Great Barrier Reef Marine Park - Habitat Protection - HP-10-5008

To provide for the conservation of areas of the Marine Park through the protection and management of sensitive habitats, generally free from potentially damaging activities; and to provide opportunities for reasonable use.

Species of Concern: corals, dugong, humpback whale, Australian snubfin dolphin, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, helmet shell, triton shell, tridacnid clam, seahorse, pipefish, sea dragon, potato cod, Queensland grouper, barramundi cod, Maori wrasse, groupers, whale shark, grey nurse shark, great white shark, freshwater sawfish, green sawfish, sea snakes, crocodiles, green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, flatback turtle, olive ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle

Restrictions

The written permission of the Authority is required to use or enter the Habitat Protection Zone for any of the following purposes:
a) fishing involving:
i) taking in a harvest fishery other than an accredited harvest fishery; or
ii) conducting a developmental fishery program; or
iii) taking of leader prawn broodstock in the Mission Beach Leader Prawn Broodstock Capture Area, in accordance with any limitations prescribed in the Regulations;
b) collecting other than that detailed in the Allowed section;
c) traditional use of marine resources that is not in the Allowed section;
d) conducting an aquaculture operation that does not include the addition of feed;
e) operating a fishing industry service vessel;
f) conducting a tourist program;
g) research, other than limited impact research (extractive) or limited impact research (non-extractive);
h) conducting an educational program, other than a limited educational program;
i) conducting a vessel or aircraft charter operation;
j) operating a vessel or aircraft in 1 vicinity:
i) for more than 14 consecutive days; or
ii) for more than 30 days in any period of 60 days;
k) navigating a ship, or a managed vessel or aircraft;
l) carrying out works for an activity that is consistent with the purpose of the zone, including:
i) dredging; or
ii) dumping of spoil; or
iii) reclamation; or
iv) beach protection works; or
v) harbour works;
m) a program to take animals or plants that pose a threat to:
i) human life or safety; or
ii) marine ecosystems in the Marine Park; or
iii) the use or amenity of a part of the zone or an adjacent area;
not being a taking of animals or plants for which permission is not required;
n) any other activity that is consistent with the purpose and is not mentioned in the Allowed section.

Allowed

Habitat Protection Zone may be used or entered without permission for any of the following purposes:
a) low impact activities, including low impact recreational activities, that do not involve the taking of plants, animals or marine products;
b) fishing or collecting involving:
i) trolling; or
ii) line fishing; or
iii) limited spearfishing (fishing with a spear or speargun, NOT using a powerhead, or firearm, a light or underwater breathing apparatus other than a snorkel); or
iv) netting (including bait netting); or
v) crabbing/trapping; or
vi) taking in accordance with an accredited harvest fishery; or
vii) limited collecting;
c) traditional use of marine resources involving an activity otherwise permitted or in accordance with:
i) an accredited traditional use of marine resources agreement; and
ii) any requirements relating to the operation of that agreement prescribed in the Regulations;
d) photography, filming or sound recording;
e) limited impact research (extractive) or limited impact research (non-extractive);
f) conducting a limited educational program;
g) navigating a vessel or aircraft (except a ship or a managed vessel or aircraft), if any equipment that is normally used for fishing or collecting is stowed or secured when the vessel or aircraft is in a part of the zone in which the use of the equipment is not permitted.