Frequently asked questions
Other information sheets about the new zoning plan are also available:
- What does the new zoning mean for me?
- Understanding permits
- About the Structural Adjustment Package
When does the new zoning take effect?
The new zoning plan for Moreton Bay Marine Park comes into effect on 1 March 2009 and will be enforced from this date. The original zoning plan remains in effect and will be enforced until that time.
What are the different zone types and what do they do?
Moreton Bay Marine Park has four zone types which provide varying levels of protection and allow a range of uses in different parts of the marine park.
The new zoning plan also includes a series of designated areas where special management requirements apply. These areas, which are just as important as an area's zoning, provide an additional level of protection for species, habitats or values, or are used to manage specific areas in the marine park.
Designated areas include:
- Go slow areas to reduce the risk of boat strike on turtles and dugong, or protect sensitive natural habitats.
- No anchoring areas to help protect areas of coral abundance or diversity from anchor damage.
- Mooring areas where buoy moorings can be installed with permission from Maritime Safety Queensland, but without requiring a marine park permit.
| Marine national park (green) zones |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation park (yellow) zones |
|
| Habitat protection (dark blue) zones |
|
| General use (light blue) zones |
|
What can I do in each zone?
| Entry and use guide | General use zone | Habitat protection zone | Conservation park zone | Marine national park zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Line fishing | Yes | Yes | Yesa | Nob |
| Trolling | Yes | Yes | Yesa | Nob |
| Crabbing | Yes | Yes | Yesc | Nob |
| Bait gathering | Yes | Yes | Yes | Nob |
| Bait netting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Nob |
| Netting (other than bait netting) | Yes | Yes | Nob | Nob |
| Limited spearfishing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Nob |
| Limited collection | Yesd | Yesd | Yesd | Nob |
| Trawling | Yes | Nob | Nob | Nob |
Notes
- Up to two lines and a maximum of two hooks per angler
- All equipment must be stowed or secured
- Maximum of four pots per person
- No coral. Limits apply to species and equipment used.
This is not an exhaustive list. For full details about the activities allowed in Moreton Bay Marine Park, refer to the Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 2008.
How will the new zoning plan be implemented?
The department is undertaking a number of significant projects to support the new zoning plan. These include:
- Installing land-based and in-water signs and buoys, as well as signs at major public boat ramps.
- Purchasing new vessels and employing new marine park rangers to improve enforcement and compliance.
- Implementing a $14 million Structural Adjustment Package for commercial fishers.
- Installing public moorings at Flinders Reef and Flat Rock.
- Undertaking a five year monitoring program to investigate the environmental, social and economic outcomes of the new zoning plan.
- Implementing a trial artificial reef program in the marine park to provide recreational anglers with alternative fishing locations.
- Releasing a range of maps and brochures - including close-up maps of zones and their boundaries, with satellite imagery - to help you understand and comply with the new zoning.
How will I know which zone I am in? Will the boundaries be marked?
As well as signing and marking many of the zones so they are easy to identify, zone boundaries have been simplified and, wherever possible, have been created using north/south or east/west bearings. In areas near the coast the boundaries are aligned with landmarks. Also, in many cases, recognisable natural features, such as the edge of mangroves or depth contours, have been used to define zone boundaries.
If I have a GPS, can I get the boundaries for the zones?
Yes. You can download boundary descriptions for the new zones from the department website www.epa.qld.gov.au/moretonbay and enter them into your GPS unit. If you don't have access to a computer, call us on 1800 105 789 to request a mailed copy.
Will the new zoning map be available for my navigational/plotting equipment?
Yes. The department will be working with major GPS manufacturers and electronic chart companies to provide the new zoning data to be incorporated into their products. Contact your GPS supplier for more information about these products. Also, as mentioned above, you can mark the zones in your GPS yourself using the boundary descriptions available from the department.
How are the zones and designated areas enforced?
The department, through Queensland Parks and Wildlife, patrols Moreton Bay Marine Park to monitor compliance and ensure the new zoning is fully enforced. Various other government agencies are also working with the department to ensure compliance, and will enforce breaches of the zoning plan.
What penalties apply for offences conducted in the marine park?
