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Ashmore 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.
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve has been renamed Ashmore 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.
Activities summary
Prohibitions on Public Access
The area of Ashmore Commonwealth Marine Reserve that is assigned the IUCN category Ia is closed to the public. Limited access is permitted to West Island Lagoon and to a small part of West Island.
The following table outlines activities allowed without approval (
), allowed with a general approval (GA), allowed with approval (A) or not allowed (
) at Ashmore Commonwealth Marine Reserve.
| Activity* | Area open to the public (IUCN II Zones) | Areas closed to the public (IUCN Ia zones) |
|---|---|---|
| West Island Lagoon, east beach and central corridor of West Island (see map) | Majority of Ashmore Reserve (including Middle & East Islands) | |
| General Access | |
A |
| Commercial Activities | ||
| Fishing (including collecting#) | |
|
| Filming and Photography | A | A |
| Tourism and Charters | A | A |
| Other Commercial Activities | |
|
| Recreational Activities | ||
| Scuba diving & snorkelling |
|
|
| Fishing | GA** | |
| Scientific Research | A | A |
* Camping and lighting fires is not allowed in any part of the reserve. |
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