25 January 2007

If you’re heading out on the water over the Australia Day long weekend, don’t forget to pick up your free Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Map.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Operations Director Mick Bishop encouraged boaties to consult free Zoning Maps and take it with them on this year’s first long weekend.

“According to Queensland Transport figures, recreational vessel registrations in the Great Barrier Reef region are on the increase so we are calling on all boaties to pick up their free Marine Park Zoning Map,” he said.

“There has been a 15.79 per cent increase in recreational vessel registrations in just over four years and an increase of 8.17 per cent since mid-2004. This means we are seeing more people out on the water than ever before.

“Free zoning guides and maps are widely available from bait and tackle shops, visitor information centres, ship chandlers and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service offices.

“Marine Park enforcement officers can now also issue on-the-spot fines of $1100 to recreational fishermen found illegally fishing in Green Zones, following last year’s changes to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations.”

Mr Bishop said boaties should be particularly mindful of Green and Yellow Zones.

“Green Zones are no-take areas where extractive activities like fishing or collecting are not allowed without written permission.

“Anyone can enter a Green Zone to anchor and participate in activities such as boating, swimming and snorkelling, and travelling through a Green Zone with fish on board is allowed.

“Stowing fishing gear on board the boat or in rod holders with a hook still attached is also allowed in a Green Zone, provided the fishing apparatus is out of the water.”

He said there was also limited line fishing and crabbing in Yellow Zones - this means fishing with one hand-held rod or one hand-held line per person, with one hook attached to that line.

Mr Bishop said preliminary research conducted by James Cook University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science in early 2006 demonstrated the positive effects of Green Zones were already emerging.

“Zoning helps protect the plants and animals in the Marine Park by ensuring all activities take place in an ecologically-sustainable way,” he said.

“The research found both coral trout and stripey sea perch increased as much as two times in the newly protected no-take Green Zones.

“In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, fishermen themselves have commented on a marked increase in fish in areas they visit regularly since Green Zones were established.”

Free zoning guides and maps are widely available from bait and tackle shops, visitor information centres, ship chandlers and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol offices. Alternatively boaties can contact the GBRMPA on 1800 990 177 for a free map.