A number of government agencies work together to help keep the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and adjacent Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park healthy and to allow for the continued sustainable use of this special area.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), a Commonwealth statutory authority, is responsible for the overall planning and management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) works closely with the GBRMPA in the day-to-day management of the Marine Park, as well as Queensland Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and National Parks.
Many other Commonwealth and Queensland Government agencies are also closely involved in management and compliance activities.
Click here for the contact details of key agencies and for more detail on each agency follow the links below.
Commonwealth Government
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park AuthorityPrincipal adviser to the Commonwealth Government on the care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area.
Australian Customs Service (ACS)
Enforces immigration and custom laws. Coastwatch provides aerial surveillance of Australian coastal waters.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Responsible for managing shipping activities throughout the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Coordinates emergency responses to marine emergencies and marine pollution (e.g. oil spills)
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS)
Responsible for quarantine inspection services for all vessels entering Australian waters.
Department of the Environment and Heritage
Develops and implements national policy, programs and legislation to protect and conserve Australia's natural environment and cultural heritage
Queensland Government
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Lead agency to the Queensland Government for environmental management matters including the assessment and approval of works in intertidal areas.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS)
An entity of EPA responsible for managing the Queensland Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and island and mainland National Parks.
Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (DPI&F)
Responsible for managing issues relating to the collection of marine resources (e.g. aquarium fish and sea cucumber), and for the management of and research on commercial and recreational fishing.
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Provides overall coordination and direction for Queensland Government involvement in Marine Park matters.
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ)
Responsible for licensing, registration and the safe navigation of vessels. Lead response agency for oil and chemical spills in the Marine Park.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP)
Enforces Marine Parks, fisheries and transport legislation. Conducts surveillance in the Dugong Protection Areas and research on fisheries.
Queensland Water Police
Enforces Marine Parks legislation and investigates crimes on the water.
