Former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MARINE USERS
Transitional arrangements for areas within former 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 area within the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve.
- Transitional arrangements involve NO CHANGE ON THE WATER for marine users.
- If you hold an existing approval to undertake activities within the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve, you are able to continue to operate under the terms of your existing approval.
- No additional administrative requirements apply.
The former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve 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 reserve
| Original proclamation date | 16 August 1982, now included within the new Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve |
|---|---|
| Area | 8437 km2 |
| Types of zoning | Former Sanctuary Zone - IUCN Category Ia |
| Management plan status | Expired 4 September 2008, transitional management arrangements apply |
The area of the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve is located in the Coral Sea, some 630 kilometres east south-east of Cairns. It comprises 8437 km2 with a horseshoe shaped reef system containing 18 cays.
Activities
The following table outlines activities allowed without an Approval (
), allowed with a general approval in accordance with conditions (GA), allowed with an approval or a permit (A) or not allowed (
) in the area of the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve.
| Activity | Former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve |
|---|---|
| General Access | |
| Commercial Activities | |
| Fishing (including collecting) | |
| Filming and Photography | A |
| Tourism and Charters1 | A |
| Other Commercial Activities | |
| Commercial vessel transit | GA |
| Recreational Activities | |
| Scuba diving & snorkelling | |
| Camping | |
| Fishing (including collecting) | |
| Scientific Research | A |
NOTE:
1 Charter fishing is not allowed.
Transitional management arrangements
Transitional arrangements for the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve
Transitional arrangements for the area of the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve will maintain the level of protection afforded to this area by the previous 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).
The 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 Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve.
Approvals
General approvals - activities allowed under general approvals
Commercial vessel transit within the area of the former Lihou National Nature Reserve
Commercial vessel transit is allowed under general approval in the area of the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve.
Any other activities
Recreational activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling, are allowed in the area of the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve.
Individual approval from the Director of National Parks is required to conduct commercial tourism activities (including charters not involving fishing activities) in the area of former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve.
An approval or permit may be required for some other activities. For example, individual approval is required for scientific research within the former reserve.
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.
Former management plan
The second management plan for the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve was managed under a joint management plan with the nearby Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve . This management plan expired on 4 September 2008. Transitional management arrangements apply until a new management plan is in place for the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve.
Maps
Click on map to view a larger image
Download reserve map
Contact
Commonwealth Marine Reserves Branch
Parks Australia
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Edgar Waite Building
203 Channel Highway
Kingston TAS 7050
or
Email: marinereserves@environment.gov.au
Phone: 1800 069 352