Fishing Guidelines for Marmion Marine Park Sanctuary Zones

All fishing and collecting, both commercial and recreational, is officially prohibited from the three sanctuary zones in the Marmion Marine Park. An order under the Fish Resources Management Act prohibiting fishing in these areas was published in the Government Gazette on 12 November 1999. The sanctuary zones were a recommendation of the Marmion Marine Park management plan that was released in 1992. There was wide consultation during the preparation of the plan.

The sanctuary zones in Marmion Marine Park are located at Boyinaboat Reef, Little Island and The Lumps. Collectively they make up only about 42 hectares out of a total of 9500 hectares or 0.44% of the marine park area (less than half of one percent). Sanctuary zones provide total protection of environmental values through the exclusion of human activities likely to impact on the ecology of the area. The zones provide scientific reference areas, protect areas of special value and may provide refuges for some species.

On the water, each sanctuary zone is marked on each corner by a yellow spar marker buoy. The words "SANCTUARY ZONE" are marked on each spar marker. If you wish too mark the sanctuary zones on your GPS the co-ordinates are listed below. Please note that these co-ordinates are referenced to AGD 84. The latest Department of Transport charts are referenced to GDA 94 which differs from AGD 84 by approximately 200 metres. Also, if your GPS system is referenced in WGS 84, positions will also differ from AGD 84 by approximately 200 metres.

Please note that the closure to commercial fishing in the Watermans Observation Area (in front of the Fisheries Research Laboratories) is still in force.

Further details of zone boundaries and regulations are available from the Department of Environment and Conservation Marine Branch on 9336 0100.