3 June 2008

If you’re heading out on the water over the upcoming Queen’s Birthday long weekend, don’t forget to pick up your free Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Map so you know where you can go and what you can do.

Mick Bishop from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said the maps were useful to keep onboard boats or in tackle boxes and should be checked regularly when out on the water.

“It’s a good idea for fishers to check their maps while out on the water to ensure they aren’t illegally fishing in areas where fishing isn’t allowed or is limited,” he said.

“Even people who go out on the water regularly should take time to check the activities’ guide on the maps to refresh their knowledge of what they can and can’t do in particular areas.

“It is important people know where they are and what the zoning is for that area, otherwise they could risk getting a fine for illegal fishing.”

“People should be particularly mindful that they can’t fish in Green Zones and there’s limited line fishing in Yellow Zones.”

Green Zones are no-take areas where extractive activities like fishing or collecting are not allowed.

Anyone can enter a Green Zone to anchor and participate in activities such as boating, swimming and snorkelling.

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.

There’s limited line fishing 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 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 maps are widely available from bait and tackle shops, visitor information centres, ship chandlers and Environmental Protection Agency and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol offices. Alternatively call the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 1800 990 177 for a free map.