Shark fishing and oil and gas prospecting have been a concern in the Coral Sea. Conservation groups have placed a proposal for protection of 300,000 square miles as a marine reserve. Shark populations are at good levels in the Coral Sea, with species such as tiger sharks, hammerheads, white-tipped reef sharks and blue sharks. The sea is also a refuge for manta rays and the nautilus.
The Willis Islets contains a group of three small reefs. The islets is the southernmost and largest of the island groups in the Coral Seal. The group is known for its colonies of seabirds as well as a nesting ground for turtles.
Osprey Reef is a remote ocean reef located near Cairns in Queensland. It is known for its diving due to the numerous fish and coral reef animal species. Divers can get up close and view the wildlife.
The reef is far out in the ocean and is recommended that divers stay longer than a day trip to view the variety of wildlife in the area.
Mellish Reef is located in the northwestern group of the Coral Sea Islands Territory. The reefs surround a lagoon that is completely submerged during high tide. Heralds-Beacan Islet is at the center of the lagoon and is exposed during low tide. Mellish Reef is considered a nature reserve and therefore, the law prohibits fishing or taking of any specimens.
The Elizabeth and Middelton reefs comprise the most southern coral reefs in the world as tropical and temperate ocean currents collide there. This attributes to a diverse group of marine wildlife. Most of the atolls in these reefs are submerged and only dry during low tide. In addition, there is a marine nature reserve.
