Indispensable Reefs

Coordinates: 12°40′S 160°25′E / 12.667°S 160.417°E / -12.667; 160.417

Map of Rennell Islands

NASA picture of the three atolls forming the Indispensable Reef
North Reef is right

The Indispensable Reefs are a chain of three large coral atolls in the Coral Sea. They are located about 50 km south of Rennell Island, separated from it by Rennel Trough. The chain stretches over a length of 114 km and its average width is 18 km.

Administratively the Indispensable Reef belongs to the Rennell and Bellona Province of the Solomon Islands.

The three atolls are steep-to and each encloses a large deep lagoon. They are separated by deep passages two to three km wide. of the Indispensable Reef are aligned in a NW-SE direction:^[1]

• North Reef is 18 km long, and up to 7 km wide. The rim of the atoll has two narrow openings in the north and northwest. The reef has a total area of 100 km², including lagoon and reef flat. There are no islets.

• Middle Reef is 51 km long. Little Nottingham Islet is a small islet located near the center of the reef. Besides its main lagoon, Middle Reef has a separate smaller northern lagoon. The total area is about 300 km².

• South Reef is 21 km long and up to 8 km wide. It encloses a lagoon 18 to 35 meters deep. The total area exceeds 100 km².

History

The ship Neptune struck Indispensable Reef on August 3, 1868 and was lost. The crew was rescued by the SS Boomerang.

During the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7, 1942, a two Japanese carrier attack planes B5N2 (EI-306 and probably EI-302) flying reconnaissance mission from the carrier Shokaku ditched on Indispensable Reef due to lack of fuel.^[2]

In the 1980s the Solomon Islands Government apprehended a vessel from Taiwan that had been poaching the giant clam stocks of Indispensable Reef. Corals and endangered fish species are also being plundered for the aquarium trade.

References

External links

• http://solomonislands.com.sb/indispensablereefs.html[]
• Corals: "Solomon Islands" (PDF). World Atlas of Coral Reefs. 19 May 2003. pp. 330–333. Retrieved 6 June 2014. 
• Sunken ships:
• Ecological concern:

Islands of Solomon Islands by province Central Aeaun Gavutu Mbanika Nggela Islands Pavuvu Russell Islands Savo Tanambogo Tulagi Choiseul Choiseul Cyprian Bridge Island Nuatambu Rob Roy Taro Vaghena Guadalcanal Guadalcanal Korasahalu Marau Sound Nughu Tavanipupu Vulelua Isabel Arnarvon Furona Island Kerehikapa Maleivona Ramos San Jorge Santa Isabel Sikopo Makira-Ulawa Ali'ite Makira Malaulalo Malaupaina Pio Santa Ana Santa Catalina Ugi Ulawa Malaita Adagege Alite Anuta Paina Funaafou Langa Langa Lagoon Lau Lagoon Laulasi Maana'omba Malaita Maramasike Mbasakana Ndai Ontong Java Roncador Reef Sikaiana Sulufou Rennell and Bellona Bellona Indispensable Reefs Rennell Temotu Anuta Banie Duff Islands Fatutaka Fenualoa Lomlom Makalom Malo Matema Nendö Nifiloli Nukapu Nupani Patteson Shoal Pigeon Pileni Reef Islands Santa Cruz Islands Taumako Teanu Tikopia Tinakula Utupua Vanikoro Western Arundel Faisi Fauro Ghizo Ghoi Kennedy Kiambe Kingguru Kolombangara Liapari Logha Lola Lumbari Marovo Matikuri Mbava Mborokua Mbulo Mondomondo Mono Nakaza New Georgia New Georgia Islands Nggatokae Nusatupe Ranongga Rendova Shortland Shortland Islands Simbo Stirling Telina Tetepare Treasury Islands Vella Lavella Uepi Vangunu Vonavona