Coral Sea Islands Environment and Heritage
Currently Commonwealth interest in the Coral Sea Islands Territory is mainly through Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries Forestry - Australia.
In 1982 Lihou Reef and Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserves were established under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975.
Requests for permission to undertake commercial fishing in the area are referred to Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
Officers of Environment Australia make regular visits to the Coral Sea Islands. The Royal Australian Navy and Coastwatch (Australian Customs) conduct sea and aerial surveillance of the area.
Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs have been declared a Marine National Nature Reserve administered by Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.