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Ningaloo Commonwealth Marine Reserve (renamed)
Management
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.
Interim management arrangements
Interim management arrangements under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for the Ningaloo Commonwealth Marine Reserve commenced on 3 July 2009 following the expiry of the most recent management plan. The interim management arrangements will continue unchanged until the North-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network management plan comes into effect.
Approvals
In the Ningaloo Commonwealth Marine Reserve commercial vessel transit and recreational fishing are allowed under general approvals. Individual approvals are not required for these activities.
General approvals - activities allowed under general approvals
Approval of Non-Commercial Fishing in Ningaloo Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Recreational fishers must hold all relevant licenses and permits required and comply with the legal lengths, catch limits, permitted gear and other requirements that apply to marine recreational fishing under the WA Fish Resources Management Act 1994 and relevant regulations, policies, plans, notices and orders made under that Act. Please contact the WA Department of Fisheries or see the WA Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 for further information.
Please note that no collecting is allowed.
This approval remains in effect until 1 July 2014 unless it is revoked sooner.
- Approval of non-commercial fishing in Ningaloo Commonwealth Marine Reserve (PDF - 260 KB) | (RTF - 4,298 KB)
Approval of Commercial Vessel Transit in Ningaloo Commonwealth Marine Reserve
This approval remains in effect until 30 June 2014 unless it is revoked sooner.
- Approval of commercial vessel transit in Ningaloo Commonwealth Marine Reserve (PDF - 97 KB) | (RTF - 624 KB)
Any other activities
An approval or permit may be required for some additional activities (for example, scientific research; commercial tourism operations). For further information please contact the department.
Other approvals may also be required under Part 13 of the EPBC Act.
Information for visitors
Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) - Information for visitors describes the management arrangements for the renamed Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) and provides advice on how visitors, and other users of Ningaloo, should meet their obligations under the management arrangements.
Management plan
Approvals
General approval
The Director of National Parks has issued a general approval for all new areas added to the Commonwealth marine reserve estate in the North-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network.
Activities must be carried out in accordance to the conditions under the general approval.
Management plan
A management plan for the North-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network 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 each 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 North-west Network will come into effect on 1 July 2014.
Former management plan
The former management plan for the Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) expired on 2 July 2009. Transitional arrangements apply until the new management plan for the North-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network comes into effect.
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