Australian Marine Parks

Sydney Institute of Marine Science in collaboration with the University of New South Wales, James Cook University, and the University of Newcastle.

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Norfolk Island Lagoonal Reef Ecosystem Health Assessment 2020-2021

About the report 

In early 2020, Parks Australia commissioned the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) to conduct a rapid reef health monitoring survey of Emily and Slaughter Bays in Norfolk Marine Park. This was in recognition of water quality concerns and prior to a predicted marine heatwave. The initial survey provided a baseline of coral health.

Additional monitoring of the reef took place over a period of 12 months, from March 2020 to April 2021. Five surveys monitored how the corals have recovered from the bleaching event, and how they were impacted by significant pollution in 2020. The findings on the health of the reef in Emily and Slaughter Bays, and recommendations for future management actions, are detailed in the report.