Coral Sea Conservation Zone
About the Coral Sea Conservation Zone
The Coral Sea is internationally recognised for its rich biodiversity and important heritage values. In May 2009, the area of the Coral Sea under Australia's jurisdiction was declared a Conservation Zone to provide interim protection while the area is being assessed for possible inclusion in one or more Commonwealth marine reserves.
The Coral Sea Conservation Zone covers approximately 972,000km2 of Australian waters and seabed east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP), out to the edge of Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone. It is the second, and largest, marine conservation zone declared under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Conservation Zone was established in the Southern Ocean in 2002.
The environmental significance of the Coral Sea lies in its diverse array of coral reefs, atolls, deep sea plains and canyons, and the extent to which the region's natural and heritage values have remained relatively undisturbed by direct human impact.
Recent international studies have highlighted that the Coral Sea is one of the last remaining areas of the world's oceans where large-scale and biologically rich ecosystems remain relatively intact.
The Coral Sea also has important heritage significance, being the location of a number of historic shipwrecks and of major naval conflicts of World War II.
By declaring a conservation zone in the Coral Sea, the Australian Government is demonstrating its commitment to protecting one of Australia's most biologically diverse and undisturbed marine environments.
What does the Coral Sea Conservation Zone mean for me?
The conservation zone will have no additional regulatory impact on most activities in the Coral Sea, such as commercial and recreational fishing, or cruise and merchant shipping. However, some commercial activities and scientific research activities will require a permit.
Commercial Fishing
Commercial fishing operators authorised under Commonwealth or state law will not be subject to additional regulation as a result of the declaration of the Coral Sea Conservation Zone
Recreational Fishing
Recreational fishing is allowed anywhere within the conservation zone, and is not subject to any new restrictions on equipment or take. Recreational fishing in the Coral Sea Conservation Zone remains subject to Queensland fisheries laws.
Minerals, Oil and Gas
There are no current or proposed oil, gas or minerals exploration or production operations in the conservation zone area. New exploration or mining operations in the Coral Sea Conservation Zone will require a permit.
Shipping
Australian and foreign cruise ships and merchant shipping vessels that comply with existing regulations are not required to obtain a permit to transit through the Coral Sea Conservation Zone.
Other Commercial Activities
Commercial activities in the Coral Sea Conservation Zone other than commercial fishing, such as charter boat operations, require a permit. There is no application fee for these permits. More information about permits is below.
Scientific Research
Scientific research activities proposed in the Coral Sea Conservation Zone require a permit. There is no application fee for these permits. If you are planning to conduct scientific research in the conservation zone, please contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Contact details are below.
Indigenous Activities
The Torres Strait Turtle Fishery is a traditional fishery, managed by the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority, which extends a small way into the Coral Sea Conservation Zone. Traditional fishing activities are not affected by the establishment of the conservation zone.
Permits
Certain activities within the Coral Sea Conservation Zone will require a permit under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000. These activities include:
- Commercial tourism activities - including charter fishing, sightseeing tours, SCUBA diving and snorkelling tours (but not including commercial fishing)
- Scientific research
There is no permit application fee.
Commercial tourism permits
Commercial tourism activities such as charter boat operations will require a permit to operate in the Coral Sea Conservation Zone from 1 September 2009. Permits will remain current until 31 August 2014, or until the area ceases to be a conservation zone, whichever is sooner.
A standard set of conditions will apply to all commercial tourism permits. Certain additional conditions will only apply if particular activities such as charter fishing and/or SCUBA diving and snorkelling are intended to be undertaken.
If you intend to apply for a permit to conduct commercial tourism activities, please download the application form, complete it, print it out, sign it, and post or fax the signed form with all required attachments to:
Coral Sea Permits Officer
Marine Division
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Download
A copy of a signed, witnessed and dated permit conditions form and indemnity form need to accompany the permit application form. Please allow a minimum of 28 days for processing.
Scientific research permits
If you are planning to conduct scientific research in the Coral Sea Conservation Zone please contact us for permit application details.
East Marine Region
The Coral Sea lies within the East Marine Region.
Marine bioregional planning is currently underway in the East Marine Region and assessment of the Coral Sea area will be undertaken consistent with this process. This will involve extensive stakeholder consultation and a detailed analysis of the environmental, economic and social values of the area, as well as existing and potential future uses.
Marine bioregional planning will provide the foundation for conservation and sustainable management of Australia's marine environment, including the development of new networks of marine protected areas.
A Bioregional Profile for the East Marine Region has been developed which describes in detail the conservation and heritage values of the Region, including the Coral Sea.
The East Bioregional Profile is the last of four Bioregional Profiles to be completed for Australian waters, and is the first step in developing a Marine Bioregional Plan for the East Marine Region.
Further information
- Coral Sea Conservation Zone fact sheet (PDF - 505 KB) | (RTF - 3387 KB)
- Commercial tourism operations in the Coral Sea (PDF - 494 KB) | (RTF - 2022 KB)
- Commercial fishing in the Coral Sea Conservation Zone (PDF - 504 KB) | (RTF - 3587 KB)
- Recreational fishing in the Coral Sea Conservation Zone (PDF - 480 KB) | (RTF - 1433 KB)
For more information, phone 02 6274 1111 or email coral.sea@environment.gov.au
Permits
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