Pulu Keeling National Park

The preservation of the area in its natural condition and the encouragement and regulation of the appropriate use, appreciation and enjoyment of the area by the public. Pulu Keeling National Park is an uninhabited low-lying tropical oceanic coral atoll, mostly covered by sand and fragments of coral and pumice, on top of an old volcanic seamount that rises from a depth of 5,000 metres.

Species of Concern: boobies, frigatebirds, tropicbirds, green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, Olive Ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, Cocos angelfish, whale shark, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, humpback whale

Restrictions

1. Access to the park by the public is limited to persons:
a) in the company of park staff,
b) authorised by a permit issued by the Director under the EPBC Regulations, or
c) carrying on or taking part in authorised commercial activities for which a permit has been issued.
2. The following is not permitted:
a) using equipment whil fishing that allows a person to breathe under the surface of the water; or
b) attracting or taking fish using, or installing, equipment other than:
(i) a rod and line to which a single hook or fishing lure is attached;
(ii) a hand?held line to which a single hook or fishing lure is attached; or
(iii) a hand?held net designed to land a fish caught on a hook or fishing lure attached to a line;
c) using a hand?held net to take a fish that has not been caught on a hook or fishing lure attached to a line; or (d) tethering fish (whether or not alongside a boat);
e) using a live animal as bait for fishing;
f) using a member of a native species, other than a species of fish, as bait for fishing;
g) leaving a fishing line unattended while the fishing line is being used for fishing; or
h) cleaning or filleting fish:
(i) if the person is on land—within 50 metres of any area of water, except at a facility provided by the Director for that purpose; or
(ii) if the person is in an area of water—within 1 kilometre of land.
3. Spear fishing is not allowed in the park.
4. Commercial fishing or the taking of any marine species for sale is not allowed in the park.
5. Waterskiing and jetskiing are not allowed in the park.
6. No commercial activities, other than those mentioned in the Allowed section, may be carried on in the park.

Allowed

1. Diving is allowed by permit.
2. The following commercial activities may be carried on in the park in accordance with a permit issued by the Director:
a) small-scale, low-impact day tours, including land tours of North Keeling Island and scenic boat charters (other than fishing tours), which enable the observation, study and quiet enjoyment of the island’s natural and cultural resources;
b) organised scuba diving, snorkelling, and surfing tours within the marine waters of the park;and
c) capture of images (record by artistic representation, or on film, videotape or electronic medium) or sound recording.