Threatened species known to occur in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (June 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Threatened species known to occur in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area^[1] and listed under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention), CITES (CITES) Agreement, China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List (IUCN Red List) status for the species.

Key[]

Reptiles[]

Threatened reptile species

Latin name	Common names	Image	Bonn Convention classification	CITES species classification	IUCN status
Natator depressus	Flatback sea turtle			Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Chelonia mydas	Green sea turtle		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Endangered (EN) Considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Eretmochelys imbricata	Hawksbill sea turtle		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Critically Endangered (CR) Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Dermochelys coriacea	Leatherback sea turtle lute turtle		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Caretta caretta	Loggerhead sea turtle		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Endangered (EN) Considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Lepidochelys olivacea	Olive ridley sea turtle		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Crocodylus porosus	Saltwater crocodile Saltie Estuarine Indo-Pacific crocodile		Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Crocodylus johnsoni or Crocodylus johnstoni	Freshwater crocodile Australian freshwater crocodile Johnston's crocodile Freshie			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Seabirds[]

Threatened seabird species

Latin name	Common names	Image	Bonn Convention classification	CITES species classification	IUCN status
Thalassarche chrysostoma	Grey-headed albatross Grey-headed Mollymawk			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Endangered (EN) Considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Sternula albifrons or Sterna albifrons	Little tern			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Phoebetria fusca	Sooty albatross Dark-mantled sooty albatross Dark-mantled albatross			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Endangered (EN) Considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Macronectes giganteus	Southern giant petrel Antarctic giant petrel giant fulmar Stinker Stinkpot			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Diomedea exulans	Wandering albatross snowy albatross white-winged albatross			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Pterodroma arminjoniana	Trindade petrel				Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Phaethon rubricauda	Red-tailed tropicbird				Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Marine mammals[]

Threatened marine mammal species

Latin name	Common names	Image	Bonn Convention classification	CITES species classification	IUCN status
Arctocephalus tropicalis	Subantarctic fur seal			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Dugong dugon	Dugong		Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Balaenoptera musculus	Blue whale		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Endangered (EN) Considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Tursiops truncatus	Common bottlenose dolphin			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Balaenoptera edeni	Bryde's whale		Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Ziphius cavirostris	Cuvier's beaked whale			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Kogia sima formerly Kogia simus	Dwarf sperm whale			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Pseudorca crassidens	False killer whale			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Balaenoptera physalus	Fin whale		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Endangered (EN) Considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Lagenodelphis hosei	Fraser's dolphin Sarawak dolphin			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Megaptera novaeangliae	Humpback whale		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Sousa chinensis	Chinese white dolphin Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin 中華白海豚 Zhōnghuá bái hǎitún		Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Near Threatened (NT or LR/nt), Is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
Orcaella brevirostris	Irrawaddy dolphin		Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Orcinus orca	Killer whale			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Globicephala melas	Long-finned pilot whale			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Indopacetus pacificus	Tropical bottlenose whale Indo-Pacific beaked whale Longman's beaked whale			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Peponocephala electra	Melon-headed whale Many-toothed blackfish Electra dolphin			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Balaenoptera acutorostrata	Common minke whale			Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Stenella attenuata	Pantropical spotted dolphin			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Feresa attenuata	Pygmy killer whale			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Kogia breviceps	Pygmy sperm whale			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Grampus griseus	Risso's dolphin			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Balaenoptera borealis	Sei whale		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Endangered (EN) Considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Delphinus delphis	Short-beaked common dolphin			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Globicephala macrorhynchus	Short-finned pilot whale			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Physeter macrocephalus	Sperm whale		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix I: species that are the most endangered	Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Stenella longirostris	Spinner dolphin			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Data Deficient (DD) Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Stenella coeruleoalba	Striped dolphin			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Mesoplodon densirostris	Blainville's beaked whale
Steno bredanensis	Rough-toothed dolphin
Mesoplodon layardii	Strap-toothed whale

Sharks, skates and rays[]

Threatened shark, skate and ray species

Latin name	Common names	Image	Bonn Convention classification	CITES species classification	IUCN status
Rhincodon typus	Whale shark		Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements	Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Carcharodon carcharias	Great white shark Great white White pointer		Appendix I: Endangered migratory species Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements		Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Orectolobus ornatus	Ornate wobbegong
Dalatias licha	Kitefin shark
Hypogaleus hyugaensis	Blacktip tope
Taeniura lymma	Bluespotted ribbontail ray
Carcharhinus leucas	Bull shark
Carcharhinus limbatus	Blacktip shark
Pseudocarcharias kamoharai	Crocodile shark
Dasyatis fluviorum	Estuary stingray

Fish[]

Threatened fish species

Latin name	Common names	Image	Bonn Convention classification	CITES species classification	IUCN status
Cheilinus undulatus	Humphead wrasse			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Endangered (EN) Considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Seahorses[]

Marine invertebrates[]

