The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) works to protect marine animal species that are threatened, iconic or at risk. By identifying the threats to the survival of these animals the GBRMPA can develop appropriate management actions. To report a stranded, sick or dead marine animals please contact the EPA Hotline on 1300 130 372.

A protected species is a plant or animal that is protected by law and needs special management. Species may be protected at an international, national, state or local level:

• International level: species that are listed as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered under IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red Data Book.

• National level: species that are a listed threatened species, a listed migratory species or a listed marine species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

• State level: species of marine mammal, bird or reptile that are prescribed as endangered wildlife, vulnerable wildlife or rare wildlife under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 of Queensland

• Local level: species mentioned in Table 29 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983.

In addition, protected species in the Great Barrier Reef are classified as either threatened, iconic or at risk:

1. A protected species is classified as 'threatened' if its population has declined within and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef
2. A protected species is classified as 'iconic' if it is one of Australia’s most well-known plants or animals and requires special management in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
3. A protected species is classified as 'at risk' if it faces pressure from human-related pressure activities within and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef.
   

There is a list of Protected Species for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, 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 and green 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. These protected marine species are an important part of the living maritime culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Great Barrier Reef region. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning 2003 recognises that under section 211 of the Native Title Act 1993 a native title holder may hunt, fish or gather in the exercise or enjoyment of his/her native title rights and interests.  This can be for the purpose of personal, domestic or non-commercial communal use without either having a permit or being included within a Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA).  Hunting these animals strengthens the cultural connections that Indigenous people have with the marine environment and some of the species are clan totems for different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups.

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