Marine Park Practices

• you are near any coral bommie
• the water depth is shallower than the water surrounding the reef
• you can see other parts of the reef nearby
• the colour of the water is changing, often from dark blue to lighter shades of blue or green
• you are close to an area where waves are breaking and the surrounding water is relatively calm.

A depth sounder is a great way to find the reef edge. Just turn it on well away from the reef and watch as you approach. As the depth starts to decrease near the reef you have probably just passed over the reef edge. In some reefs this may only be metres from the surface coral or a bommie of a couple of nautical miles away from the reef you can see. For most inshore areas such as estuaries and along beaches, the Marine Parks usually extend to high water mark or highest astronomical tide. The high water mark usually equates with the highest flotsam line on the beach. Within estuaries, highest astronomical tide usually corresponds with the furthest extent of marine vegetation such as small stunted mangroves, salt water couch or bare salt flats. In other cases the boundary corresponds with a bridge, boundary of freehold land or the upstream end of an island.

Description of each national park zone

Marine national park 'B' zones

Occur at Butterfly Bay, Maureens Cove, Luncheon Bay, Mantray Bay, Border Island (out to the 100 metre line around the island), the Haselwood group of islands (including Lupton island) and Cow and Calf islands.

Entry is allowed into these areas but no fishing, collecting or other extractive activities are permitted.

Marine national park 'A' zones

Are present around Double Cone island, Hayman island to the north-west side of Hook island (including Arkhurst, Black, Langford and Bird islands), Nara inlet and Saba bay on Hook island, the Molle group of islands, Shute island, Whitsunday island (western side including Cid and Henning islands), Long island and Hamilton islands (including western side of Haselwood island and the Little Linderman, Linderman and Seaforth groups of islands.  The only fishing or extractive activities permitted in Marine National Park 'A' zones are as follows:

• trolling for pelagic species
• limited line fishing by a person using equipment comprised of either one hand-held rod or one handline, and used with no more than one hook; or an artificial fly or a lure
• gathering of oysters for their immediate consumption
• limit crabbing using any combination of crab pots, dillies or inverted dillies that total no more than 4 devices (note - limitations apply on the apparatus used, and restrictions apply on the numbers, size and sex of certain species taken in accordance with the Queensland Fisheries legislation)
• bait gathering of yabbies, eugaries (pippies), bait worms or crabs by hand or hand-held implement
• bait netting using a cast net or recreational bait net as defined by Queensland Fisheries legislation, or use of a commercial bait by a licensed commercial fisherman.

How you dispose of your waste directly affects the health of the reef. Increasing amounts of nutrients and marine pollution are major threats to reefs in the World Heritage Area.

• The discharge of garbage (including plastics, fishing nets and lines) and oil products within the Marine Park is totally prohibited, with the exception of human wastes when discharged from a vessel and fresh fish parts from fish caught in the Marine Park.
• Sewage may not be discharged, from vessels with a holding tank, less than 500 metres from the edge of the nearest reef.

Best environmental practices for waste disposal:

• use pump ashore facilities, where provided, form sewage disposal from holding tanks.
• where there are no pump ashore facilities, discharge sewage in open water away from reefs.
• if there is no holding tank, visitors should not use toilets or urinate in the water when near reefs or in enclosed bays.
• use biodegradable toilet paper and phosphate-free cleaning products and make sure they don't end up in the water.
• petroleum products in the bildge should be broken down with biodegradable detergents and disposed of at recycling depots on shore.
• all litter should be brought back to the mainland and disposed of at a suitable waste disposal site.

A little care and planning will help save you from accidentally damaging fragile coral beds with your anchoring gear. Remember that the depth drops off steeply around many reefs to an average depth of 30 metres throughout the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

• In the Marine Park you are required by law to comply with designated 'no anchoring areas.'

Best environmental practices for anchoring and use of public moorings:

• carry enough chain or chain and line for the depth.
• check out the area before anchoring.
• anchor in sand or mud away from corals.
• motor towards the anchor when hauling in.
• use approved public moorings in preference to anchoring. Public moorings are marked by white or blue buoys, identified by Marine Parks Stickers which state limits of use.
• before using public moorings, read and follow the advice given on an information disc attached to the mooring pick-up line.

Fish feeding is often the highlight for many visitors to the World Heritage Area and is quite acceptable within the guidelines. Tour operators require special permission for fish feeding and must follow the conditions on the permit. Best environmental practices for fish feeding:

• fish feeding in a tourism operation should be well supervised and conducted only by staff.
• avoid feeding where fishing takes place.
• fish should not be fed directly by hand, but by throwing food into the water.
• people should not be in the water at the time.
• feed fish with only raw marine products or fish pellets.
• use no more than one kilogram of food per day per site.

