Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs

Aerial view of Elizabeth Reef from helicopter.
Aerial view of Middleton Reef
Underwater image of Elizabeth Reef (photo by Jacquetta Udy)
Nudibranch on Elizabeth Reef (photo by Jacquetta Udy)
Blue Hole, Middleton Reef
Blue Hole, Middleton Reef

Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs

  • Pays: 
    Australie
  • Numéro du site: 
    1223
  • Superficie: 
    187'726 ha
  • Date d’inscription: 
    21-10-2002
  • Coordonnées: 
    29°41'S 159°04'E
Le matériel présenté sur ce site web, et en particulier les cartes et l’information territoriale, est tel qu’il apparaît dans les données disponibles et n’implique en aucune manière l’expression d’une opinion quelconque de la part du Secrétariat de la Convention de Ramsar concernant le statut juridique de tout pays, territoire, ville ou zone, ou de ses autorités, ou concernant la délimitation de ses frontières ou limites.

Panorama

The Site comprises two coral atolls located 50km apart in the Tasman Sea which are the southernmost open ocean platform reefs in the word. Their coral structures, which stand on isolated, oceanic sea mounts, are influenced by both tropical and temperate ocean currents. They support a diverse marine fauna, including seven heretofore undescribed fish and three endemic mollusc species, and are the only known habitat for these species in a vast area of ocean. To date, at least 195 fish species from 36 families have been recorded at the Site. The reefs are a stronghold for predatory fish and sharks, including black cod (Epinephelus daemelii) and Galapagos reef sharks (Carcharhinus galapagensis). A large number of shipwrecks in the Site also give the area considerable marine archaeological significance.

Région administrative: 
Australia’s East Marine Region

  • Inscription légale nationale: 
    • Marine Park - Lord Howe Marine Park
  • Date de dernière publication: 
    25-03-2025

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