Editing Ashmore and Cartier Islands (section)

==Environment and protection==
{{See also|Birds of Ashmore Reef|Flora of Ashmore and Cartier Islands}}
[[File:Cartier Island.png|thumb|right|Cartier Island and surrounding reef ([[NASA]] satellite image)]]

The [[Ashmore Reef Marine Park]] and [[Cartier Island Marine Park]] are both classed as strict nature reserves (IUCN Ia) and protect biodiverse areas of significant and international importance, as well as cultural heritage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/management/resources/scientific-publications/ashmore-reef-and-cartier-island-reserves/ | title=Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Reserves |access-date=2021-04-15|website=parksaustralia.gov.au}}</ref>

Cartier Island is an unvegetated [[sand island]],<ref name="Europa2004"/> with access prohibited because of the risk of [[unexploded ordnance]]s. There are no ports or harbours, only offshore anchorage.  Today, all the [[water well|well]]s in the Territory are infected with [[cholera]] or otherwise contaminated and [[potable water|undrinkable]].<ref>{{cite news
|title=Bizarre Happenings at Reef
|newspaper=Navy News
|publisher=[[Royal Australian Navy]]
|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS/editions/1999/06_28_99/story03.htm
|date=28 June 1999
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527052059/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS/editions/1999/06_28_99/story03.htm
|archive-date=27 May 2013
|access-date=27 August 2018
}}</ref> The [[Australian Border Force]] vessel {{ship|ABFC|Thaiyak||}} is stationed off the reef for up to 300 days per year.<ref name="FactSheet">{{cite web|url=http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/FS_AshmoreGuardian.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/FS_AshmoreGuardian.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Australian Customs Vessel ''Ashmore Guardian''|publisher=Australian Customs and Border Protection Service}}</ref> The islands are also visited by seasonal caretakers and occasional scientific researchers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashmore Reef marine park {{!}} Australian Marine Parks Science Atlas |url=https://atlas.parksaustralia.gov.au/amps?featureId=AMP_NW_AR#research |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=atlas.parksaustralia.gov.au |language=en}}</ref>