Boat handling and manoeuvering

Fishing is one of the most popular activities in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. You can make sure you know what is permitted by obtaining copies of zoning maps and information on official numbers, size and tackle limits, protected species and seasonal closures from your local Queensland Department of Environment office or Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol office.

• Abide by zoning regulations (no fishing in green zones and some restrictions in yellow zones), bag limits, size l limits, tackle restrictions and seasonal closures.

• take only what you need and stick to official limits.
• if you intend keeping a fish, remove it from the hook or net quickly and humanely.
• return all undersized or unwanted fish to the water carefully and quickly.
• avoid fishing where fish feeding takes place.
• avoid fishing in areas where fish are gathering to spawn.
• report tagged fish to the Department of Primary Industries tagging hotline (1800 077 001.)
• report 'fish kills' to the Queensland Department of Environment. Note the circumstances and collect specimens if possible.

Where am I allowed to spearfish?
You may spearfish in all general use zones of the Marine Park, and in all non-zoned sections of the Marine Park. However, you should note that some waters within these general use zones are closed to spearfishing under Queensland law - there are details of those areas in the Queensland Harbours and Marine Tide Tables.

Where am I NOT allowed to spearfish?
You may not spearfish in Marine National Park 'A', Marine National Park Buffer and Marine National Park 'B' Zones, nor in Scientific Research or Preservation Zones. You also may not spearfish in areas where periodic restrictions are in operation. These areas may be:

• Replenishment Areas...A replenishment Area is an area closed for a specified period to all activities, including spearfishing, that take living resources from the Marking Park. The only such activity allowed in a closed Replenishment Area is trolling for pelagic mackerel species during specific periods.
• Reef Appreciation Area...Reef Appreciation Areas are small areas of reefs where all extractive activities are prohibited to protect the areas in their natural state. These areas are widely advertised and usually marked.
• Reef Research Areas...Reef Research Areas are small area closed to extractive activities to protect specific research projects. These areas are usually marked.
• Seasonal Closure Areas...Seasonal Closure Area are areas closed to all access during the breeding or nesting periods of birds or other marine life. The closure of these areas is advertised.

The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is an important breeding and feeding ground for cetaceans such as whales and dolphins. Commercial operators need permits before they can run whale watching activities.

• killing, taking, injuring and interfering with cetaceans. Interference includes harassment, chasing and herding of whales.

• boats must be no closer than 100 metres to a whale.
• where there are three or more boats within 300 metres of a whale, additional boats must remain at least 300 metres from the whale.
• a person must not enter the water closer than 300 metres to a whale.
• when a boat is closer than 300 metres to a whale the operator must observe a 4 knot speed limit and avoid any operations which disturb the animal or cause it to change its behaviour.

• avoid all contact with whales and calves.
• if there is a sudden change in whale behaviour, move away.
• report sick, injured or stranded whales or dolphins to a relevant authority.
• use commercial whale watching vessels where possible rather than private vessels.

Scuba diving and snorkelling are the most popular ways to experience the unique and beautiful underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Deliberate damage to the reef is a rarity and there are several ways that snorkellers and divers can avoid accidental damage. All divers and snorkellers should be aware that it is a legal offence in the Marine Park to damage or remove coral. When you dive and snorkel:

• check you are weighted correctly before diving and practise buoyancy control away from coral.
• if you are a beginner, practise snorkelling techniques away from coral, and dive over sand until you have mastered buoyancy control.
• secure dragging diving equipment such as gauges.
• do not rest or stand on coral. Take extra care when taking underwater photographs.
• avoid touching anything with your fins and try not to disturb sediment or coral.
• if you need to rest while snorkelling - try to use the rest stations where provided.
• observe animals rather than handle them. Handling some animals may be dangerous.
• do not chase or attempt to ride or grab free-swimming animals and avoid blocking their path.
• do not prod any plants or animals.
• if you pick up anything under water, living or dead, always return it to exactly the same position.
• learn about the underwater environment.

• before visiting islands, check for special requirements and obtain national park camping permits from the Department of Environment.
• remove seeds of introduced plants from your clothing or shoes before landing.
• camp only in designated camp sites.
• check Marine Park zoning requirements before fishing or collecting.
• take any litter or rubbish back to the mainland
• take care when washing and cleaning:
  do not use detergents, toothpaste or soap in creeks, streams or closed waterways;
  wash at least 50 metres away from water courses and use only biodegradable products;
  use sand as a scourer to remove waste when cleaning dishes.
• use gas or liquid spirit gloves for cooking. Campfires are not permitted on most islands.
• always use toilets where provided. Where there are no toilets, use a spot at least 100 metres from campsites and water courses and bury all faecal wastes at least 15 centimetres deep.
• do not disturb vegetation or break off branches from trees and shrubs.
• do not disturb nesting seabirds or turtles. Avoid making loud noises, using strong lights or making sudden movements near their nests.
• do not take animals or plants to islands nor feed the native animals.
• do not write or place graffiti anywhere.
• do not use generators or compressors unless you have permission from the Department of Environment. Do not play amplified music on island national parks.
• learn about the natural and cultural values of the island you are visiting.

