· Great • Reef Marine Park Authoiity LAw Bu •

Issue Number 18 SPEARFISHING IN GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK Where am I allowed to spearfish? Seasonal Closure Areas You may spearfish in all gerieral use zones in the Seasonal Closure Areas are areas closed to all access Marine Park, and in all non-zoned sections of the during the breeding or nesting periods of birds or Marine Park. You should note that some Queensland other marine life. The closure of these areas is waters are closed to spearfishing - there are details advertised. of those areas in the Queensland Harbours ahd What equipment can I use? Marine Tide Tables. You may only spearfish using a snorkel and a hand Where am I NOT allowed to spearfish? spear or speargun. You may not use any other You may not spearfish in Marine National Park 'A', underwater breathing equipment (such as scuba or Marine National Park Buffer and Marine National hookah) and you may only use a powerhead for Park 'B' Zones, nor in Scientific Research or protection against a shark attack. Preservation Zones. You also may not spearfish in areas where periodic restrictions are in operation. Can I sell fish I spear? These areas may be Replenishment Areas, Reef Spearfishing for the purpose of sale or trade is not Appreciation Areas, Reef Research Areas or Seasonal allowed in the Marine Park, with one exception, in Closure Areas. the Far Northern Section of the Marine Park it is permitted to spear crayfish for purposes of sale or Replenishment Areas trade (you can also use scuba or hookah in this A Replenishment Area is an area closed for a circumstance - but only for crayfish). To spear specified period to all activities, including spear­ crayfish for sale or trade in the Far Northern Section fishing, that take living resources from the Marine you must have a commercial fishing licence. Park. The only activity allowed in a closed Replenish­ ment Area is trolling for pelagic mackerel species Where can I find out more? during specific periods. 1. For information on the zones in the Marine Park refer to a zoning plan or activity guide for the area Reef Appreciation Areas to be visited - copies can be obtained from Reef Appreciation Areas are small areas of reefs offices of the GBRMPA or Regional offices of the where all extractive activities are prohibited to protect Q.NPWS. the· areas in their natural state. These areas are widely 2. There are penalties of up to $5000 for offences advertised and usually marked. relating to spearfishing in the Marine Park. Reef Research Areas Offenders have already been fined up to $1 000 Reef Research Areas are small areas closed to plus court costs. extractive activities to protect research projects. These areas are usually marked.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Regional Offices of Q.NPWS 12A Abbott Street P.O. Box 1379 CAIRNS QLD 4870 TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810 Phone (070) 51 9811 Phone (077) 81 8811 Marlow Street Pallarenda QUEENSLAND TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810 NATIONAL ~RKS Phone (077) 741411 AND WILDLIFE 194 Quay Street SERVICE ROCKHAMPTON QLD 4700 Maritime Estate Management Branch Phone (079) 27 6511 P.O. Box 190 NORTH QUAY QLD 4000 Roseberry Street Phone (07) 227 4860 GLADSTONE QLD 4680 Phone (079) 761620