The New Caledonia Barrier Reef is located in New Caledonia in the South Pacific, and is the second-longest coral reef in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The reef encloses a lagoon of 24,000 square km, which has an average depth of 25 m. The reefs lie up to 30 km from the shore, but extend almost 200 km to the Entrecasteaux reefs to the northwest. The reef has great species diversity with a high level of endemism, and is home to endangered dugongs, and is an important nesting site for Green Sea Turtle. The New Caledonia Barrier Reef is located in New Caledonia in the South Pacific, and is the second-longest coral reef in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The New Caledonia Barrier reef surrounds Grand Terre, New Caledonia's largest island, as well as the Ile des Pins and several smaller islands, reaching a length of 1,500 kilometers (930 mi). The reef encloses a lagoon of 24,000 square kilometers (9,300 sq mi), which has an average depth of 25 meters (82 ft). The reefs lie up to 30 kilometers (19 mi) from the shore, but extend almost 200 kilometers (124 mi) to the Entrecasteaux reefs in the northwest. This northwestern extension encloses the Belep Islands and other sand cays. Several natural passages open out to the ocean. The Boulari passage, which leads to Noumea, the capital and chief port of New Caledonia, is marked by the Amedee lighthouse. The reef has great species diversity with a high level of endemism, and is home to endangered dugongs (Dugong dugon), and is an important nesting site for Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Most of the reefs are generally thought to be in good health. Some of the eastern reefs have been damaged by effluent from nickel mining on Grand Terre. Sedimentation from mining, agriculture, and grazing has affected reefs near river mouths, which has been worsened by the destruction of mangrove forests, which help to retain sediment. Some reefs have been buried under several meters of silt. In the lagoons of new caledonia there are many water species ranging from plankton to larger fish or even sharks. In January 2002, the French government proposed listing New Caledonia's reefs as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO listed New Caledonia Barrier Reef on the World Heritage List under the name The Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems on 7 July 2008.
The great majority of coral reefs here are reported to be in good health, with the exception of eastern reefs that are harmed by runoff from mines. Nickel mining and brush fires intensify erosion during cyclone flood surges, and coastal development poses an additional threat. A rapid increase in the number of sailing vessels has increased anchor damage on reefs and pollution from direct discharge of sewage. Extensive aquaculture in the region adds nutrients to the water, which results in a rapid growth of harmful algae. Overfishing for the aquarium trade and for commercial, recreational, and subsistence purposes is a large threat. Collection of marine organisms on the reef flats is of increasing concern. Some rare species sought by collectors may be in danger of extinction. An endemic sea bass, along with many other fish species within several different families, lives here. Other residents include water striders, giant clams, and shrimp. Dugongs -- rare relatives of the manatee--graze on sea grass while porpoises catch fish. Green, hawksbill, loggerhead, and leatherback marine turtles spend most of their time in the water but nest on sandy shores. Twenty-three known species of marine birds breed here, including red-footed boobies, sooty terns, and lesser noddies. Fish diversity is high in the New Caledonia Barrier Reef ecoregion. At least 1,000 species have been documented on this reef, which is the second longest barrier reef in the world (after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef), reaching a length of over 900 miles (1,500 km).
The New Caledonia Barrier reef surrounds Grand Terre, New Caledonia's largest island, as well as the Ile des Pins and several smaller islands, reaching a length of 1500 km. The reef encloses a lagoon of 24,000km², which has an average depth of 25 meters. The reefs lie up to 30 kilometers from the shore, but extend almost 200 km to the Entrecasteaux reefs in the northwest. This northwestern extension encloses the Belep Islands and other sand cays. Several natural passages open out to the ocean. The Boulari passage, which leads to Noumea, the capital and chief port of New Caledonia, is marked by the Amedee lighthouse. The reef has great species diversity with a high level of endemism, and is home to endangered dugongs "(Dugong dugon)", and is an important nesting site for Green Sea Turtle "(Chelonia mydas)". Most of the reefs are generally thought to be in good health. Some of the eastern reefs have been damaged by effluent from nickel mining on Grand Terre. The New Caledonia Barrier reef surrounds Grand Terre, New Caledonia's largest island, as well as the Ile des Pins and several smaller islands, reaching a length of 1500 km. The reef encloses a lagoon of 24,000km², which has an average depth of 25 meters. The reefs lie up to 30 kilometers from the shore, but extend almost 200 km to the Entrecasteaux reefs in the northwest. This northwestern extension encloses the Belep Islands and other sand cays. Several natural passages open out to the ocean. The Boulari passage, which leads to Noumea, the capital and chief port of New Caledonia, is marked by the Amedee lighthouse. The reef has great species diversity with a high level of endemism, and is home to endangered dugongs (Dugong dugon), and is an important nesting site for Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Most of the reefs are generally thought to be in good health. Some of the eastern reefs have been damaged by effluent from nickel mining on Grand Terre. Sedimentation from mining, agriculture, and grazing has affected reefs near river mouths, which has been worsened by the destruction of mangrove forests, which help to retain sediment. Some reefs have been buried under several meters of silt.
