Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and Cartier Island Marine Reserve
Monitoring and research
The majority of Ashmore and all of Cartier are assigned the IUCN Category IA - Strict Nature Reserve, which means that they are protected areas managed mainly for scientific research or environmental monitoring. Research and monitoring are important aspects of the management of the reserves, providing information that allows management to be adapted as pressures and threats change over time.
Olive seasnake
Maria Beger, James Cook University
Environmental monitoring
DEWHA implements a program of environmental observations and monitoring at Ashmore and Cartier to help understand the natural processes that occur in the reserves and how well the reserves tolerate and recover from impacts. The results of this monitoring help to inform decisions on how best to manage human activities in the reserves. The monitoring program includes observations of -
- wildlife, including sightings of sea turtles, sea snakes, dugongs and whales
- the conditions of the reserves, including the distribution of introduced species, evidence of pollution and evidence of coral bleaching
- the nature and location of marine debris collected.
Independent research
Authorisation is required to undertake research at Ashmore and Cartier. This may either be in the form of an approval or a permit, depending on the research methods and whether they involve the taking of native species. Additional authorisations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 may also be required for certain types of research.
If you are planning to conduct scientific research in the reserves please contact the Ashmore Reserve Manager on (02) 6274 1111 or email mpa@environment.gov.au for application details.
Applications to conduct research will be considered on a case by case basis, and assessment will take into account the likely impact of the proposed activity on the reserves' conservation values, the relevant Australian IUCN reserve management principles and the strategic objectives for management of the reserves.
Research commissioned by DEWHA
Research that is commissioned by DEWHA is prioritised and planned in accordance with the management objectives for the reserves. This research is conducted by service providers under contract with DEWHA. Contracting for each project is undertaken in accordance with the Australian Government procurement guidelines, so as to ensure that a competitive and transparent process is followed.
Recent research at Ashmore and Cartier
Recent research at Ashmore and Cartier includes studies on
Coral garden, Ashmore Reef
National Nature Reserve
- water temperature - annual and longer term variations in water temperature have been assessesd, identifying possible coral bleaching events at Ashmore in 2002/3 and 2005/6
- coral cover - recent research has suggested that there may be some recovery in coral populations that had previously shown signs of mass mortality. (This mortality was thought to be due to coral bleaching events.)
- sea snakes - since 2000 a decline in the numbers and number of species of sea snakes at Ashmore, but not at Cartier, has been identified. Recent research suggests that the decline at Ashmore may be related to changes in reef structure and habitat changes.
Also in this section
Existing Commonwealth reserves under the EPBC Act
Marine protected areas
Temperate East Marine Region
- Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve
- Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters)
- Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
- Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Coral Sea
- Coral Sea Conservation Zone
- Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve
- Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve
North-west Marine Region
- Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve
and
Cartier Island Marine Reserve - Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve
- Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)