Bays
Largest tributaries
Estuaries
Mugiliformes - Mullets
Perciformes - Perches
Carangiformes - Jacks
Istiophoriformes - Barracudas
Lamniformes - Mackerel sharks
Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks
Orectolobiformes - Carpet shark
Elopiformes - Tarpons and tenpounders
Spariformes - Breams and porgies
Myliobatiformes - Stingrays
Scombriformes - Mackerels
Zeiformes - Dories
Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes
Lophiiformes - Anglerfishes
Heterodontiformes - Bullhead and horn sharks
Lampriformes - Lamprids
Squaliformes - Sleeper and dogfish sharks
Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes
Centrarchiformes - Basses and sunfishes
Mulliformes - Goatfishes
Anguilliformes - Eels and morays
Labriformes - Wrasses
Gadiformes - Cods
Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses
Echinorhiniformes - Bramble sharks
Notacanthiformes - Spiny eels
Gonorynchiformes - Milkfishes
Beryciformes - Sawbellies
Trachichthyiformes - Rughies
Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels
Gobiesociformes - Clingfishes
Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses
Beloniformes - Needlefishes
Trachiniformes - Weeverfishes
Blenniiformes - Blennies
Callionymiformes - Dragonets
Holocentriformes - Squirrelfishes
Clupeiformes - Herrings
Gobiiformes - Gobies
Aulopiformes - Grinners
Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes
Hexanchiformes - Six-gill sharks
Kurtiformes - Nurseryfishes & Cardinalfishes
Rhinopristiformes - Shovelnose rays
The Tasman Sea is a marginal sea of the South Pacific Ocean, situated between Australia and New Zealand. It measures about 2,000 km (1,200 mi) across and about 2,800 km (1,700 mi) from north to south. The sea was named after the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, who in 1642 was the first known person to cross it.
The Tasman Sea is informally referred to in both Australian and New Zealand English as the Ditch; for example, crossing the Ditch means travelling to Australia from New Zealand, or vice versa.
Climate
The south of the sea is passed over by depressions going from west to east. The northern limit of these westerly winds is near to 40°S. During the southern winter, from April to October, the northern branch of these winds from the west changes its direction toward the north and goes up against trade winds. Hence, the sea receives frequent winds from the southwest during this period. In the Australian summer (from November to March), the southern branch of the trade winds goes up against west winds and produces further wind activity in the area.
