When fishing the Great Barrier Reef, there are several legal requirements and zoning plans for the Marine Park. Making sure you are well within these legal limits and areas can keep you fishing throughout your stay in the Great Barrier Reef.
Marine Parks Legal Requirements
According to the Great Barrier Reef Park Authority, there is a set of fishing regulations in affect for fishing the great barrier reef.
- You must have a Marine Parks permit on your person to take, remove, gather, kill, possess, or attempt to take protected fish species while in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
- You must have a Marine Parks permit to be allowed to take or have up to five of the restricted fish species at any time while at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
- You are only allowed to discharge fresh fish parts if they were caught in the Park.
- You must adhere to the regulations regarding size limits, allowed species, bag limits, tackle restrictions, seasonal closures, area closures, and protected species assigned by Fisheries Queensland and the Department of Environment and Resource Management.
Zoning Plan Fishing Requirements
These are the zoning plans, by color, that have special requirements at the Great Barrier Reef. Those fishing should familiarize themselves with the different types of zoning so that they are fishing legally.
- Light Blue Zone - A general use zone that has a maximum of three lines per person for a maximum of six hooks in total.
- Dark Blue Zone - A habitat protection zone that has a maximum of three lines per person for a maximum of six hooks in total.
- Yellow Zone - A conservation park zone where there is one line with one hook limit per person.
- Olive Green Zone - A buffer zone where there is a maximum of three lines per person for a maximum of six hooks in total. Trolling can be for pelagic species only.
- Orange Zone - A scientific research zone where there is no fishing allowed.
- Dark Green Zone - A Marine National Park zone where there is no fishing allowed.
- Pink Zone - A preservation zone where there is no fishing allowed.
Keeping a Great Barrier Reef fishing trip legal is easy if you know the requirements and the zoning regulations. Never find yourself fishing in a pink zone believing it is a light blue zone. Always check in advance to make sure that you know what the specifications are.
Source:
Great Barrier Reef Park Authority
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
