Monk J, Lucieer V, Spilias S, Jordan A (2026). Coral Sea Marine Park Synthesis Report. Report to the National Environmental Science Program. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania/Deakin University.
Overview
The Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP) spans approximately 989,836 km² of Commonwealth waters and represents Australia’s largest marine park. This report brings together current knowledge of CSMP natural values, ecosystems, oceanography, uses and pressures. It integrates evidence from seabed mapping programs, ecological surveys, long-term monitoring datasets, oceanographic studies and species observations to provide a consolidated scientific basis to support management of the CSMP and identify key knowledge gaps that constrain understanding of ecosystem condition and change.
This synthesis highlights both the substantial progress made in understanding the CSMP and the persistent gaps that remain, particularly in deep-sea ecosystems and large-scale ecological processes. Continued investment in integrated seabed mapping, long-term monitoring, oceanographic modelling and targeted biological surveys will be essential to improve understanding of ecosystem condition, detect change and support adaptive, evidence-based management of this globally significant marine park.
