The Great Barrier Reef supports an incredible variety of life — from microscopic plankton to giant whales. With thousands of marine and coastal species, the Reef is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.

Many of these species are endemic, meaning they’re found nowhere else in the world. Others depend on the Reef at critical stages of their life cycle for feeding, breeding, or raising their young.

Australia’s strong marine protections and fishing regulations help make the Reef a vital refuge for many threatened or endangered species:

• All six marine turtle species found in Australian waters
• The world’s largest population of dugongs
• Endangered sawfish and hammerhead sharks
• Migratory whales and dolphins
• Dozens of seabird species, including major nesting colonies
• Extensive mangrove forests and seagrass meadows that support countless juvenile fish and invertebrates
• Globally important plant communities, including Pisonia grandis forests on coral cays

Protecting this diversity is not just important for Australia — it’s vital for the world.