Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019

This is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019, a detailed set of rules that operationalise the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. Think of it as the 'rulebook' for how one of the world's largest marine protected areas is managed.

What it does:

• Defines activities like fishing, research, tourism, and boating, and sets limits on what can happen where
• Establishes zones with different rules—from General Use (more permissive) to Preservation Zone (highly restricted)
• Creates a permission system where businesses and individuals must apply to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to conduct commercial activities
• Protects wildlife by declaring protected species (whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, corals) and setting rules for interacting with them
• Regulates fishing through detailed rules on nets, hooks, and where fishing can occur
• Sets fees for applications and environmental management charges for tourism operators
• Provides for Traditional Owner agreements (TUMRAs) allowing Indigenous communities to manage traditional use of marine resources

Who it affects:

• Tourists and tourism operators
• Commercial and recreational fishers