Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef has been officially recognised as world heritage site following the World Heritage Committee's vote in Paris.

 

The listing will see 6,000 square kilometres listed as protected by the United Nations' cultural body, UNESCO, and is set to include Cape Range National Park.  UNESCO officially recognised the site for its outstanding natural beauty, biodiversity and the site's significance to protecting endangered species.

 

Ningaloo Reef is Australia's largest fringing coral environment and is home to over 500 species of tropical fish and over 220 species of coral. The listing also extends protection to the extensive limestone cave complexes and water courses.

 

"This is due recognition for what is a wonderful corner of Australia, and the world. Ningaloo is one of the few remaining healthy reef systems and home to threatened species and it totally deserves to appear next to the Great Barrier Reef and the Taj Mahal," Darren Kindleysides, director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, said.

 

"The area has been threatened by marina proposals and recently the oil company Shell has been looking to explore for oil and gas within 50km of the reef, but this listing puts a real responsibility on Australia to make sure the area is protected for the world, now and into the future."

 

The protection of the reef is now twofold, with Australian national law forbidding exploration in the area.

 

The Tourism Council of Western Australia has welcomed the decision, describing the move to protect the reef as a positive move towards giving Ningaloo Reef the same recognition as Queensland's Great Barrier Reef.