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Marine Protected Areas
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The activities allowed in the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network are based on a system of zones which permit and restrict certain activities. Five different zones are used in the network - 42% of the total area is sanctuary zone managed primarily for scientific research, monitoring and where appropriate, passive uses. 36% of the network is special purpose zone closed to commercial fishing. 21% of the network is classified multiple use where low-impact fishing methods and other activities are permitted. The remaining area is made up of two specialised zones called the benthic sanctuary zone and the recreational use zone. All Commonwealth marine reserves are managed primarily for biodiversity conservation.
Below is a list of the different kinds of zones and what is permitted within them.
Sanctuary Zone (IUCN Ia) - No commercial or recreational fishing or mining activities are permitted. The area can only be used for scientific research and passive recreational activities. Vessel transit is allowed.
Benthic Sanctuary Zone (IUCN Ia) - Some commercial and recreational fishing is permitted. However no fishing or other extractive use in the area from 500 metres below sea level to 100 metres beneath the seabed is allowed.
Recreational Use Zone (IUCN II) - This zone allows for recreational and charter fishing if carried out in accordance with the relevant State fishing arrangements. It prohibits commercial fishing and mining activities.
Special Purpose Zone (IUCN VI) - Recreational fishing and mining activities are permitted. Charter fishing may be permitted providing the operator has applied for an approval from the Director of National Parks. Each application will be assessed on a case by case basis. Applications can be obtained by contacting the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. No commercial fishing is allowed in this zone.
Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI) - Recreational fishing and mining activities are allowed. Some forms of commercial fishing, excluding demersal trawl, Danish seine, gill netting (below 183m) and scallop dredge, are allowed providing the operator has registered under the approval from the Director of National Parks and abides by the conditions of the approval. Registration forms can be obtained from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 - Allowed in zone |
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 - Not allowed in zone |
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| R - Registration under an approval from the Director of National Parks is required before any commercial fishing vessel is allowed in the zones. Conditions apply to the approval. Contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for more information. | |||||
| I - 'Individual approval' from the Director of National Parks is required. Each application will be assessed on a case by case basis. Contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for more information. | |||||
| Activity | Multiple use zone | Special purpose zone | Recreational use zone | Benthic sanctuary zone | Sanctuary zone |
| Recreational activities | |||||
| Recreational fishing * | |
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pelagic only |
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| Scuba diving and snorkelling | |
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| Scientific research | |||||
| Research and monitoring | I | I | I | I | I |
| Commercial activities | |||||
| Shipping | |
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| Tourism - including dive/snorkel tours, nature watching | I | I | I | I | I |
| Charter fishing | I | I | I | I pelagic only |
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| Mining - Seismic survey # | |
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| Mining - Transit # | |
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| Mining - All other # | I | I | |
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| Transiting in a commercial fishing vessel | R | R | R | R | R |
| Commercial fishing (except fishing activities listed below) | R | |
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| Pelagic fishing 1 | R | |
|
R | |
| Demersal trawl | |
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| Danish seine | |
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| Gillnetting (below 183m) | |
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| Scallop dredging | |
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| Footnotes | |||||
| 1. Pelagic fishing in this context is defined as fishing in the area from the sea surface to 500 metres below sea level. | |||||
| * Recreational fishing is allowed under general approval from the Director of National Parks. Requires adherence to relevant State recreational fishing arrangements. No registration or application is required. | |||||
| # Mining - as defined in s 355 of the Act - activities include oil and gas exploration and extraction, as well as geosequestration of carbon. Seismic survey and transit is allowed under general approval from the Director of National Parks. Conditions apply to the approval. Other mining activities are permitted in Multiple Use and Special Purpose Zones on a case by case assessment. Contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for more information. | |||||