• determine the suitable reef walking tidal height for the area through using local tide time charts and pre-visits to reef walk locations. The best time for reef walking is during the low spring tides when, for a few days each fortnight, tides fall further than average, exposing the intertidal area.
• allow one hour either side of the predicted low tide time for adequate walking time and during the walk keep watch on the incoming tide.
• wear protective footwear at all times and during Box Jellyfish season, (October to May), it is advisable to wear protective leg wear, such as stockings or stinger-suits.
• wear maximum sunscreen lotion and a broad brimmed hat for protection against the sun's harmful ultra-violet rays.
• for easy underwater viewing use a bucket or container with a transparent base.

• on a marked trail be sure to follow the markers and avoid straying or taking shortcuts. Where a marked trail is not provided, take time to locate any regularly used trails or, where possible, follow sand channels.
• watch where you tread so as to avoid stepping on any coral or living matter. Many plants and animals living in this are are fragile and can die upon initial impact.
• reef walking across coral colonies in water above your ankles should be avoided. Inadequate vision into the water and difficulties in balancing can only further increase potential damage to the area.
• return any boulders to their original position if over-turned. Many animals and plants shelter on the underside so of boulders and will soon die if they are exposed.
• avoid standing on the edges of coral pools. The corals in this area are often fragile and easily damaged, particularly upon stepping in and out of the pool.
• marine animals have adapted to a wet environment and can die or become stressed is exposed to dry atmospheric conditions. If animals are to be taken from their environment for closer inspection, ensure that they are picked up with wet or moist hands and place in a sea water container for observation.
• do not pick up or remove animals which are attached to the reef flat as they will not survive after being detached.
• avoid collecting marine animals for souvenirs, particularly shells and corals. In many cases shells which appear empty have hermit crabs living deep inside. If shells are removed from their environment then these crabs will die.
• use a pole or stick for balance and do not use these to poke or probe at animals. Many reef flat dwellers have soft tissues which are easily torn or ruptured by thoughtless use of balance poles.
• do not leave any litter behind especially cigarette butts. These can be harmful to fish and seabirds when mistaken for food and swallowed.

• keep group size to a maximum of 15 people. Groups exceeding this size are difficult to co-ordinate and often opportunities to deliver educational messages are lost.
• ensure walkers are kept in a group on the reef flat, and where possible break the main group up into smaller groups.
• when following a marked trail, maintain single file formation between points of interest so as to avoid widening of the trail and damaging corals and other living matter.

• keep lighting to a minimum.
• lights should be no more than a three-volt, two-cell, hand-held torch.
• do not approach closelly or shine lights on turtles leaving the water or moving up the beach.
• avoid shining lights directly on the turtle during egg laying.
• avoid loud noise and sudden movements.
• keep dogs away. Dogs are not permitted in national parks or on most beach areas.
• do not light campfires on turtle nesting beaches.
• report the place and date of turtle sightings to the Department of Environment.
• learn about the habits and needs of turtles.

• avoid roosting or nesting seabird colonies.
• don't approach close enough to stress birds, This may force them to move from their nests or young, or to take flight.
• if seabirds exhibit stressful behaviour overhead, such as raucous calling or swooping, leave immediately, taking care to avoid crushing well camouflaged eggs.
• when approaching birds, be quiet, avoid rapid or sudden movement, crouch and use existing cover.
• never attempt to touch birds, chicks or eggs.
• avoid using lights near or in bird colonies.
• take particular care on seabird islands at the following sensitive times:
  late afternoon and early evening
  during the hottest part of the day
  wet and/or cold weather
  moonlit nights
  when eggs, or naked or downy chicks are in their nests.
• learn about the habits and needs of seabirds.

• Vessel collisions with large marine creatures such as marine mammals and reptiles can kill the animal as well as severely damage a prop or hull. Stay alert for these species at these times of the year:
  
  Dugong are an endangered species that inhabit shallow inshore areas along the entire Queensland coast where they feed almost exclusively on seagrass. They are present at all times of the year.
  
  Humpback whales undertake their annual migration along the Queensland cost, principally from June to November. The calving ground for this endangered species is around the Whitsunday Islands off central Queensland. Exercise extreme care in this area from July to September to avoid disturbance of mother/calf pairs.
  
  Sea turtles occur along the Queensland coast all year, but during the breeding season of September/October may spend protracted periods of time at the surface engaged in mating behaviours.
  
• Use care when approaching shorelines, beaches and reef edges. Proceed slowly, and carefully choose where to come ashore or leave your vessel.
• Take care when transferring fuel. Refuel on land to minimise the risk of fuel and oil spilages.