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Marine Protected Areas
Middleton Reef, Mark Hallam.
The Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve was proclaimed on 23 December 1987 under the now repealed National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 (NPWC Act). On the 16 July 2000, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) replaced the NPWC Act. The provision of the EPBC Act and EPBC Regulations apply to the planning and management of the Reserve.
The second Management Plan for the Reserve is in force until March 2013 managed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The management plan ensures the protection of the reserve's unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems that are important for black cod, breeding migratory birds, green turtles and a host of unique marine species of animals and plants.