Updated: 15:27, Saturday August 18, 2012

Giant kelp marine forests off southeast Australia have become the first underwater ecological community to be listed as endangered.

The giant marine forests act as important carbon sinks and are able to hold an estimated 80,000 tonnes of carbon per square kilometre – more than double that of some above-ground forests.

They are also home to black lip abalone, southern rock lobsters and threatened species like the red handfish and Ziebell’s handfish.

‘These are the jungles we cannot see and are among our great natural treasures,’ federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said in a statement on Saturday.

‘They can stand more than 20 metres tall … and the abundance of kelp can be as thick as a jungle, providing a haven for marine life.’

It is the first time a marine ecological community has been listed for protection in Australia under national environment law, Mr Burke said.

The marine forests are found in the waters off Tasmania and, when conditions are favourable, off the Victorian and South Australian coastlines.

An increase in sea surface temperature, invasive species, changing land use and coastal activities have been contributing to their destruction.

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