Threatened marine invertebrate species

Latin name	Common names	Image	Bonn Convention classification	CITES species classification	IUCN status
Hippopus hippopus	Bear paw clam			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd) the focus of a continuing taxon-specific or habitat-specific conservation program targeted towards the taxon in question, the cessation of which would result in the taxon qualifying for one of the threatened categories below within a period of five years.
Tridacna crocea	Boring clam Crocus clam Saffron-coloured clam			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Least Concern (LC or LR/lc) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
Tridacna derasa	Southern giant clam			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Tridacna gigas	Giant clam			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Vulnerable(VU) Considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
Tridacna maxima	Maxima clam Small giant clam			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd) the focus of a continuing taxon-specific or habitat-specific conservation program targeted towards the taxon in question, the cessation of which would result in the taxon qualifying for one of the threatened categories below within a period of five years.
Tridacna squamosa	Fluted giant clam Small giant clam			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled	Conservation Dependent (LR/cd) the focus of a continuing taxon-specific or habitat-specific conservation program targeted towards the taxon in question, the cessation of which would result in the taxon qualifying for one of the threatened categories below within a period of five years.
Scleractinia	Stony corals			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled

Island fauna[]

Threatened island fauna species under the Bonn Convention and CITES classifications

Latin name	Common names	Image	Bonn Convention classification	CITES species classification	IUCN status
Ardeotis australis	Australian bustard			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Falco longipennis	Australian hobby			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Falco cenchroides	Nankeen kestrel			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Tyto novaehollandiae	Australian masked owl			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Tyto alba	Barn owl			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Elanus axillaris	Black-shouldered kite			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Haliastur indus	Brahminy kite			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Grus rubicunda	Brolga			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Ardeotis australis	Brown falcon			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Accipiter fasciatus	Brown goshawk			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Danaus plexippus	Monarch butterfly			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Falco hypoleucos	Grey falcon			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Accipiter novaehollandiae	Grey goshawk			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Aquila gurneyi	Gurney's eagle			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Ptiloris magnificus	Magnificent riflebird			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Pandion haliaetus	Osprey			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Aviceda subcristata	Pacific baza			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Falco peregrinus	Peregrine falcon			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Trichoglossus haematodus	Rainbow lorikeet			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Tyto capensis	African grass owl			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Calyptorhynchus banksii	Red-tailed black cockatoo			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Ninox rufa	Rufous owl			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Ninox novaeseelandiae	Southern boobook			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Cacatua galerita	Sulphur-crested cockatoo			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Circus approximans	Swamp harrier			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Manucodia keraudrenii	Trumpet manucode			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Ptiloris victoriae	Victoria's riflebird			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Aquila audax	Wedge-tailed eagle			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Haliastur sphenurus	Whistling kite			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled
Butastur teesa	White-eyed buzzard			Appendix II: may become endangered unless trade is closely controlled

Threatened island fauna species under the JAMBA and CAMBA classifications

Latin name	Common names	Image	JAMBA classification	CAMBA classification	IUCN status
Sterna hirundo	Common tern
Limosa lapponica	Bar-tailed godwit
Chlidonias niger	Black tern
Sterna sumatrana	Black-naped tern
Limosa limosa	Black-tailed godwit
Onychoprion anaethetus formerly Sterna anaethetus	Bridled tern
Sula leucogaster	Brown booby
Charadrius asiaticus	Caspian plover
Hydroprogne caspia, formerly Sterna caspia	Caspian tern
Ardea ibis	Cattle egret
Anous stolidus	Brown noddy Common noddy
Actitis hypoleucos	Common sandpiper
Thalasseus bergii	Greater crested tern Crested tern Swift tern
Calidris ferruginea	Curlew sandpiper
Numenius madagascariensis	Far Eastern curlew
Egretta sacra	Pacific reef heron Eastern reef heron Eastern reef egret
Puffinus carneipes	Flesh-footed shearwater
Plegadis falcinellus	Glossy ibis
Ardea alba	Great egret Common egret Large egret Great white heron
Calidris tenuirostris	Great knot
Fregata minor	Great frigatebird
Charadrius leschenaultii	Greater sand plover
Tringa nebularia	Common greenshank
Pluvialis squatarola	Grey plover Black-bellied plover
Heteroscelus brevipes formerly Heteroscelus brevipes	Grey-tailed tattler Polynesian tattler
Sterna bengalensis	Lesser crested tern
Pluvialis fulva	Pacific golden plover
Charadrius mongolus	Lesser sand plover
Numenius minutus	Little curlew
Sterna albifrons	Little tern
Tringa stagnatilis	Marsh sandpiper
Sula dactylatra	Masked booby
Cuculus saturatus	Himalayan cuckoo
Gallinago stenura	Pin-tailed snipe
Calidris canutus	Red knot
Sula sula	Red-footed booby
Calidris ruficollis	Red-necked stint
Arenaria interpres	Ruddy turnstone
Calidris alba	Sanderling
Calidris acuminata	Sharp-tailed sandpiper
Gallinago megala	Swinhoe's snipe
Xenus cinereus	Terek sandpiper
Heteroscelus brevipes	Grey-tailed tattler
Puffinus pacificus	Wedge-tailed shearwater
Numenius phaeopus	Whimbrel
Ardea alba	Great egret Common egret Large egret Great white heron
Haliaeetus leucogaster	White-bellied sea eagle
Phaethon lepturus	White-tailed tropicbird
Hirundapus caudacutus	White-throated needletail
Chlidonias leucopterus	White-winged tern
Oceanites oceanicus	Wilson's storm petrel
Tringa glareola	Wood sandpiper

See also[]

• Environmental threats to the Great Barrier Reef

References[]