Derek's story: Protecting the last wild edges of Australia’s ocean frontier

(Image: meeting Derek Ball)

A true blue life on the ocean

My love for the marine world started young. I grew up in North Queensland, but before that, I spent my early childhood in Australia’s central desert. Over the holidays, my family would escape to the coast for a few weeks; a real contrast to the arid landscapes I knew. And those holidays were transformative. By the time I was six, I had learned to snorkel, and by seven, I had already decided: I was going to be a marine biologist.

Those desert years were great for fostering a love of nature. We’d spend our days prospecting, camping, and exploring – adventures that left me with a real respect for the environment. But the pull of the ocean was stronger. My career eventually took me from fisheries research vessels to aquaculture projects and later to marine park management on the Great Barrier Reef. In the mid-1990s, we believed aquaculture might be the answer to overfishing; a way to meet demand while giving wild fish populations a break. It hasn’t always worked out as hoped, but when done well, aquaculture still has great potential.

(Image: underwater scenes around Christmas Island)

Managing marine environments has taught me to see both the challenges and the resilience of our oceans. For example, the Great Barrier Reef is under significant stress, particularly the inshore areas affected by climate change, overfishing, and coastal runoff. Yet, I’ve also dived in remote outer reefs where coral cover is 100%, with active predators and so much more life. These remote refugia are what I consider critical. They represent hope for coral reef ecosystems – pockets of resilience in a changing world. Protecting these areas has become a cornerstone of marine conservation, and my life’s work, ensuring that these natural “bank accounts” of biodiversity can support generations to come.

A lifetime with sharks and changing seas

I started diving in 1980, a time when the underwater world was vastly different from what it is today. Back then, it wasn’t uncommon to see shark populations that would leave you awestruck. I’ll never forget diving in French Polynesia in the early 2000s and being surrounded by hundreds of sharks; tiger sharks, silky sharks, oceanic silver tips, and even Galapagos sharks – all in a single dive. It was mind-blowing, memories etched in my mind. But that’s not the reality anymore. Today, many of those species have dwindled to just 5-8% of their original populations. For example, I remember routinely seeing tiger sharks on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s – almost every other dive. Now, encountering one feels like a once-in-a-decade event.

(Image: Derek has spent a lifetime around sharks)

Here on Christmas Island, the story is a bit different. The waters surrounding the island, especially the lesser-fished southern and western sides, still hold significant shark populations. Recent BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) surveys have confirmed this, revealing oceanic silver tips, silky sharks, tiger sharks, and even pregnant individuals, a rare and exciting discovery. Seamounts have strong currents, which make them natural aggregation points. They act as magnet-like havens for marine life, drawing in sharks and other species, which is what we see here. That makes the diving here extraordinary, with visibility often reaching 50 meters; so clear that it feels like you’re falling through the sky. This clarity minimizes mistaken encounters with predators, making it safer for both divers and the sharks that call these waters home.

We still have much to learn about shark behaviours, breeding grounds, and migration patterns here. That’s why ongoing research, like the BRUV surveys, is critical for understanding and protecting these apex predators. In my opinion, Christmas Island offers a unique glimpse into what the world’s oceans once were and what they could be again with the right conservation efforts. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, as this marine park plays a key role in safeguarding not just sharks, but the balance of the entire ecosystem.

(Image: Christmas Island’s land and sea are interconnected)

Managing two marine parks across the Indian Ocean

As the manager of both the Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Parks, I oversee an area that spans an astounding 744,070 square kilometres, making these parks among the largest protected marine areas in the world. But while the offshore zones encompass vast oceanic territory, much of our day-to-day work focuses on the inshore waters where people and the marine environment intersect. These nearshore areas require active management to ensure sustainable fishing practices, protect vulnerable species, and maintain a balance that benefits both the ecosystem and the community.

For offshore waters, the challenges are different. Here, the emphasis is on preventing illegal fishing and ensuring compliance with conservation laws. This effort involves close collaboration with the Australian Border Force and customs patrols, which are better equipped to handle these wide-ranging enforcement needs. It’s a cooperative approach that ties together federal oversight and local stewardship, ensuring these vast marine sanctuaries remain protected for the future.

(Image: protecting terrestrial and marine spaces is the focus for the National Park team)

The establishment of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park in 2022 was a milestone, and it was created through a truly collaborative process with the local community. While the Australian Government facilitates the creation of marine parks, it’s people who ultimately shape how these areas are protected and used. Through extensive consultation with the Cocos Malay community and broader stakeholders, a draft management plan was developed, guiding conservation efforts for the next decade.

Marine conservation, particularly in areas as remote as these islands, has long flown under the radar. The ocean is out of sight and out of mind for most people; it’s a vast blue expanse that many never experience below the surface. Globally, it’s only been in the last 50 years or so that we’ve started to grasp the importance of protecting marine environments. I think Australia has been a leader in this effort, with initiatives like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park established in the 1970s, helping to put conservation on the map. Today, we continue to evolve these protections, learning and adapting as we go, to ensure the survival of our oceans and the life they sustain.

(Image: diving around the Cocos Islands)

The corals of Christmas Island

And I have to say, Christmas Island has coral cover that ranks among the best in the world, averaging an impressive 70% across its reefs. This level of thriving coral health is rare but not entirely unique, with other regions like parts of the Coral Triangle, the Coral Sea, and select areas of the Great Barrier Reef achieving similar figures – at least based on my experience and work in these areas. However, what sets Christmas Island apart is its location within a globally recognized marine protected area network. These high-diversity, resilient ecosystems are increasingly prioritized for conservation to safeguard their ecological stability against rising global stresses.

