Commonwealth marine reserves

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Murray Commonwealth Marine Reserve

Management

Network management plan

A management plan for the South-east 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 South-east Network will come into effect on 1 July 2013. Prior to the management plan coming into operation, interim management arrangements have been implemented.

Management arrangements for activities in Murray Commonwealth Marine Reserve

The Murray Commonwealth Marine Reserve is divided into three separate zones; sanctuary zone (IUCN category Ia), multiple use zone (IUCN category VI) and special purpose zone (IUCN category VI). The following table outlines activities allowed in the Murray Commonwealth Marine Reserve.

Legend
Tick - Allowed in zone
Cross - Not allowed in zone
R - Registration under an approval from the Director of National Parks is required before any commercial fishing vessel is allowed in the zones. Conditions apply to the approval. Contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for more information.
I - 'Individual approval' from the Director of National Parks is required. Each application will be assessed on a case by case basis. Contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for more information.
Activity Multiple use zone Special purpose zone Sanctuary zone
Recreational activities
Recreational fishing* Tick Tick Cross
Scuba diving & snorkeling Tick Tick Tick
Scientific research
Research and monitoring I I I
Commercial activities
Shipping Tick Tick Tick
Commercial tourism, including  dive/snorkel tours, nature watching I I I
Charter fishing I I Cross
Mining - Seismic survey Tick Tick Cross
Mining - Transit Tick Tick Tick
Mining - All other # I I Cross
Transiting in a commercial fishing vessel R R R
Commercial fishing (except fishing activities listed below R Cross Cross
Pelagic fishing1 R Cross Cross
Demersal trawl Cross Cross Cross
Danish seine Cross Cross Cross
Gillnetting (below 183m) Cross Cross Cross
Scallop dredging Cross Cross Cross
Footnotes
1 Pelagic fishing in this context is defined as fishing in the area from the sea surface to 500 metres below sea level.
* Recreational fishing is allowed under general approval from the Director of National Parks. Requires adherence to relevant State recreational fishing arrangements. No registration or application is required.
# Mining - as defined in s 355 of the Act - activities include oil and gas exploration and extraction, as well as geosequestration of carbon. Seismic survey and transit is allowed under general approval from the Director of National Parks. Conditions apply to the approval. Other mining activities are permitted in Multiple Use and Special Purpose Zones on a case by case assessment. Contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for more information.