Recent datasets
During August 2005, sediment was collected from four reefs in the Whitsunday Islands and two adjacent midshelf reefs, situated along a previously studied water quality gradient. The reefs at Repulse and Lindeman Islands are influenced by discharge generated by the Proserpine and O'Connell Rivers. In the outer Whitsunday Islands, Hook and Edward Islands reefs, are subject to terrestrial influence, which is largely derived from the islands themselves. The midshelf reefs, Barb Reef and Reef 19-138 are essentially unaffected by terrestrial discharge.
A study of recruitment of marine invertebrates around Masig Island and Marsden Island, in central Torres Strait commenced in November 2006 and ended in November 2008.Terracotta settlement plates (11 cm x 11 cm) with well pitted surfaces were deployed at three locations on the northern side of each island, with locations two hundred metres apart. Each location was further divided into three sites, each twenty metres apart. At each site, five plates were deployed, roughly one metre apart, at both six metres and twelve metres depth.
A one-off study of the effects of handling on Coscinoderma mathewsi around Masig (Yorke) and Kodall (off Masig) Islands. Experimental work was carried out in 2009. \n \nMeasurements of growth (cm) and survival were made to determine how handling might affect sponge growth and survival under aquaculture conditions.\n To determine how handling under aquaculture condiditons might affect sponge growth and survival in Coscinoderma mathewsi.\n
This experimental study of larval settlement behaviour of Coscinoderma mathewsi, undertaken in December 2009, explored some specific aspects of recruitment behaviour raised from the Torres Strait recuritment study. \n \nResearch was conducted in tanks at Orpheus Island under controlled conditions to complement field recruitment studies in the Torres Strait (see separate metadata record). Coscinoderma larvae were obtained from Orpheus Island. \n \nThis study determined specific pre-settlement larval behaviours including pre-competency periods and chemical and physical settlement cues.
Traditional use activities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are managed under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003 recognises that under section 211 of the Native Title Act 1993, native title holders may undertake traditional use of marine resources in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Geoscience Australia has the primary role in the delineation of Australia's maritime boundaries. An output of this activity is the development of the Australian Maritime Boundaries (AMB) data. AMB is a GIS data product, replacing AMBIS 2001 Version 1.1, providing access to the data for Australia's Territorial Sea Baseline (TSB) and maritime zones.