Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

November 13, 2023
Andrew Noe
Uncategorized

About Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

The State marine park known as the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (GBR Coast MP) spans the entire length of the Commonwealth Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP), extending from a location just north of Baffle Creek (north of Bundaberg) to Cape York. Its purpose is to safeguard the tidal lands and waters of Queensland. The GBR Coast MP actively advocates for implementing a well-rounded zoning system within the GBRMP. This system aims to safeguard the remarkable biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef while maintaining opportunities for the utilization and exploration of the marine park.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) protects and cares for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It employs various methods to manage the park, such as implementing Acts and Regulations, creating zoning plans, developing management plans, forming agreements with traditional owners, establishing partnerships, promoting stewardship and best practices, and conducting education, research, monitoring, and reporting. GBRMPA also issues permits for different activities in the marine park and ensures that these activities comply with the park’s regulations. Funding for GBRMPA comes from the Commonwealth Government and an environmental management charge imposed on permit-holder passengers, currently set at A$6.00 per day per passenger (with a maximum of $16.50 per trip). In May 2022, the Darumbal people were officially acknowledged as the traditional custodians of a vast ocean area spanning 36,606 km2 (14,134 sq mi) along the Central Queensland Coast. This recognition marked the largest Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA) on the reef. It partnered with GBRMPA, Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science, and the Darumbal people. A ceremony was held on the beach at Emu Park to commemorate this milestone.

What to do at About Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is a vast protected area that safeguards many of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef from harmful activities. This multiple-use Marine Park supports various uses such as commercial marine tourism, fishing, ports and shipping, recreation, scientific research, and Indigenous traditional use. To ensure the preservation of the ecosystem, strict regulations are in place for fishing and the removal of artefacts or wildlife. Additionally, commercial shipping traffic is required to adhere to specific defined routes that avoid the most delicate areas of the park. Renowned as the largest and most renowned coral reef ecosystem globally, the Great Barrier Reef consists of nearly 3000 reefs, accounting for approximately 10 per cent of all coral reef areas worldwide. It showcases an astonishing diversity of biodiversity, providing habitats for countless species, including coral, invertebrates, bony fish, sharks, rays, marine mammals, marine turtles, sea snakes, algae, and other marine plants.

The marine park along the northern coast of Queensland, extending to Cape York, excludes rivers, creeks, and estuaries. It also stops at the outer limits of important mangrove forests, such as Port Clinton, Burdekin River, and Cape York Rivers. The GBR Coast MP aligns with the GBRMP regarding zone objectives and entry and use provisions for most zones. However, the Estuarine Conservation Zones within the GBR Coast MP are unique. While the activities allowed in the GBR Coast MP and GBRMP are generally the same, specific regulations may apply to Queensland.