Major changes in arrangements for commercial fishing in new Australian Marine Parks

From July 1, 2018, new Australian Marine Park management plans will come into effect, creating new rules for where fishing can occur in 44 marine parks around the country.

Australian Marine Parks are located in Commonwealth waters, three to 200 nautical miles from the coastline, beyond state water boundaries.

Commercial fishing can occur in yellow and blue zones within these new networks, in accordance with a class approval issued under each management plan. Class approvals set out the areas where commercial fishing can occur, the fishing methods that can be used, and the conditions that need to be followed while operating or transiting.

Parks Australia said it is aiming to contact all operators that fish in or near these new Australian Marine Parks, to inform them of the new requirements in advance of July 1.

This will include the final class approvals and factsheets for the Coral Sea Marine Park, Temperate East Network, South-west Network, North-west Network and North Network of Marine Parks.

The factsheets will outline what you need to be aware of in order to comply and will include information on how to access electronic maps/files of all marine park boundaries. All documents will soon be available on the Parks Australia website.