Cooktown is the main township in the large Cape York LMAC region. With a population of around 1600 people, Cooktown is the closest Australian town to the Great Barrier Reef, which at this location is just 10 kilometres offshore. The Ribbon Reefs, a string of 10 outer shelf coral reefs that stretch for approximately 100km from due east of Cooktown north to near Lizard Island are just a 45 minute boat ride away. The ‘Ribbons’ are on the edge of the continental shelf and attract a huge diversity of marine life including shark, manta and minke whales. Nearby Lizard Island hosts a spectacular array of corals and huge variety of reef fish. Princess Charlotte Bay and Bathurst Bay support significant dugong habitat, with some of the highest densities of dugong in Queensland. Tidal wetlands on the shores of Princess Charlotte Bay and Bathurst Bay are nationally significant and adjacent to Lakefield and Cape Melville National Parks respectively.

Cape York LMAC region

The Cape York Local Marine Advisory Committee region extends from Obree Point in the south to Cape York. It includes the catchments of the Endeavour and Annan Rivers and the Normanby, Morehead and North Kennedy Rivers which drain into Princess Charlotte Bay. 

Who is represented on the Cape York LMAC?

Members of the Cape York LMAC represent a diversity of interest groups including: regional tour and charter operators; catchment management groups; local dive and recreational fishing clubs; Indigenous representatives; local councils and independent coastal residents with an interest in the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Government officers from the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management, Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority also attend meetings.

What are some of the current issues the Cape York LMAC is concerned about?

• Sustainable management of marine resources including fisheries and endangered species
• Supporting the implementation of the Reef Guardian Schools program on the Cape
• Supporting Indigenous land and sea management
• Supporting removal of marine debris accumulating along the Cape York coastline.

What has the LMAC accomplished?

• Sponsored the Cape York Future Leaders Reef HQ visit.  The Cape York LMAC sponsored and facilitated a visit to Townsville Reef HQ for 20 Cape York school students as part of the revitalisation of Cape York Reef Guardian Schools program
• Input to Cairns Area Plan of Management (CAPOM) review. The LMAC used the recent review of the CAPOM to represent the needs of present and future tourism operators working out of Cooktown. This representation resulted in an additional five permits being made available within the area for Cooktown/Bloomfield operators
• Facilitated community submission on the East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Review
• Provided support to Lockhart River Land and Sea Management Centre.
  

Further information about LMACs

For further information on Local Marine Advisory Committees, please contact:

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Cape York Regional Office
PO Box 6091
CAIRNS QLD 4870

Tel.: (07) 4057 0700
Fax: (07) 4051 9866

Email: cape.york.region@gbrmpa.gov.au