We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the sovereign Traditional Owners of Australia and thank them for their stewardship of this Country, its lands, waters and skies. We respectfully acknowledge their culture and customary practices, and pay respect to their Ancestors, Elders and future leaders.

For the first time, the State of the Environment report includes a strong Indigenous narrative across all 12 thematic chapters, a narrative crafted through recognising the leadership, collaboration and authorship of Indigenous Australians who continue their connection as Traditional Owners to their lands, waters and skies.

Click to view the State of the Environment report

On 28 March 2025 the government assumed a Caretaker role. Information on websites maintained by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the conclusion of the caretaker period.

Due to technical issues, graphs, maps and tables are currently not displaying within the main content, however, are available via the chapter resources navigation bar. We are working on a solution to resolve the issue.

Reference

Pitcher CR, Doherty P, Arnold P, Hooper J, Gribble N, Bartlett C et al. (2007b). Seabed biodiversity on the continental shelf of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, final report to the Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Cleveland, Queensland.

Pitcher CR, Haywood M, Hooper J, Coles R, Bartlett C, Browne M et al. (2007a). Mapping and characterisation of key biotic and physical attributes of the Torres Strait ecosystem: CRC-TS task number – T2.1 final report, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Cleveland, Queensland.

Pears RJ, Morison AK, Jebreen EJ, Dunning MC, Pitcher CR, Courtney AJ, Houlden B & Jacobsen IP (2012). Ecological risk assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: technical report, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.

Pitcher CR (2013). Environmental sustainability assessment update for habitats, assemblages and bycatch species in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, scientific technical report, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra.