Summary
The Indian Ocean Territories are home to some of the most unique and poorly understood marine species in Australia. Many remain undescribed, and without baseline data their protection is almost impossible. The creation of the IOT Marine Parks was an important first step, but monitoring and community engagement are urgently needed to safeguard these ecosystems.
This project will establish a community-led program on Christmas Island to collect ecological data, build local knowledge, and create economic opportunities through ecotourism. By combining marine education, citizen science, and sustainable tourism, it will protect biodiversity while supporting local livelihoods.
Project Strategy
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Marine education workshops to upskill the community and establish a local action group.
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Development of field guides, snorkel/dive slates, and a community equipment loan library to improve participation and awareness.
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Establishment of citizen science surveys targeting rockpools, shorelines, and nearshore reefs, with data uploaded to biodiversity databases.
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Identification of threatened and keystone marine species for long-term monitoring.
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Development of a self-sustaining ecotourism package combining education, citizen science, and local business participation.
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Employment of an on-island marine ecologist to coordinate the program and support local leadership.
Key Achievements (expected)
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Five community training and education events delivered, engaging diverse local participants.
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Community-led action group established to guide long-term activities.
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Production of Christmas Island marine field guides and snorkel/dive slates.
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Monitoring sites established and baseline data collected for poorly known species such as marine invertebrates, cephalopods, and corals.
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First ecotourism package delivered in partnership with the Christmas Island Visitor Centre, supporting local businesses.
Partners
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Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC) – Project leadership and delivery
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WA Museum – Taxonomic expertise, survey support, and educational materials
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Christmas Island Visitor Centre and tourism operators – Ecotourism collaboration and community outreach
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Traditional Owners, local residents, and volunteers – Citizen science participation and cultural input
Conservation Status
The project targets poorly known and threatened marine species in the IOT Marine Parks, with a focus on endemic and keystone taxa such as reef fish, crustaceans, corals, and seabirds dependent on coastal ecosystems
Costs
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Estimated Cost: $350,000 (multi-year delivery)
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Funding Received: $0
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Duration: 2.5 years
