Parks Australia leads successful voyage to Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Marine Park

In November 2025, Parks Australia completed a successful voyage to Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island marine parks. 

Joining the Parks team on board were researchers from CSIRO and staff from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). 

The mission undertook targeted invasive species control, aerial mapping, rodent monitoring, installation of a weather station and eDNA sampling and avian influenza (bird flu) sampling. 

The voyage builds on previous work from Parks Australia and CSIRO’s Ocean Discovery and Restoration project focused on Ashmore’s terrestrial ecosystems. Full mapping of all islands using colour imagery, multispectral imagery, and LiDAR technology was completed during the voyage. 

A highlight of the trip was the sighting of a dugong at Ashmore Reef, a positive indicator for marine biodiversity. 

The team collected over 250 bird samples for bird flu testing, with encouraging results, none tested positive for high pathogenicity avian influenza strain H5N1, commonly known as H5 bird flu. 

On land, all buffel grass, a major invasive species was successfully removed, continued rodent monitoring to protect native habitats and a weather station was installed that is providing live weather updates. 

Parks Australia will return in 2026 to build on this important work and ensure the ongoing health of these ecosystems.