Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Cormorant Pass Section) Regulations

Overview

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Cormorant Pass Section) Regulations 1981 were enacted under the authority of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. These regulations were designed to address the need for specific management measures within the Cormorant Pass Section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, aiming to protect and conserve the marine environment while allowing for sustainable use. The regulations were made by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and were signed by the Minister of State for Home Affairs and Environment. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to ensure the protection and preservation of the marine ecosystem within the specified section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Scope and Application

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Cormorant Pass Section) Regulations, made under the authority of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, apply specifically to the Cormorant Pass Section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This regulatory framework governs activities within the designated Cormorant Pass area, including the conduct of fishing practices. Any person engaging in fishing activities within this section of the marine park must comply with the regulations, which stipulate that fish may only be taken by trolling. Non-compliance with this requirement can result in a penalty of up to $1,000. The regulations extend across the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically targeting conduct and transactions related to fishing within the named marine park section, and do not include any stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the specified fishing method. The scope of these regulations is further defined through the Schedule to the Proclamation made on 21 October 1981, which delineates the exact geographical boundaries of the Cormorant Pass Section.

Key Provisions

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Cormorant Pass Section) Regulations, which were made under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, detail specific rules for a designated area within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Cormorant Pass Section is defined in these regulations as the area described in the Schedule to the Proclamation made on 21 October 1981, which assigned this area the name ‘Great Barrier Reef Marine Park—Cormorant Pass Section’. The primary regulation, section 3, specifies that within the Cormorant Pass Section, fishing can only be done by trolling. This means that other methods of fishing are strictly prohibited in this area. These regulations impose clear obligations on individuals and entities operating within the Cormorant Pass Section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Firstly, they mandate that any fishing activities within this designated area must be conducted using the trolling method exclusively. This requirement is aimed at preserving marine biodiversity and ensuring sustainable fishing practices. Failure to comply with this fishing method could lead to legal repercussions. The regulations also bind individuals to adhere to the penalties set out for any breaches, which are designed to enforce compliance and protect the marine environment. The regulations outline specific consequences for breaches, as stipulated in section 3. If an individual is found to be taking fish in the Cormorant Pass Section by any method other than trolling, they are liable for an offence. The penalty for such an offence is a fine of up to $1,000. This penalty serves as a deterrent against non-compliance and reinforces the importance of adhering to the regulations designed to protect the marine ecosystem. The inclusion of such penalties ensures that the regulations are enforceable and that there are tangible consequences for those who fail to comply with the rules.