefs, and 56 cays and islets in the Marine Park, with a total reef area of approximately 15,024 km2. Most of the species in the Marine Park are tropical and are also found in other parts of the Pacific Ocean; many of them are shared with the North and Temperate East Marine Regions. The seafloor features of the Marine Park are diverse and include coral reefs, soft sediments and canyons that support high species diversity. A key example is Bligh Canyon in the north of the Marine Park, which is 200 km long, 10 km wide and cuts 300 m into the seafloor.
The Coral Sea