Marine Protected Areas
The Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve has been assigned to IUCN category 1a - strict nature reserve, which means that the Reserve will be managed primarily for scientific research and environmental monitoring.
Under the new management arrangements all forms of fishing will be prohibited in the Reserve and vessels entering the Reserve must have all fishing gear unrigged and stowed away. Management of the Reserve will ensure that the habitats, ecosystems and native species necessary for the protection of the grey nurse shark are preserved in as undisturbed state as possible.
These arrangements will remain in place until a management plan for the Reserve is approved by the Australian Government Minister for Environment and Water Resources. The Interim Management Arrangements are set out below:
| Activity | Arrangements |
|---|---|
| Accessing the Reserve | Visitors may access the Reserve providing all fishing gear on board the vessel is unrigged and stowed away. |
| Commercial Fishing | All forms of commercial fishing are prohibited. Commercial fishing vessels are prohibited from entering or transiting the Reserve#. |
| Recreational Fishing | All forms of recreational fishing (including spearfishing) are prohibited. Any vessels entering the Reserve must have all fishing gear* unrigged and stowed away while in the Reserve#. |
| Commercial SCUBA Diving | Allowed under an approval from the Director of National Parks (DNP). |
| Recreational SCUBA Diving | Permitted in accordance with the NSW Code of Conduct for diving with Grey Nurse Sharks |
| Scientific Activities | Allowed under an approval from the DNP. |
| Mining Operations | Prohibited. |
| Other Commercial Activities | Assessed on a case-by-case basis and subject to approval from the DNP. |
* Rigged fishing gear means any equipment that is designed or can reasonably be expected to attract or take fish or other aquatic animals and is attached to a line, rod or pole.
# Prohibited by Determinations made by the Director of National Parks
Interim management arrangements will remain in force until a management plan for the Reserve is approved. A management plan provides for the protection and conservation of the reserve. It sets out how the reserve is to be managed, what activities will be allowed within the reserve and how they must be carried on. The development of the plan will involve two periods of public consultation in which all stakeholders will have the opportunity to have their say about the plan. The first public consultation is expected to begin soon after declaration.