Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve
Coral spawn at night, Mermaid Reef
James Gilmour,
Australian Institute of Marine Science
Monitoring and research
Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve (Mermaid) is assigned the IUCN Category IA - Strict Nature Reserve, which means that it is a protected area managed mainly for scientific research or environmental monitoring. Scientific research is undertaken to increase understanding of the reserve's values and risks to these values, while minimising the impacts of the research.
ReserveWatch volunteer reef monitoring program
ReserveWatch is a volunteer monitoring program that collects information on reserve condition in Commonwealth tropical reef marine reserves from reserve visitors. A pilot ReserveWatch program was released to commercial tourism operators at Mermaid in June 2009.
To find out more about ReserveWatch or to become a ReserveWatch volunteer please contact the Mermaid Reserve Manager on 02 6274 1111 or mpa@environment.gov.au.
Scientific research
Research is undertaken at Mermaid in either of two ways. Research may be commissioned by DEWHA and undertaken by external researchers or research may be undertaken under an authorisation from the Director of National Parks, with associated conditions.
Independent research
Authorisation is required to undertake research at Mermaid. This may either be in the form of an approval or a permit, depending on the research methods and whether the research involves taking 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 at Mermaid please contact the Mermaid Reserve Manager on (02) 6274 1111 or email mpa@environment.gov.au.
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 reserve's conservation values, the relevant Australian IUCN reserve management principles and the strategic objectives for management of Mermaid.
Research commissioned by DEWHA
Research that is commissioned by DEWHA is prioritised and planned in accordance with the management objectives for the reserve. 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 Mermaid
Recent research at Mermaid includes:
- a deep water biodiversity survey
- studies on patterns of coral spawning
- a survey of shark and fin-fish abundance using baited remote underwater video systems
- assessment of annual and longer term variations in water temperature
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)