Former Coral Sea Conservation Zone
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MARINE USERS
Transitional arrangements for areas within former conservation zone
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 area within the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone.
- Transitional arrangements involve NO CHANGE ON THE WATER for marine users.
- If you hold an existing approval to undertake activities within the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone, you are able to continue to operate under the terms of your existing approval.
- No additional administrative requirements apply.
The former Coral Sea Conservation Zone has been included within the larger Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve. Transitional management arrangements apply until a management plan for the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve is in place.
Summary of former conservation zone
The environmental significance of the Coral Sea lies in its diverse array of coral reefs, sandy cays, deep sea plains and canyons, and the extent to which the region's natural and heritage values have remained relatively undisturbed by direct human impact.
Recent international studies have highlighted that the Coral Sea is one of the last remaining areas of the world's oceans where large-scale and biologically rich ecosystems remain relatively intact.
The Coral Sea also has important heritage significance, being the location of a number of historic shipwrecks and of major naval conflicts of World War II.
By declaring a conservation zone in the Coral Sea, the Australian Government demonstrated its commitment to protecting one of Australia's most biologically diverse and undisturbed marine environments.
Transitional management arrangements
Transitional arrangements for the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone
Transitional arrangements for the area of the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone will maintain the level of protection afforded to these areas by the previous conservation zone management arrangements.
Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), any activity in a marine reserve requires approval from the Director of National Parks in the period between proclamation of the reserves and the implementation of a management plan. This applies to existing commercial activities, including those that involve the taking of native species (fishing). This approval from the Director of National Parks is issued under section 359B of the EPBC Act. Approval can be given to both individuals and to classes of persons, and can be issued with or without conditions on the approved activity. Below are the general approvals relevant to the area of the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone.
Approvals
Activities allowed under general approvals
The general approvals that the Director of National Parks has issued for the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone are the same approvals that are in place for the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve as the area of the former conservation zone is encompassed in the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve.
The Director of National Parks has issued three general approvals for the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve (excluding those parts of the Reserve that are the areas of the former Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve and Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve). Separate approvals apply to actions in the areas of the former reserves.
Activities must be carried out in accordance to the conditions under the general approvals.
Commercial fishing, recreational (non-commercial) fishing and commercial vessel transit within the area of the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone
Commercial fishing, recreational (non-commercial) fishing and commercial vessel transit are allowed in the area of the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone in accordance with the general approval issued by the Director of National Parks.
- General approval - Approval of Actions (PDF - 98KB) | (Word - 114KB)
Commercial tourism within the area of the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone
Commercial tourism is allowed in the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone under general approval. No registration or application is required for existing approval holders. If you do not have an existing approval but wish to operate in the area of the former reserve please contact the department.
- General approval - Approval of Commercial Tourism (PDF - 94KB) | (Word - 119KB) (for existing permit holders only)
Scientific research within the area of the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone
Scientific research is allowed in the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone under general approval. No registration or application is required for existing approval holders. If you do not have an existing approval but wish to operate in the area of the former reserve please contact the department.
- General approval - Approval of Scientific Research (PDF - 94KB) | (Word - 119KB) (for existing permit holders only)
Any other activities
Recreational activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling, are allowed in the area of the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone.
An approval or permit may be required for some activities. For example, individual approval is required for scientific research within the former reserve if it was not approved under a permit issued for the former Coral Sea Conservation Zone. For further information please contact the department.
Other approvals may also be required under Part 13 of the EPBC Act.
Management plan
A management plan for the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve has been developed in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This plan provides for the protection and conservation of the reserve by setting out how it will be managed, what activities will be allowed or prohibited and how this will be done. The management plan will address key aspects of management over the life of the plan (10 years). The management plan for the Coral Sea reserve will come into effect on 1 July 2014.
Transitional management arrangements apply until the management plan for the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve is in effect.
