31 March 2010

Boaties and fishers planning a trip into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park over Easter are reminded to grab a free Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Map before heading out on the water.

Patrols will be occurring over Easter so it's important people know where they can go and what they can do so they have an enjoyable time in the Marine Park.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Chairman Russell Reichelt said Zoning Maps were useful to keep onboard boats or in tackle boxes and should be checked regularly when out on the water.

“If fishers check their maps regularly while out on the water, it helps them ensure they aren’t illegally fishing in areas where fishing isn’t allowed or is limited,” he said.

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

“It's important people refresh their knowledge of what they can and can’t do in particular areas, even if they're out on the water regularly."

Penalties apply for not following the zoning rules.

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.

Free Zoning Maps are 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.

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