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The protection of the iconic red crabs during their annual breeding migration is one of the 17 projects to share in $3 million invested by Australian Government to support the Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands marine parks.

The marine parks around Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands protect 744,070 square kilometres of unique and internationally significant marine habitats and species.

Other newly funded grants projects include:

• Monitoring and removing marine debris to help conserve the values of the marine parks
• Restoring seagrass habitats to provide an ecosystem nursery for fish and other species
• Surveying resident foraging sea turtles, their habitats, diet and movements, with a focus on the endangered green turtle
• Researching and monitoring coral reef health and diversity, including comparing them with the diversity of reef species from other locations.

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek notes “Coral reefs, seagrass, seamounts, deep sea plains and ridges, oceanic waters and species found nowhere else on earth make up the Indian Ocean Territory marine parks, which combined are twice the size of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

“The projects will help us do important work like protecting endangered green turtles, supporting the incredible red crab migration on Christmas Island and restoring vital sea grass ecosystems.

“We look forward to continuing to work with local communities to help manage the Indian Ocean Territories marine parks.”

The newly funded projects commence in 2023 and finish by mid-2025.

A full list of successful projects is available at: Indian Ocean Territories Marine Parks | Australian Marine Parks

Image. Christmas Island Red Crabs Credit: Christmas Island Tourism

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22nd March 2016 - Parks Australia looks to develop ecotourism concepts on Christmas Island

22nd December 2014 - Casa Leisure to manage the Christmas Island Recreation Centre

20th March 2022 - Australia’s Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands declared one of the world’s largest marine sanctuaries

26th August 2022 - AMCS fears for wildlife after Federal Government agrees to oil and gas exploration in marine parks

14th March 2022 - Rangers and volunteers mobilise to clean up national and marine parks following recent floods

27th November 2020 - Governments collaborate on monitoring Australian Marine Parks

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25th February 2019 - Western Australian Government reveals plans to create new national and marine parks

16th January 2014 - NSW Premier urged to exclude fishing in marine parks

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