The resilience of coral reefs is a complex interplay between coral biology and the broader marine ecosystem. While some corals exhibit remarkable plasticity in their thermal tolerance, like those in the Red Sea that withstand temperatures up to 33°C, this adaptability is not universal. Factors like zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae that provide corals with energy, play a crucial role. Evidence suggests corals can selectively attract types of zooxanthellae more tolerant to heat, aiding their survival during warming events. But coral resilience is about more than their biology; it relies on the entire system. Herbivorous fish, for example, prevent algae from overtaking stressed coral by consuming excess growth, maintaining balance within the ecosystem.

(Image: the coral reefs of Christmas Island)

To ensure Christmas Island’s reefs remain a sanctuary of biodiversity, we continuously monitor key environmental factors. Using data loggers to measure temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water quality, we track the physical and chemical health of the reef system. This ongoing work not only helps us understand how these corals adapt but also informs conservation strategies to protect these ecosystems. And we do this at sea and on land, as part of the bigger picture Christmas Island National Park effort.

Key priorities

Managing ecosystems as complex as those on Christmas and Cocos Islands is both fascinating and overwhelming. With thousands of species - many still undiscovered - comprehensive monitoring is impossible. Instead, we focus on indicator species, organisms whose health reflects the broader ecosystem's condition on land and at sea. Protected area management has evolved significantly over the last century, moving from preserving scenic reserves to a more holistic approach: conservation that enables ecosystems to adapt and evolve. Conservation isn’t about keeping things static - it’s about ensuring ecosystems remain resilient as they respond to changing conditions on a global scale.

(Image: the cliffs of Christmas Island)

One of our critical priorities is invasive species management, which plays a key role in restoring natural processes. On Christmas Island, invasive species like yellow crazy ants, feral cats, and introduced snakes have caused immense ecological damage. Take the keystone species called the red crab—born in the sea and spending their lives on land—with a population exceeding 100 million. These crabs maintain the forest's open ground by consuming seeds and fruit before they can germinate. When crazy ants decimate crab populations, seedlings overrun the forest floor, transforming the jungle into a dense thicket and disrupting habitats for other species. Removing invasive ant colonies restores balance, allowing the crabs to reclaim their role and the ecosystem to function naturally. However, this work is resource-intensive, and the real solution lies in stronger global biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of invasive species in the first place.

Challenges & solutions

Meanwhile, living on Christmas Island presents unique logistical challenges that stem from its remoteness. Same for the Cocos as well, these islands rely on two fragile supply chains—by air and sea—both of which are heavily impacted by the unpredictable weather. During the wet season, planes are often forced to turn back due to low clouds, and supply ships can face weeks or even months of delays if rough sea conditions prevent docking. For islanders, self-sufficiency is not optional; it’s a way of life. Food gardens and fruit trees are cultivated out of necessity, and pantries are stocked in preparation for inevitable shortages.

(Image: the island is raw and rugged, mostly National Park)

Tourism here, while promising, faces its own set of hurdles. However, the community is eager to embrace it as a sustainable opportunity. Christmas Island holds the potential to position itself as a high-value, low-volume destination for travelers seeking rare and untouched experiences. There’s no place on earth quite like it, offering bragging rights for those who want to explore the unexplored. Tourism, when done right, can be a powerful force for conservation. The visitors who make the effort to come here tend to be nature-focused, respectful, and ready to engage with the island’s breathtaking biodiversity and rich cultural heritage. For newcomers, Christmas Island (and Cocos as well) offers an unparalleled multicultural community that is welcoming and deeply rooted in its traditions. Visitors are encouraged to connect with locals, learn from their diverse perspectives, and immerse themselves in the island’s unique way of life.

But as we face the uncertainties of climate change, building resilience into our ecosystems has never been more critical. By managing stressors we can control, such as protecting coral reef species and reducing the impact of invasive species, we’re creating the space for these fragile environments to adapt. Christmas and Cocos Islands are so much more than just remote outposts. I believe they are living laboratories and cultural refugees. For those who find their way to the islands, cherish what you see, respect what you learn, and leave the islands better for having the chance to be here in the first place. I will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

(Image: the iconic red crab endemic to the island)

As told to Andi Cross in November 2024.

About the Ocean Breakthroughs

Resulting from the joint efforts of the Ocean & Coastal Zones community and building on the Ocean for Climate Declaration, the Ocean Breakthroughs have identified five turning points to reach by 2030 in order to achieve a healthy and productive ocean in 2050. These five turning points are focused around the most crucial ocean sectors: marine conservation, ocean renewable energy, shipping, aquatic food, and coastal tourism. Accelerated action and investments in each will help unlock the potential of the ocean as a source of solutions to the pressing challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

The scientific evidence is clear: as a major climate regulator and the largest living space on Earth, the ocean is integral to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework. The Ocean Breakthroughs are science-based targets designed to boost mitigation and adaptation efforts, for the benefit of People and Nature. They will contribute to delivering on the global campaigns led by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, namely the Race to Resilience and Race to Zero, and their respective action agendas: the Sharm el-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and the 2030 Breakthroughs.

About the Champions x Edges of Earth Expedition

The women-led global expedition, Edges of Earth, has partnered with the Climate High-Level Champions to bring to life the Ocean Breakthroughs initiative by sharing personal accounts and climate action stories from remote coastal communities. This media partnership will feature interview-style stories that highlight the experiences and efforts of locals, Indigenous communities, nonprofits, and ocean scientists in addressing climate change. Celebrating its one-year anniversary, Edges of Earth has traveled to 25 countries (with nearly 30+ more to go throughout 2025) working closely with diverse groups to understand and amplify their climate resilience strategies. Through this collaboration, Edges of Earth will spotlight the five Ocean Breakthroughs by showcasing diverse voices and solutions to accelerate global climate action.