11 June 2010

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has today quashed scuttlebutt and rumours about changes to the current Zoning Plan.

GBRMPA Chairman Dr Russell Reichelt said that while the final decision to reopen the 2004 Zoning Plan is at the discretion of the Minister for Environment Protection, the GBRMPA will not be seeking the Minister's support or approval to do this in 2011.

"There are no plans to reopen the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2004 in 2011 and no plans to increase the area of 'Green' or 'No take' zones.

"I am disappointed that certain individuals are mounting what can only be described as a fear campaign to benefit their own agenda when there is absolutely no truth in the rumour that the GBRMPA is looking to increase Green Zones.

"The Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2009 is the most comprehensive assessment of the health of the Great Barrier Reef and its outlook along with the effectiveness of the current management regime.

"The Report clearly states that the best available science tells us the current zoning plan is working and we have no intention of changing it. On the whole we are seeing increases in coral trout numbers and size in Green Zones.

"What the Outlook Report does tell us is that we need to continue to hone our zoning education program and ensure people obey the rules.

"We have received reports of illegal fishing in Green Zones and the people who undertake this knowingly not only seek to flout the law but seek an advantage over the majority of fishers who do the right thing and comply with zoning.

"The zoning regime put in place under the Representative Areas Program is vital for ensuring the resilience and sustainability of coral reefs and other habitats in the Marine Park."

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