Protected species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority works to conserve protected species by identifying those species that are threatened, iconic or at risk, the threats to their survival, and developing appropriate management actions.
A protected species is a plant or animal in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park that is protected by law and needs special management. Protected species are classified as either threatened, iconic or at risk:
- A protected species is classified as threatened if its population has declined within and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef
- A protected species is classified as iconic if it is one of Australia’s most well-known plants or animals and require special management in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- A protected species is classified as at risk if faces pressure from human-related pressure activities within and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef.
These species include:
- Some shells - helmet shells, triton shells, tridacnid clams
- Some fish - seahorses, pipefish, sea dragons, potato cod, Queensland grouper, barramundi cod, Maori wrasse, all groupers (Epinephelus) more than 100cm
- Some sharks - whale shark, grey nurse shark, great white shark, freshwater sawfish
- Sea snakes
- Crocodiles
- Marine turtles
- Birds
- Seals
- Whales and Dolphins
- Dugongs.
These animals are the primary focus of the Species Conservation Unit of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Related Links
- Policy on Managing Activities That Include the Direct Take of a Protected Species From the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Operational Policy on Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Guidelines for Managing Visitation to Seabird Breeding Islands
- Marine Turtles in the Great Barrier Reef Work Heritage Area
- Fauna and Flora of the Great Barrier Reef Work Heritage Area
- Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service