Explore Australia's marine world: a magical journey from the Coral Sea to the Southern Ocean

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralia's surrounding marine environmentNow I will summarize the relevant issues and hope it will be helpful to those who want to know more.

As the only country in the world that occupies an entire continent, Australia's geographical feature of being surrounded by the sea has shaped a unique natural ecology and cultural landscape. From the Coral Sea in the east to the Indian Ocean in the southwest, from the cold waters of the Southern Ocean to the vast blue waves of the Tasman Sea, these oceans are not only geographical boundaries, but also an important part of Australia's biodiversity, economic development and cultural heritage.

1. Australia’s four major maritime territories

1. Coral Sea
Located in northeastern Australia, it covers an area of 4.79 million square kilometers and is famous for the world's largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef. There are more than 400 species of corals, 1,500 species of fish and endangered green turtles living here, attracting more than 2 million tourists every year. It is worth noting that there is a famous "Coral Sea Fault" in the area where the Coral Sea connects with the Pacific Ocean, with the deepest point reaching 9,174 meters.

2. Tasman Sea
The deep sea separating the Australian continent from New Zealand has an average depth of more than 5,700 meters. Named after the 17th-century Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, its current system directly affects the climate patterns of eastern coastal cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.

3. Indian Ocean
Western Australia's 33,000-kilometer coastline faces the Indian Ocean, where the "Indian Current" brings a unique marine ecosystem. The new species of luminous jellyfish discovered by the scientific research team in the Perth Trench in 2020 confirms that the deep sea area of 95% in this sea area has not yet been explored.

4. Southern Ocean
The fifth largest ocean officially recognized by the International Hydrographic Organization in 2000, the cold current system surrounding Antarctica directly affects the fishery resources of Tasmania. According to data from the Australian Antarctic Division, the sea area stores 40% of the world's man-made carbon dioxide absorption.

2. Five core issues related to Australia’s oceans

Question 1: How great is the ecological value of the Great Barrier Reef?

As a world natural heritage, the Great Barrier Reef has an annual economic value of 6.4 billion Australian dollars and supports 64,000 jobs. But more importantly, it serves as an ecological barrier - coral reefs can weaken the impact of 97% waves and protect the coastline from erosion. The "Coral Breeding Program" implemented in recent years has successfully cultivated high-temperature resistant coral varieties.

Question 2: How do the Indian and Pacific Oceans affect Australia’s climate?

The Indonesian Throughflow, formed by the confluence of the two oceans, carries the equivalent of 100 Amazon Rivers of water each year. This difference in ocean currents results in Western Australia being prone to droughts due to the Indian Ocean Dipole, while the east coast is prone to extreme weather due to the Pacific ENSO phenomenon. Understanding these patterns is crucial for agricultural planning and disaster prevention.

Question 3: Why is the Southern Ocean called the “lungs of the earth”?

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current transports 140 million cubic kilometers of seawater each year, and the "biological pump" mechanism it forms absorbs 25% of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Australian scientists discovered through the Aurora Australis research vessel that the krill population here has reached 500 million tons, constituting the world's largest protein reserve.

Question 4: How does the marine economy support Australia’s development?

According to the 2023 Marine Industry Report:
- Offshore oil and gas fields contribute 2.3% of the national GDP
- Aquaculture industry grows at an average annual rate of 8%
- Marine tourism creates 120,000 direct jobs
Western Australia's Gorgon liquefied natural gas project set a record of over 100 million yuan in exports in a single day.

Question 5: How can individuals participate in marine conservation?

The Australian government has launched the Marine Citizen Science Program to encourage the public to:
1. Upload coral health data via the ReefSearch APP
2. Participate in the 500-meter coastline garbage cleanup challenge
3. Choose MSC certified seafood
4. Support fishing companies that adopt dynamic fishing techniques

3. The deep connection between the ocean and Australian life

For international students, marine science is a strong subject in Australia's eight prestigious universities, and the marine biologists jointly trained by the University of Western Australia and the AIMS Institute are internationally recognized. New immigrants can obtain entrepreneurial support in the fields of fishery processing, marine engineering, etc. through the "blue economy" support plans of various states.

It is important to note that the 2025 Marine Protected Area Network Plan will add 12 new marine parks, covering an area equivalent to the size of Germany, which means that commercial fishing and mineral development in the relevant areas will be subject to stricter restrictions.

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandAustralian Marine EcosystemsIf you need guidance on applying for a fishing license in specific waters of each state, or recommendations for schools that offer marine science programs, please feel free to contact us for customized information.