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Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve (renamed)
Activities
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MARINE USERS
Transitional arrangements for renamed marine reserves
From the declaration of Commonwealth marine reserves in November 2012 until new management plans come into effect in July 2014, there will be no changes to management arrangements for the renamed Commonwealth marine reserves that existed prior to the establishment of the new reserves. This includes Marine National Nature Reserves and Marine Parks, whether they continue to exist as discrete reserves or have been incorporated into larger new reserves.
- Transitional arrangements involve NO CHANGE ON THE WATER for marine users.
- If you hold an existing approval to undertake activities within the renamed Commonwealth marine reserves (Ashmore Reef, Cartier Island, Ningaloo and Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserves), you are able to continue to operate under the terms of your existing approval.
- No additional administrative requirements apply.
Mermaid Reef Marine National Nature Reserve has been renamed Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve and forms part of the North-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network. Interim management arrangements apply until the management plan for the North-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network comes into effect.
This information is about the Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve only. For information on zoning and management arrangements in the Western Australian Rowley Shoals Marine Park refer to the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) website for Rowley Shoals Marine Park
Activities summary
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 approval (
), with approval (A) and those not allowed (
) in the Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve.
| Activity | Mermaid Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve |
|---|---|
| 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: Surfing, 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.