Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
Management
Coral reef and fish at Lord Howe Island, DEWHA
Interim management arrangements
The Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) is a Commonwealth Reserve under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Management Plan regulating activities in the Park ceased to have effect on 24 September 2009.
Until a new management plan is in place, interim management arrangements, including the approvals system outlined below, will apply to activities within the Park. This is necessary to allow for continued commercial use and scientific research within the Park, where that activity is permitted, during the period while no management plan is in force.
After 24 September 2009 all people intending to undertake certain activities in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) must apply for an approval from the Director of National Parks. Under the interim management arrangements activities that are allowed to take place in the Park will remain unchanged (see Activity Table).
What is an approval?
An approval is a legal instrument under the EPBC Act that allows activities to occur in a Commonwealth marine reserve in the absence of a management plan for that reserve. The approval is issued by the Director of National Parks, or their delegate, who has statutory responsibility for the management of all Commonwealth reserves.
Who needs an approval?
All commercial tour operators, eligible commercial fishers and scientific researchers who wish to operate within the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) are required to apply for an approval.
Commercial vessel transit and recreational fishers will be covered by general approvals. Individual approvals will not be required for these activities.
What conditions are associated with the approval?
There are conditions associated with approvals to conduct activities within the Park. These conditions place certain requirements on activities undertaken in the Park. Failure to adhere to these conditions may result in variation or revocation of approvals.
How to apply for an approval
To apply for an approval to conduct activities within the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) you will need to complete an application form and return it to the Department. Application forms may be obtained by contacting the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) Reserve Manager on (02) 6274 1111 or email mpa@environment.gov.au.
Once you have been approved you will receive confirmation of your approval in the mail. This certificate should be kept on board your vessel and you must abide by the conditions of the Approval. If there are any changes to your application/registration details you must notify the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts within 14 days from when the change takes place.
Where can I find further assistance?
For further assistance please contact the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) Reserve Manager on:
Email: mpa@environment.gov.au
Phone: 02 6274 1111
Fax: 02 6274 1771
or phone the Lord Howe Island Marine Park State Manager on (02) 6563 2359.
Lord Howe Island, DEWHA
First management plan
The Lord Howe Island Marine Park was proclaimed on 21 June 2000 and the first Management Plan for the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) came into force on 25 September 2002. This management plan expired on 24 September 2009 and interim management arrangements will apply until a new management plan is in place.
Since declaration, the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the NSW Marine Parks Authority have developed formal arrangements under a Memorandum of Understanding for co-operative management of both the State and Commonwealth components of the marine park. Under this arrangement, Commonwealth and State Reserves are managed as far as possible as a single entity by the NSW Marine Parks Authority. The Commonwealth contributes funding for planning, management and research under an Annual Business Agreement with NSW.
The Commonwealth marine park complements the existing State marine park and World Heritage Area and extends protection to the deeper water environment, benthic habitats and its attendant flora and fauna.
The primary objective of the Park is to protect the seamount system and its conservation values of marine biodiversity, habitats and ecological processes. Such protection ensures the long-term maintenance of the high quality marine environment important to the Island's tourism industry, as well as the traditions and lifestyle of the local community.
The Park is divided into three zones:
- a habitat protection zone assigned to IUCN category IV - habitat species management area, and
- two Sanctuary Zones assigned to IUCN category Ia - strict nature reserve.
The two Sanctuary Zones are managed to exclude most activities except for scientific research and environmental monitoring. The primary objective is to protect a representative sample of the shelf, slope and deepwater environment.
In the Habitat Protection Zone, the Plan provides for ecologically sustainable recreational and commercial activities that are consistent with the strategic objectives of the Park.
Existing marine reserves
Commonwealth reserves under the EPBC Act
East Marine Region
- Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve
- Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve
- Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve
- Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters)
- Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)
- Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve