Lorde Island Marine Environment

The marine environment at Lorde Howe Island was a significant factor for World Heritage Listing in 1982. The island has a combination of temperate and tropical marine species, including coral reef in the near intact condition of the Island waters. During winter, ocean currents at 17 degrees’ surround Lord Howe Island and larvae of many organisms from cool southern parts of Australia are transported to the Island. During summer, the warm East Australian Current sweeps down from the Great Barrier Reef, bringing larvae of tropical marine creatures to the Island. Some of these larvae settle down and contribute to the rich marine community of the Island waters.

Corals are the most visible tropical animals in the Island waters. Most corals hide