Flora and Fauna
Surveys by the Australian Institute of Marine Science have highlighted healthy number of Black Cod Epinephelus daemelii which is now a threatened species in New South Welsh waters. The survey in 2003 highlighted some 111 species of coral and at the same time identified 181 species of fish. The total number of recorded fish species on the reef is 311 across several surveys. High numbers of Galapagos sharks Carcharhinus galapagensis were observed at Elizabeth Reef and based on size may indicate that the reef is a nursery for this species. Sea cucumber (Black teatfish), Holothuria whitmaei were also found to be in high numbers at Elizabeth reef. While the 2003 survey found only minor number of the Crown-of-thorns starfish, a survey in 2005 has indicated that the starfish is now active on the reef.
Read more about this topic: Elizabeth Reef
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