Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs
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The Elizabeth Coordinates: and Middleton Reefs are two reefs located in the Tasman Sea. The reefs are separated by a deep oceanic pass measuring 45 km and are part of the underwater plateau known as the Lord Howe Rise. They are 95 km from Lord Howe Island and 555 km from New South Wales coastline of Australia. Since 1997, the reefs have been included in the Coral Sea Islands Territory.
The two reefs are platform reefs and are the southern most platform reefs in the world. However, the high latitude still allows a wide variety of flora and fauna to grow on the island and in the water. This is due to their location which is where tropical and temperate ocean currents converge.
Middleton reef is slightly larger being 8.9 km by 6.3 km. The slightly smaller Elizabeth reef measures 8.2 km by 5.5 km. They are both similar shapes.
The reefs are usually submerged however during low tide the majority of the reef flat is exposed. In high tide, only one cay on each reef is visible however are only visible for one metre above the sea level. The cay on Elizabeth reef is called Elizabeth Island and has diameter of approximately 400 metres. The smaller cay, which is located on Middleton reef, is called The Sound and is 100 m by 70 m.
The reefs form the Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Park Reserve managed by the Government of Australia under the Natural Heritage Trust.
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[edit] Flora and Fauna
Surveys by the Australian Institute of Marine Science have highlighted healthy number of Black Cod Epinephelus daemelii which is now a threatened species[1] in NSW waters.[2] The survey in 2003 highlighted some 111 species of coral and at the same time identified 181 species of fish. The total number of recorded fish species on the reef is 311 across several surveys. High numbers of Galapagos sharks Carcharhinus galapagensis were observed at Elizabeth Reef and based on size may indicate that the reef is a nursery for this species. Sea cucumber (Black teatfish), Holothuria whitmaei[3] were also found to be in high numbers at Elizabeth reef. While the 2003 survey found only minor number of the Crown-of-thorns starfish, a survey in 2005 has indicated that the starfish is now active on the reef.[4]
[edit] Shipwrecks
Both reefs have been the site of numerous shipwrecks. According to the National Shipwrecks Database the ships stranded include:
Elizabeth Reef: Britannia, Colonist, Douglas, Elizabeth, Naiad, Packet, Ramsay, Rosetta Joseph, Tyrian
Middleton Reef: Agnes Napier, Annasona, Blue Jacket, Britannia, Defender, Maelgwyn, Mallsgate, Mary Lawson, Queen of the East, Stuart Russel
Some confusion exists for the location of Britannia as the National Shipwrecks Database has a listing for each reef.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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