Today, 20th March 2022, Minister for Environment Sussan Ley, announced the establishment of the Indian Ocean Territories Marine Parks.
The marine parks, at 744,000 square kilometers, are twice the size of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and will provide critical protection to Indian Ocean marine life, some of which is found nowhere else on earth.
These new marine parks are a part of a network of 60 marine parks managed by Parks Australia, through Australian Marine Parks and extends their protection of Commonwealth waters from 37% to 45%.
The area that the new parks cover is an important habitat for fish (including endemic hybrids), sea birds, turtles, whales, whale sharks, and of course the famous Christmas Island red crabs. This area has previously been under enormous pressure from commercial fishing, mining, and climate change.
A massive congratulations to all involved in this important and exciting initiative.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT PARKS AUSTRALIA
Maps provided by Parks Australia
