22 February 2007

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is just one of many Government agencies throughout Australia who use GPS for enforcement purposes.

“GPS is used for evidence on foreign fishing boat activity, customs and immigration, land clearing and many other activities,” GBRMPA Executive Director John Tanzer said today.

“Like other Australian agencies, the GBRMPA uses GPS as part of evidence collecting to keep the waters of the Great Barrier Reef safe from misuse such as illegal fishing.

“GBRMPA will closely examine the transcript of Monday’s court case and if it can identify any ways to tighten its procedures based on the outcomes, it will.

“But it’s going too far to suggest the findings require GBRMPA to disband its entire enforcement strategy and Zoning Plan, or the use of GPS.

“The court decision related to the circumstances of a specific case, and we understand the Director of Public Prosecutions is considering an appeal.

“The continued enforcement of the Zoning Plan is important to the Reef’s survival into the future.

“The community wants to give the Reef’s animals and plants a fighting chance so they’ll still be around for future generations to enjoy.

“Most fishermen understand the importance of zoning and ensure they do the right thing.” 

Mr Tanzer said the integrity of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan was not affected by debates about GPS reliability.

“GPS was not used in the development of the Zoning Plan,” Mr Tanzer said.

“The coordinate-based zones are defined by lines of latitude and longitude that are fixed points on the Earth.

“GPS is a tool that’s used to establish a person’s location in relation to the zones.”