10 January 2010

Visitors to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have been praised for getting off to a good start this year.

Few instances of littering, illegal fishing, oil spills or other environmental incidents were identified over the Christmas period when visitation is among its highest levels.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Acting Chairman Andrew Skeat urged visitors to keep up the good work when out in the Marine Park during the remainder of the year.

"There are many people out on the water making the most of holidays and the fantastic Queensland summer and it's great to see they are being responsible and taking care of the marine environment," he said.

"We've seen few instances of littering, oil spills, illegal fishing and other environmental incidents and we hope that this will set the tone for the rest of the year.

"We encourage both locals and visitors alike to do the right thing out on the water to ensure they have a good time and the Marine Park is protected for future generations to enjoy just as we do.

"People planning to go fishing in the Marine Park should brush up on the zoning rules so they know where they can go and what they can do and not risk a fine for illegal fishing.

"When out on the water, we encourage people to dispose of their rubbish properly and adhere to fish size and bag limits."

Tips for having a great time in the Marine Park:

• Grab a free Zoning Map from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority so you know where you are and what you can do
• Bring your rubbish, including fishing line  and bait bags, and any litter you find back  to the mainland
• Take only what you need and abide by possession and size limits set by Queensland Fisheries
• Return all undersized or unwanted fish to the water carefully and quickly
• Anchor in sand or mud away from corals
• Be on the lookout for marine animals and travel slowly in areas where they are known to be present
• Ensure your boat engine is in good condition and your boat is equipped with appropriate safety gear.

Anyone out on the water can report suspected environmental incidents by submitting an incident report form online at www.gbrmpa.gov.au or by calling (07) 4726 0588 (business hours) or (07) 3830 8246 (after hours).

Ends...