Size:
N/A
Habitat type:
Tropical Coral
Geographic Location:
Southeast Asia, the Torres Strait, and the Northern Great Barrier Reef
Conservation Status:
Relatively Stable/Intact
About the Area
Bound to the north and south by deep ocean trenches, the Bismarck-Solomon Seas contain numerous small islands. In close proximity to both the Great Barrier Reef and the highly diverse East Indian region, these waters potentially contain unique and complex species assemblages, including a number of endemic species.
Local SpeciesIn addition to Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) rookeries, also found here are Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), Olive ridley seaturtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), Blainville's beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris), Dugongs (Dugong dugon), Giant clams (Tridacnidae sp.), Giant tritons (Charonia tritonis), Wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus), Black-naped terns (Sterna sumatrana), Lesser frigatebirds (Fregata ariel), and the Finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides).
Fish families include butterfly fishes (Chaetodontidae), seabasses (Serranidae), pipefish (Sygnatidae), and sea horses (Hippocampus spp).
Threats
Widespread logging activities and associated sedimentation, unregulated cutting of mangroves and clearing for coconut plantations, light industry residues and sewage discharge, illegal dynamite fishing, hunting of crocodiles and turtles, increase in tourism activities and its associated impacts - all constitute major threats to the integrity of this ecoregion.
Resources