Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Encyclopedia : G : GR : GRE : Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | |
|---|---|
| colspan="2" | |
| Nearest town/city: | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 345,400 km² |
| Established: | 1975 |
| Visitation: | (in [[]]) |
| Managing authorities: | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Official site: | [Great Barrier Reef Marine Park] |
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) are the administrators of the park. They issue licences for use of the restricted areas of the park, inspect these areas for illegal use and maintain public moorings etc. GBRMPA is financed partly by a tax levied on the permit-holders passengers. Currently this is AUD$4.50 per day per passenger (to a maximum of $13.50 per trip).
In 1975, the Government of Australia enacted the [Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975], which created the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and defined what acts were prohibited on the Reef. The Government of Australia manages the reef through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and in partnership with the Government of Queensland, to ensure that it is widely understood and used in a sustainable manner. A combination of zoning, management plans, permits, education and incentives (such as eco-tourism certification) are used in the effort to conserve the Great Barrier Reef.
For example, the Queensland Government has enacted several plans attempting to regulate fishing. The East Coast Trawl Management Plan 1999 aimed to regulate trawling through limiting the times when trawling is permitted and restricting gear used. The State of Queensland (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries) (2004). Queensland East Coast Trawl Fishery Annual Status Report [online PDF]. Available: http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/eastcoastrawlsummary.pdf [Access date: 9 June 2006] The Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery) Management Plan 2003 aimed at reducing the annual commercial catch to 1996 levels, disallowing fishing when the fish are spawning and increasing the minimum legal size of fish. The State of Queensland (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries) (unknown date). Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery Management Plan - A summary [online]. Available: http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/11379.html [Access date: 28 May 2006]
The Great Barrier Reef was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1980). World Heritage Sites - Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area [online]. Available: http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/gbrmp.html [Access date: 10 June 2006] On July 1, 2004 the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park became the largest protected sea area in the world when the Australian Government increased the areas protected from extractive activities (such as fishing) from 4.6% to 33.3% of the park. Environment News Service - International Daily Newswire (2004). Fish Boats Barred From One-Third of Great Barrier Reef [online]. Available: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2004/2004-07-01-06.asp [Access date: 28 May 2006] As of 2006, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Monument is the largest protected marine area in the world. The management committee draws inspiration from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's management strategies.
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