Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas

Permits

Some activities may only be undertaken under a permit issued by the Director of National Parks. Activities that can only be undertaken under a permit will vary from reserve to reserve but typically include:

Certain circumstances must be met before the Director can issue a permit for an activity in a Commonwealth marine reserve. These circumstances include that the activity is consistent with the management plan for the reserve (if there is a plan in force), or if no management plan is in force, that the activity is consistent with the purposes for which the reserve is declared. Other circumstances include that the activity is not likely to:

The management plan of each marine protected area generally specifies if a permit is required in order to carry out a particular activity.

Determinations

Under the EPBC Regulations the Director can make a determination to determine or decide specific circumstances which apply to certain activities in a Commonwealth reserve, including in relation to:

In making such a determination the Director may take into account, among other things, whether the activity might:

A determination by the Director must be published in the Government Gazette. Additional publication requirements may also be required under the EPBC Regulations.

Existing Commonwealth reserves under the EPBC Act

Marine protected areas

Temperate East Marine Region

Coral Sea

North-west Marine Region

South-east Marine Region

South-west Marine Region