Commonwealth marine reserves

South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network

Management

Interim management arrangements (current until a management plan comes into effect)

Prior to a formal management plan being in effect, interim arrangements are in place to ensure that the objectives of the reserves are met. It is a legal requirement that users of the reserve abide by the interim management arrangements.

The South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves were proclaimed by the Governor General on the 28th of June 2007 and came into effect on the 3rd of September 2007. It is the responsibility of the Director of National Parks to ensure that, when they come into effect, the reserves are effectively managed. Management arrangements must enable activities in the reserves to continue in a manner that is consistent with the reserve and zone IUCN categories.

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), during the period between proclamation of the reserves and the implementation of a management plan, approval from the Director of National Parks is required to allow existing commercial activities and activities that involve the taking of native species (fishing), that are consistent with the IUCN categories of the zones of the reserves, to legally continue. 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.

Accordingly, the Director has issued a number of different approvals for users of the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves. These approvals which came into effect on 3 September 2007, are outlined below.

Approvals for activities

Apply for approval to conduct activities within South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves

Approval application and information

Mining - Seismic survey and transit activities

Approval to conduct activities within South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves, July 2007

General approval from the Director of National Parks will be given to conduct seismic survey mining activities in the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network in accordance with EPBC Act Policy Statement 2.1 Interaction between offshore seismic exploration and whales issued by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. No registration or application is required.

General approval from the Director of National Parks will be given to vessels related to mining operations that are simply transiting reserves in the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network.

No registration or application is required.

Download the General Approval

Mining - All other mining activities within South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves

Approval application and information

You will need an individual approval from the Director of National Parks to conduct other mining activities (except for seismic surveys and transit operations) in the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network where a Prior Usage Right (under the EPBC Act) does not apply.

Consideration of proposed Class 2 operations will take into account the likely impact of the operation on the specific conservation values of the Commonwealth Reserve and whether it is consistent with the Australian IUCN Reserve Management Principles (set out in the EPBC Regulations) for the IUCN category to which the reserve or zone of the Reserve is assigned (by the reserve Proclamation).

A proposed mining operation may also be subject to the referral, assessment and approval provisions of Chapter 4 of the EPBC Act (Environment assessment process) where it is likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance or another matter protected by Chapter 2 of the Act. Read more about the EPBC environment assessment process

Each class 2 mining operations application will be assessed on a case by case basis and where appropriate will be approved under section 359B. These activities will only be allowed in multiple use and special purpose zones.

For further information about mining approvals please contact the South-east Region Manager on (02) 62741111.

Recreational activities

Approval of Non-Commercial Fishing in a South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve, 2012

Recreational fishing is allowed under general approval from the Director of National Parks, where the activity is consistent with the IUCN reserve management category and management principles for the zone, and provided that there is adherence to relevant State recreational fishing arrangements. No registration or application is required.

Other recreational activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling, is allowed in all zones within the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network.

No approval is required.

Download the General Approval

Scientific research activities

An approval or permit is required depending on activities to be undertaken.

For further information about scientific research approvals and permits please contact the South-east Region Manager on (02) 62741111.

Shipping (Commercial vessel transit)

Approval to conduct activities within South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves, July 2007

Shipping activities, or commercial vessel transit, does not include commercial fishing vessel transit. Shipping activities will be allowed under general approval from the Director of National Parks in the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network.

No registration or application is required.

Download the General Approval

Network management plan

The South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network Management Plan 2013-23 has been prepared in accordance with Section 368 of the EPBC Act and provides for consistency in the management of the reserves within the Network and across all the reserve networks. The management plan for the South-east Network will come into effect on 1 July 2013.

The Plan takes into account public comments received in relation to the Proclamation of the reserves as well as the responses received on the initial invitation to comment in February 2008. The draft Management Plan was available for public comment between 11 July and 27 August 2012.

The Plan provides the overarching framework for management of the South-east Network for a period of 10 years from the Plan's commencement. It is consistent with the intent and direction for establishing the reserves. The Plan addresses the requirements of the EPBC Act and associated regulations and provides flexibility to allow management arrangements to be adapted as needed through the life of the Plan.

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