Houtman Abrolhos
A bay in the Houtman Abrolhos | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Coordinates | 28°43′S 113°47′E / 28.717°S 113.783°E |
| Archipelago | Houtman Abrolhos |
| Total islands | 122 |
| Area | 16.4 km2 (6.3 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
Australia | |
| State | Western Australia |
| Federal electorates | Durack |
| State electorate | Geraldton |
| LGA | City of Greater Geraldton |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 6 (2016 census) |
| Ethnic groups | Australians |
| Additional information | |
| Southernmost true coral reef in the Indian Ocean | |
The Houtman Abrolhos (often called the Abrolhos Islands) is a chain of 122 islands and associated coral reefs in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Australia about 80 kilometres (50 mi) west of Geraldton, Western Australia. It is the southernmost true coral reef in the Indian Ocean, and one of the highest latitude reef systems in the world.
It is one of the world's most important seabird breeding sites, and the centre of Western Australia's largest single-species fishery, the western rock lobster fishery. It has a small seasonal population of fishermen, and a limited number of tourists are permitted for day trips, but most of the land area is off-limits as a conservation habitat. It is the site of numerous shipwrecks, the most famous being two Dutch ships: Batavia, which was wrecked in 1629 (followed by massacre of over 100 survivors by mutineers), and Zeewijk, wrecked in 1727.
The islands are an unincorporated area with no municipal government, subject to direct administration of the Government of Western Australia. In July 2019, the Houtman Abrolhos was declared a national park by the state government.