Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve
Activity management
Prohibition on fishing and removal of wildlife
All forms of collecting,* recreational and commercial fishing and removal of wildlife are prohibited at Mermaid.
The following table outlines activities allowed without authorisation (
), with authorisation (A) and those not allowed (
) at Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve (Mermaid).
| Activity | Mermaid Reef |
|---|---|
| General Access | |
| Commercial Activities | |
| Fishing (including collecting*) | |
| Filming and photography | A |
| Tourism and charters | A |
| Other commercial activities | |
| Recreational Activities | |
| Scuba diving and snorkelling | |
| Fishing | |
| Scientific Research | A |
Note: Scurfing, water skiing, jet skiing and other such activities involving personal water craft should not be undertaken at Mermaid. Visitors should not feed fish or any other wildlife at Mermaid.
*Collecting refers to the collection of any object, animal or plant including coral, shells and sedentary species such as sea cucumbers.
How to apply for authorisation
To apply for authorisation please contact the Mermaid Reserve Manager on (02) 6274 1111 or email mpa@environment.gov.au
Applications for authorisation to conduct activities at Mermaid are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please allow a minimum of 28 days for processing.
What is authorisation?
Authorisation allows identified activities that would otherwise be prohibited to occur at Mermaid. Authorisations are legal instruments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 and are issued by the Director of National Parks, or his delegate. Authorisation may take the form of an approval or a permit.
Who needs authorisation?
All commercial tour operators and researchers who wish to operate at Mermaid are required to apply for an authorisation.
What conditions are associated with authorisation?
There are conditions associated with authorisations to conduct activities at Mermaid. These conditions place certain requirements on activities undertaken at Mermaid. Failure to adhere to these conditions may result in variation or revocation of authorisation.
Independent visitors
Independent visitors do not need authorisation to visit Mermaid, however they should:
- contact the Mermaid Reserve Manager prior to their visit (02 6274 1111)
- book a mooring (see Mooring and anchoring below)
- consider the draught of their vessel and the relatively shallow lagoon entry. Vessels with a draught up to 2 metres are able to enter safely on any tide, up to 3 metres are able to enter safely at a tide of 2 metres or more and over 3 metres should not enter the lagoon for safety reasons
- be aware that Mermaid is a very remote, exposed location and so should be adequately prepared for their visit to the reserve.
Mooring and anchoring
Four moorings have been installed at Mermaid for visitor use. These should be booked through the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, Broome Office (08 9195 5500). For safety reasons, visitors should follow the rules and restrictions noted on the mooring tags. In particular, note that moorings are certified for use in winds up to 40 knots only.
xxx Map of mooring locations.
xxx It is an offence for any person to anchor outside the designated anchorage area. To protect Mermaid's fragile features such as coral, visitors should only anchor in the designated anchorage area if all the moorings are being used.
Shipwreck
The shipwreck, located on the western side of Mermaid Reef, is protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 as being of historic significance. It is an offence for any person to damage, interfere with, dispose of or remove any part of the historic shipwreck without authorisation.
Also in this section
Existing Commonwealth reserves under the EPBC Act
Marine protected areas
Temperate East Marine Region
- 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
Coral Sea
- Coral Sea Conservation Zone
- Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve
- Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve
North-west Marine Region
- Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve
and
Cartier Island Marine Reserve - Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve
- Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)