New Whitsunday moorings to protect reef

Thirty new public moorings, and 17 associated reef protection markers, have been installed in the Whitsundays to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Representing an investment of $350,000, these small vessel moorings are located at strategic points on the reef to provide sustainable access to popular Whitsunday snorkelling sites.

Minister for the Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon said construction of the new moorings and markers started in June 2021 and was completed in October 2021.

“The Whitsundays now have more than 200 public moorings for use by recreational boaties, bareboat users and the marine tourism industry,” Minister Scanlon said.

“We are committed to doing all we can to protect the Great Barrier Reef, for the sake of the environment and to ensure sustainability for our reef-based tourism industry.

“Our investment in the new moorings is part of the Queensland Government’s $3.9 million ‘Reef Trails’ program to improve public access to the Great Barrier Reef.”

The Reef Trails program is creating internationally recognised “scenic drives by sea” taking in Queensland’s most iconic marine and island tourism destinations in the Whitsundays and Townsville areas.

New public moorings and no-anchoring areas are being installed as part of the program, to protect fringing coral reefs, provide sustainable access for boat users, and deliver a unique tourism experience through self-guided activities and access to reef islands.

“Fabrication and installation work for the new Whitsunday moorings were by Brisbane, Cairns, and Mackay-based companies, providing state and local employment, with ongoing maintenance planned to support local jobs in the commercial diving industry,” Ms Scanlon said.

Coral Sea Marina CEO, Kate Purdie, said they were pleased with the installation of the new moorings and reef protection markers.

“The Great Barrier Reef is our region’s premier natural asset, one of the great wonders of the world, and we need to do all we can to protect it,” Ms Purdie said.

“Our tourism industry depends on the reef remaining healthy and accessible, and the new moorings and protection markers will go some way towards achieving this.”

  The new moorings and reef protection markers were initiatives of the Department of Environment and Science’s Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, who work in partnership with the Commonwealth Government’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority as the Reef Joint Field Management Program.

Information about public moorings in the Whitsundays and across the Great Barrier Reef (including maps, GPS locations and vessel size classes) is available at www.qld.gov.au/environment/coasts-waterways/marine-parks/public-moorings-reef-protection-areas/public-moorings-and-reef-protection-area-maps/whitsundays-area .

Boaties can learn more about public moorings and responsible anchoring in the Great Barrier Reef at: https://youtu.be/vz4He7dG8Es.