description Sudbury Reef Overview
Sudbury Reef is a coral reef within Australia's Great Barrier Reef system off the coast of Queensland. It lies inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the federally managed marine area established in 1975 to protect and regulate use of much of the reef region. The reef is relevant to marine navigation, conservation management, and ecological study, but its precise classification and location should be taken from current hydrographic or park-authority records.
help Sudbury Reef FAQ
Where is Sudbury Reef located?
Sudbury Reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef system, located off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia. It sits within the protected waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which was established in 1975.
What historical maritime incident is Sudbury Reef known for?
The reef is most famous for being the site of the grounding of the Shen Neng 1, a Chinese coal carrier, in 2010. The ship struck the reef and caused massive environmental damage by spilling oil and destroying a stretch of coral.
How did the grounding at Sudbury Reef affect the local coral ecosystem?
The hull of the Shen Neng 1 gouged a massive scar into the reef and spread toxic anti-fouling paint across the sea floor. The damage resulted in a loss of thousands of square meters of coral, which researchers have monitored closely ever since.
Is Sudbury Reef open to tourists and divers?
While the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is a major destination for tourism, Sudbury Reef itself is generally subject to strict environmental protections. The area is more heavily utilized for scientific research to monitor its recovery from the 2010 shipping disaster.
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