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Marine Protected Areas
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This is the second management plan prepared for the Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve
Director of National Parks, 2006
© Commonwealth of Australia 2006
The Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve (the 'Reserve') was declared on 23 December 1987 by proclamation under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975. It is now protected and managed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
This second Management Plan for the Reserve (the Plan) has been drafted by staff of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts on behalf of the Director of National Parks in consultation with interested groups and individuals. The Plan takes into account public comments received in response to the initial invitation to comment in October 2002 and on the draft Plan issued in August 2005.
The Reserve is part of the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA). The primary goal of the NRSMPA is to establish and manage a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine protected areas in order to contribute to the long-term ecological viability of marine ecosystems, and maintain ecological processes to protect Australia's biological diversity at all levels.
The Plan has been prepared in accordance with the EPBC Act. As required by the Act, the Plan assigns an Australian IUCN (World Conservation Union) category to the Reserve. The category assigned to the Reserve is 'strict nature reserve' to be managed primarily in accordance with the Australian IUCN reserve management principles prescribed by the regulations under the EPBC Act. The Plan provides for the protection and conservation of the Reserve and states how the Reserve will be managed.
This Plan divides the Reserve into two zones. A highly protected 'Sanctuary Zone' around and to the south of Middleton Reef will be managed for research and monitoring and appropriate public access (visitors may access this zone but no fishing of any kind will be allowed). The waters around Elizabeth Reef will be managed as a 'Habitat Protection Zone' for research, monitoring and recreational access and fishing. To access this zone or to carry out recreational fishing, a permit under the EPBC Act will be required. Permits will be available on Lord Howe Island and will be issued for the duration of the Plan. Permit holders will be required to provide a brief report on their uses and activities in the reserve following each visit. Recreational fishing will also be subject to New South Wales fishing regulations, including fishing methods, size and bag limits and protected species.
The Plan recognises the long-standing relationship between the Lord Howe Island community and the Reserve - Elizabeth Reef in particular. The Plan provides for ongoing access - now and in the future. It acknowledges the importance of working cooperatively with the community and the valuable stewardship role that the community has taken on to help protect the conservation values of the Reefs.
The Plan also describes the conservation and cultural values of the Reserve, the pressures on these values, and a detailed management regime to ensure these values are protected. A framework is provided for compliance and enforcement of regulations and to assess management effectiveness.
The Plan, as for all management plans for a Commonwealth reserve, has effect for seven years, unless revoked or amended earlier by another management plan. The Plan may only be altered following the same statutory and consultative process used in its preparation.