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Monitoring the Darwin Harbour and its marine environments

The Darwin Harbour’s water quality is regularly tested to protect its environmental, recreational and cultural values.

Testing is part of a monitoring program that includes:

  • ambient environmental monitoring of the harbour and its waterways
  • water quality testing at beaches used for swimming.

Annual report cards

The results of the Darwin Harbour monitoring program have been reported in the annual Darwin Harbour Region report cards since 2009.

Regular monitoring locations cover a range of reporting zones. This includes Darwin Harbour estuary and extends to marine waters from Charles Point in the west and Gunn Point in the east.

The program is supported by other monitoring and research projects in Darwin Harbour.

Water quality and stream biota at sites in the Darwin Harbour catchment have been monitored every year since 2001, but now monitoring is restricted to Rapid Creek in the Darwin urban area.

View the report cards on the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security website.

Marine biodiversity

The Northern Territory (NT) has one of the world's most intact marine environments. Protecting its marine and coastal biodiversity is key.

The health of marine biodiversity in Darwin Harbour is monitored by mapping and characterising underwater habitats, studying seagrass habitats, dolphins and marine turtles.

Read more about Darwin Harbour biodiversity monitoring.

Joint monitoring and research program

The Northern Territory Government and INPEX jointly run an integrated marine monitoring and research program.

Committee

The Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee advises the NT Government through the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources on the effective management of Darwin Harbour and its catchment.

For more information about the committee, its strategy and to subscribe to their bulletin, go to the Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee's website.