Lord Howe Island Marine Park

Lord Howe Island Marine Park Australia
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Lord Howe Island Marine Park
Coordinates	31°33′S 159°04′E / 31.550°S 159.067°E / -31.550; 159.067Coordinates: 31°33′S 159°04′E / 31.550°S 159.067°E / -31.550; 159.067
Established	1999 (1999)
Area	465.45 km2 (179.7 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Marine Parks Authority New South Wales
Website	Lord Howe Island Marine Park

Lord Howe Island Marine Park is the site of Australia's and the world’s most southern coral reef ecosystem. The island is 10 km in length, 2 km wide and consists of a large lagoonal reef system along its leeward side, with 28 small islets along its coast. In 1999, the waters within three nautical miles of Lord Howe Island (465.45 km²) were declared a marine park under the NSW Marine Park Act 1997 to protect its unique marine biodiversity, with the park currently being managed by the New South Wales Marine Parks Authority. Both Lord Howe Island and Balls Pyramid are incorporated within the three nautical miles protected by the state marine park. The waters from 3 - 12 nautical miles were declared a federal marine park on 21 June 2000, see Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth waters). Both marine parks complement the island's status as a World Heritage Site.

Lord Howe Island is located approximately 610 km off the eastern coast of Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia (31°33’S, 159°04’E). Lord Howe Island is remote, has a biologically diverse marine system with a high degree of endemism. Lord Howe Island Marine Park was declared after it was recognised as an area with outstanding natural values, an extraordinary array of marine habitats and biodiversity, rich maritime cultural heritage and social and economic importance to the island community, giving it both national and international importance. In addition, due to its isolated geographic location, small size and limited access, there are a number of threats to biodiversity that require management. The marine park status helps protect marine biodiversity from fishing pressure and population pressure.

Lord Howe Island has a temperate climate, with mean water temperatures of 25 °C in summer and 18 °C in winter. Annual rainfall is 1650mm in the lowland parts of the island.

Lord Howe Island’s climate is moderated by oceanic air currents and mild sea temperatures. The island can be windy as the salt laden wind comes predominantly from the southeast and northeast and the mean wind speed is highest in late winter and spring.