Code of Conduct, Abrolhos Islands Visitors Guide, Department of Fisheries, Western Australia

Many species of seabirds breed at the Abrolhos Islands throughout the year. Be aware of seasonal bird breeding times and areas, and avoid visiting such sites.
Particular care should be taken in sandy areas, lagoons and mangroves, as these are seabird-breeding sites. Avoid walking through these areas.
Take particular care on seabird islands at the following sensitive times: late afternoon, early evening and during the hottest part of the day, during wet and/or cold weather, on moonlit nights, and when nests contain eggs and chicks.

Allow seabirds to nest and roost undisturbed. Stressed birds desert their nests, leaving eggs and chicks exposed and unprotected.
Keep at least 50 metres from seabird colonies and occupied nests, taking care not to touch or crush eggs, chicks and nests. Stop approaching if birds show signs of distress, such as raucous calling or swooping.
Keep loud noises, sudden movements and the use of lights at night to a minimum near bird colonies.

View wildlife from a distance (especially sea lions and seabirds), preferably from a boat. Hand feeding and direct contact with the unique wildlife populations of the Abrolhos can be harmful, and cause distress and changes in behaviour.
Always leave a clear unobstructed route between sea lions and the water when approaching resting sea lions on land.
Leave all wildlife where it is found, including live shells, fossils and corals. Collecting damages the health of the islands' ecosystems and is prohibited without a licence.
Avoid handling or touching sea creatures as many fish, molluscs, urchins and anemones have venomous spines or stinging nematocysts that can cause symptoms ranging from minor irritation to paralysis and heart failure.

Be cautious when approaching the animal. Gather information on the severity, location and type of injury.
Contact the Department of Environment and Conservation (Geraldton office). See here for the phone number. Department of Fisheries staff may also be able to assist.

No camping, fires, firearms or pets are allowed at the Abrolhos Islands.
Take all your rubbish away with you.
Keep to existing tracks, and to beaches and rocky shorelines, to avoid damaging vegetation and bird-breeding areas.
Check for seeds and spores on shoes before landing to prevent the introduction of exotic plants.

Use public moorings where available to avoid the use of anchors and chains, which can damage coral reefs and seagrass beds.
When moorings are not available, anchor in areas of sand and mud bottom and avoid reefs and seagrass areas.
Know your vessel's draught and your limits in the shallows. Use current charts and navigational aids, where available, to prevent impact and propeller damage to reefs.
Keep the waters clean. Sullage tanks should be emptied at sea a kilometre or more from land, including islands.
Remove and store all hard waste and dispose of it appropriately at your nearest port.

Take no more fish than for your immediate needs, as fish has a short freezer life. Return unneeded and undersized fish to the water, quickly and with care.
Know and keep to recreational fishing seasonal, bag, size and possession limits.
Be aware of the boundaries and fishing restrictions that apply within the Reef Observation Areas (see map for locations).
Do not feed fish. Observe the fish of the Abrolhos without disturbing their feeding patterns.
Dispose of waste from fish cleaning outside anchorage areas. Fish offal dumped off jetties and moored boats encourages yellowtail king fish and samson fish to feed and can trigger unwanted changes in their behaviour.

Observe the reefs without impact. Do not rest or stand on corals and fragile marine life.
Control your buoyancy to prevent contact and damage to corals and marine life.
Be aware of your fins to prevent careless kicks from breaking corals and stirring up the sediment.
Secure loose dive equipment to prevent it dragging across corals.
Leave live shells, reef fish and animals as they are. Learn about the underwater environment so that you can better appreciate it.

Fishing industries

Be aware of fishing industry activities and sites. Avoid contact with pots, lines and aquaculture farms. Report any equipment damaged to the Department of Fisheries' Geraldton District Office.
Remove fish hooks from ropes if they become entangled, or mark entangled ropes or floats to avoid creating a safety hazard.
Take care when diving. Always fly the dive flag so it is easily visible to others and, where possible, avoid diving near fishing and aquaculture equipment.

Inhabited islands

Respect fisher property and privacy.
Do not intrude upon private camps, jetties and facilities, and commercial moorings.

Moor or anchor your boat responsibly

Protect and report historic sites and relic

Preserve the rich heritage and history of the Abrolhos Islands by leaving sites as you find them. Interfering with and physically damaging wrecks and historic sites, and unauthorised salvaging of artefacts, is prohibited.
Report the location of any finds to the Western Australian Museum.