Norfolk Marine Park
Norfolk Marine Park no-take areas
- Emily and Slaughter Bay - complete no-take area
- Cemetery Bay - no-take of any echinoderm species.
Due to the ongoing issue of storm and groundwater pollution entering the lagoon at Emily and Slaughter Bay, and the important role of herbivorous fish and echinoderms in controlling algal growth, a complete no-take area has been established in this area, in support of local custom.
In recognition of the role that Cemetery Bay plays as a source of echinoderms to the lagoon, Cemetery Bay will be a no-take area for these species.
From 15 February 2023, until further notice, Emily and Slaughter Bays will be a complete no-take area. Cemetery Bay will be a no-take area for echinoderms (sea cucumbers, sea urchins, starfish, brittle stars, sand dollars and crinoids). Fishing for kingfish and other finfish species is still allowed at Cemetery Bay.
The determination can be found on the Federal Register of Legislation.
No-take areas
About
Rich in history, Norfolk Marine Park, surrounding Norfolk Island, supports diverse temperate and tropical marine life.
Running through the marine park is the Norfolk Ridge, a long, narrow, steep-sided undersea ridge with seamounts and pinnacles.
It acts as a line of oceanic stepping stones, connecting deep water marine species from New Zealand to New Caledonia.
Norfolk Island and the marine park offer unique nature-watching experiences for visitors, and are well worth the journey.
The marine park contains the wreck of the HMS Sirius, one of the First Fleet flagships. It foundered in 1790.
The marine park begins 1400 kilometres offshore, east of Evans Head in New South Wales. It covers 188,444 square kilometres, with depths from the high tide mark to 5000 metres.
It has National Park and Multiple Use zones, as well as a Special Purpose Zone immediately around the island itself. This Special Purpose Zone allows both conservation and sustainable use in an area highly valued by the Norfolk community.
Explore
Explore a coral reef lagoon in a glass-bottom boat. There are astonishingly colourful fishes, corals and other marine life to enjoy.
Or, grab your binoculars and look out for foraging seabirds, including white terns and red-tailed tropicbirds, and humpback whales when on their migration.
Find out more about visiting Norfolk Island National Park, managed by Parks Australia, or visit Norfolk Island tourism.
Discover
The marine park contains over 20 known shipwrecks listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act.
The most famous is HMS Sirius, a flagship of the First Fleet.
HMS Sirius was wrecked on the coral reef off Slaughter Bay, Norfolk Island in 1790.
Regional protection
Both New Caledonia and New Zealand have marine protected areas that adjoin Norfolk Marine Park - this extends the protection for the seamounts along the Norfolk Ridge.
Publications
- Norfolk Island Coastal Survey by Photogrammetry - Science Atlas
- Nearshore Marine Habitat Mapping of the Norfolk Marine Park - Science Atlas
- Norfolk Marine Park Invasive Marine Species survey - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
- Norfolk Island Lagoonal Reef Ecosystem Health 2021
- Norfolk Island Lagoonal Reef Ecosystem Health 2022
- Norfolk Island Lagoonal Reef Ecosystem Health 2023
Select the park area on the map below to see what you can do in the Norfolk Marine Park.
Network
Park area
Depth range
Average depth
Detailed map
Activities in marine parks
Allowed activities
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