Marine and coastal biodiversity

Marine biodiversity is the variety of life that exists in oceans and other saltwater environments.

The Northern Territory (NT) has one of the world's most intact marine environments.

The Territory is also home to the largest area of mangrove forest in Australia.

The NT marine habitats, such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves and sand/mudflats are important hotspots for biodiversity.

They are important breeding, nursery and feeding areas for many species.

These include:

Many of these species are common in NT waters where they have declined in other regions and are now listed as threatened species.

Marine ecosystems are connected. Species regularly move across large areas and into waters outside the NT and Australian borders.

The quality of the NT marine environment depends greatly on how marine resources are used and how nearby terrestrial areas are managed.

They can also be affected by natural disturbances and global factors.

Report a marine wildlife incident

If you come across injured or sick marine wildlife, report it as soon as possible.

Marine habitat maps show what the NT's marine environments look like and what lives in them.

To find out what these maps are for and how they're made, read about marine habitat mapping.

Aquatic pests are plants and animals that are not native to the NT and have been introduced from other parts of Australia or different countries.

These pests can be very dangerous to the NT's waterways and aquatic life.