Great Sandy Marine Park zoning changes take effect, new QPWS vessel in production

• A range of zoning and management changes within the Great Sandy Marine Park have taken effect today.
• The proportion of marine national park (green) zones has increased from 3.9 per cent to 12.8 per cent, with 28.5 per cent of the marine park now within highly protected zones (green and yellow zones).
• The changes help protect the iconic and threatened species that call the park home while supporting nature-based tourism and recreational fishing sectors.
• Financial assistance is available for the commercial fishing sector directly impacted by the re-zoning.

Zoning and management changes aimed at further protecting the Great Sandy Marine Park’s unique habitats, while supporting enhanced nature-based tourism and recreational fishing, have come into effect today (May 21).

The zoning changes include:

• marine national park (green) zones, where fishing and collecting are prohibited, has increased from 3.9 per cent of the park’s total area to 12.8 per cent
• increased highly protected designated areas such as Go-Slow areas to better protect the area’s threatened marine species such as turtles, dugongs, shorebirds and grey nurse sharks
• the removal of commercial large mesh gill and ring netting from the yellow conservation park zones within Baffle Creek, Elliott River, Burrum River system, the Great Sandy Strait and Tin Can Inlet.

To further support tourism and recreational fishing in the Wide Bay region, the Miles Government will invest in new and enhanced boat ramps and artificial reefs in the region.

Feedback gathered during the consultation period indicated strong support for the majority of changes to the marine park zones and designated areas.

To help community get ready for the changes, a suite of educational resources has been rolled out in recent weeks, including local signage and advertising, emails to community subscribers and key stakeholders, website updates comprising a summary of key changes and updated maps and social media and blog content.

The zoning and management changes deliver on the Miles Government’s commitment to protect threatened marine species and habitats while supporting regional economies by improving the marine park’s management.

The commercial fishing sector will still be able to provide fresh, local seafood and bait through high-value trawl, ocean beach netting, crab and line fishing, with tunnel netting and set pocket netting maintained in limited areas of the park.

However, the government has acknowledged there will be an impact on some commercial fishers in the region and financial support is available through the Queensland Fisheries Structural Adjustment Scheme, which is administered through the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority.

Coinciding with the introduction of the revised zones, production of a new vessel to be used by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to patrol the marine park has started.

The Miles Government is investing $2.65 million for the new 12-metre vessel, which will replace the ‘CH Thompson,’ which has been in service since 2008.

The yet-to-be-named vessel will be built using composite construction, which significantly reduces the amount of embodied energy to construct (compared to aluminium) and will feature a new Volvo IPS propulsion system that emits lower carbon emissions.

Brisbane-based shipbuilders, Norman R. Wright & Sons, are building the new, more environmentally friendly vessel.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation, Leanne Linard:

“The Great Sandy Marine Park is yet another example of the amazing marine locations we have in our very own backyard.

“The park is home to coral reefs, species of international and national conservation significance such as shorebirds, grey nurse sharks, turtles and dugongs and important seagrass meadows and mangrove communities.

“Our Labor Government made a commitment to increase protections for the marine park so it could be enjoyed for generations to come, and we have delivered on that commitment.

“The changes we are making will help protect the exceptional marine biodiversity while enhancing tourism and recreational fishing in the Wide Bay Burnett Region.

“We consulted extensively as part of the review process and found most Queenslanders want enhanced protections for the Great Sandy Strait and marine park as a whole, valuing the unique environment adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef and K’gari and the benefits it brings to the local economy.

“The area is also one of deep cultural and spiritual importance to local First Nations peoples, who have made significant contributions to the zoning review process.

“The new 12m vessel will be used by our marine park rangers to patrol and protect the Great Sandy Marine Park.

“It will be an important tool for rangers in ensuring visitors to the marine park are doing the right thing, infrastructure in the park is safe and maintained, and the natural habitat is provided with the protection it deserves.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Hervey Bay, Adrian Tantari:

“The Great Sandy Marine Park is the jewel in the crown of the Fraser Coast Region, and it is much-loved by locals and tourists alike.

“This marine park needed a plan to protect its integrity for generations to come. A decision had to be taken and I thank the government for acting and listening to all stakeholders to deliver a plan for the marine park’s future.

“I want the zoning and management changes to be a prelude to our region becoming an international hub for marine scientific research, education and recreation.

Quotes attributable to Member for Maryborough, Bruce Saunders:

“Locals and visitors love to take to the waters of the Great Sandy Marine Park to fish and enjoy everything the park has to offer.

“We saw with the re-zoning of the Moreton Bay Marine Park that increasing protections leads to an increase in fish stocks and larger fish being caught, which will add to the excitement of recreational fishers.  

“Our government’s investment in new and enhanced boat ramps and artificial reefs will also add to the enjoyment of getting out on the water for locals and visitors.”

Further information:

The Great Sandy Marine Park is in the Wide Bay-Burnett Region and extends from Double Island Point in the south to Baffle Creek in the north.

The marine park includes Hervey Bay, the Great Sandy Strait, Tin Can Inlet and Queensland coastal waters.

The Great Sandy Marine Park surrounds the K’gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area and is an area of exceptionally high natural and cultural value, including:

• the Great Sandy Strait—a Ramsar Wetland of International Significance
• Species of international and national significance—marine turtles, dugongs, grey nurse sharks, humpback whales, Australian humpback dolphins and migratory shorebirds.
• Eleven declared Fish Habitat Areas protecting key fish habitats to support the state’s recreational and commercial fisheries.
• Culturally and spiritually significant sea Country for the Butchulla, Bailai (Byellee), Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda, and Kabi Kabi First Nations peoples.

For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/greatsandymarinepark

ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339