Great Sandy Marine Park provisions table – information current until 20 May 2024
A new zoning plan for the Great Sandy Marine Park will be effective from 21 May 2024. Read an overview of the changes and how to keep informed. This page will also be updated with further information before it commences.
| Entry and use provisions | General use zone | Habitat protection zone | Conservation park zone | Buffer zone | Marine national park zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bait netting | Yes9 | Yes9 | Yes9 | NoA | NoA |
| Aquaculture | Permit | Permit | Permit | NoA | NoA |
| Crabbing | Yes9 | Yes9 | Yes 2,9 | NoA | NoA |
| Bait gathering | Yes9 | Yes9 | Yes9 | NoA | NoA |
| Line fishing | Yes 4,9 | Yes 4,9 | Yes 5,9 | NoA | NoA |
| Limited collecting | Yes 3,9 | Yes 3,9 | Yes 3,9 | NoA | NoA |
| Limited spearfishing (snorkel only) | Yes9 | Yes9 | Yes9 | NoA | NoA |
| Traditional use of marine resources | Yes 6 | Yes 6 | Yes 6 | Yes 6 | Yes 6 |
| Trolling | Yes 4,9 | Yes 4,9 | Yes 4,9 | Yes 4,7,9 | No A |
| Commercial netting (other than bait netting) | Yes9 | Yes9 | No8,9 | NoA | NoA |
| Harvest fishing for aquarium fish, coral and beachworm | Permit 1 | Permit 1 | Permit | NoA | NoA |
| Harvest fishing for sea cucumber, trochus, tropical rock lobster | Permit 1 | Permit 1 | No | NoA | NoA |
| Trawling | Yes9 | No | No | NoA | NoA |
| Entry and use provisions | General use zone | Habitat protection zone | Conservation park zone | Buffer zone | Marine national park zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boating, diving, photography | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Research (other than limited impact) | Permit | Permit | Permit | Permit | Permit |
| Shipping (other than in a designated shipping area) | Yes | Permit | Permit | Permit | Permit |
| Tourism program | Permit | Permit | Permit | Permit | Permit |
This table is to be used as a guide only. Refer to the Marine Parks (Great Sandy) Zoning Plan 2017 for complete regulations.
Notes on entry and use provisions – information current until 20 May 2024
A. All fishing equipment must be stowed and secured prior to entering a buffer or green zone.
- other than accredited harvest fishery
- limited to 4 catch devices (e.g. crab pots or dillies) per person
- by hand or hand-held implement
- maximum of 3 lines/rods per person with a combined total of 6 hooks
- limited to 1 line/rod per person and 1 hook/lure per line (except the Great Sandy Designated Area which is as per note 4).
- Activities that are not "as of right" in the zone, or that involve the take or protected species require either a permit or a Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement.
- pelagic species only
- Commercial fishers holding Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry endorsements can continue commercial fishing activities within the Great Sandy Designated Area.
- All fishing activities must comply with the restrictions or conditions placed upon them by the Fisheries Act and Regulation.
Note: Permits are required for most other activities not listed above. Designated Areas may provide additional restrictions at some locations. The zoning plan does not affect the operation of s.2.11 of the Native Title Act 1993.
Designated areas
Great Sandy Designated Area – information current until 20 May 2024
The Great Sandy Designated Area recognises the importance of commercial and recreational fishing by allowing for commercial net, line and beam trawl (in the Mary River only) fishing and recreational fishing at 3 lines/rods per person with a combination of 6 hooks.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.