The Marine Parks Act 2004, Marine Parks Regulation 2006 and the zoning plan set out the penalties for offences conducted in the marine park. An infringement notice may be issued for breaches of the Act, Regulation or zoning plan - on-the-spot fines apply. If the matter proceeds to a court hearing a Magistrate may allocate the penalty, which may be greater than the on-the-spot fine.
| Offence | On-the-spot fine |
|---|---|
| Disturbing shorebirds | $225 |
| Operating a vessel on-the-plane in a go slow area | $300 |
| Fishing in a marine national park (green) zone | $375 |
| Using the marine park without a permit (where a permit is required) | $375 |
All vessels must travel off-the-plane in go slow areas - what does that mean?
A vessel is on-the-plane when it is at a speed that allows the hull to travel over the top of the water, rather than through it. The speed at which each vessel is on-the-plane is different.
Vessels must travel off-the-plane in go slow areas to reduce the risk of striking turtles and dugong, and avoid damaging surrounding habitats with boat wake and wash. All vessels, including personal watercraft, must also not undertake motorised water sports in go slow areas.
What are motorised water sports?
"Motorised water sports" include:
- Driving a vessel (including personal watercraft) other than in a straight line; for example driving in circles, weaving, and surfing down or jumping over waves, swell or wash.
- Towing a person, for activities such as waterskiing, wakeboarding or parasailing.
I have a permit under the 1997 zoning plan - is there anything I need to be aware of?
Yes. Changes have been made to permit requirements under the new zoning plan. Refer to the "Understanding permits" information sheet for details.
What's happening with the Structural Adjustment Package for commercial fishers?
The new zoning is estimated to have a 17% or $4.1 million impact per year on commercial fisheries in Moreton Bay, and a $14 million Structural Adjustment Package is being implemented to minimise this impact. The Structural Adjustment Package will be completed before the new zoning plan comes into force on 1 March 2009. For more information, visit www.epa.qld.gov.au or call 1800 105 789.
How will the go slow areas in the southern bay islands affect ferries?
Four new go slow areas for vessels greater than eight metres in length are being introduced in the southern bay to help protect turtles and dugong from boat strike. In these areas, larger vessels are restricted to 10 knots.
To reduce the impact on residents commuting, Bay Islands Transit System is able to apply for a permit to temporarily exempt them from the go slow areas. This will allow time to develop longer term operating guidelines which meet both conservation and community needs.
Can I travel through a marine national park (green) zone with fishing gear and fish?
Yes, as long as your gear is stowed or secured and the fish were not caught in a marine national park (green) zone. "Stowed or secured" means that any hand lines or hand-held rods are inboard the boat or stored in rod holders. You do not need to remove hooks from lines when travelling through marine national park (green) zones; however they should be secured to the hand line or rod.
What is the difference between recreational fishing and collecting in the different zones?
| Line fishing and trolling |
|
|---|---|
| Bait gathering |
|
| Limited spearfishing |
|
| Netting |
|
For full details about these activities refer to the Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 2008.
What is limited collecting?
Limited collecting means collecting by hand or using a hand-held implement that is not motorised, or pneumatically or hydraulically operated. A total of five specimens and only two of each species from the Protected and Restricted Species list (Schedule 3, Part 3 of the zoning plan) can be collected. Species that are commonly collected, such as yabbies, are not included in this list.
Limited collecting is allowed in all zones except for marine national park (green) zones. Any collecting that does not fall under this definition requires a permit and can only be conducted in habitat protection (dark blue) zones and general use (light blue) zones. See the "Understanding Permits" information sheet for further information.
What is the definition of "a hook"?
A hook means:
- a single hook
- a single-shanked double or treble hook
- a lure with up to 3 hooks attached to it
- an artificial fly
- a squid jig
- a ganged hook set (of up to 6 adjoined hooks), or
- a bait jig (of up to 6 hooks, using hooks sized between number 1 and 12).
Will there be monitoring in the marine park?
The department is working with CSIRO, Griffith University and University of Queensland to monitor the marine park over the next five years. The results of this program, which will track both the environmental and social outcomes of the new zoning, will be used to inform and adapt management, planning and policy arrangements in the marine park.
Why has the Moreton Bay Marine Park boundary changed?
The zoning review established that the marine park boundary extended beyond Queensland coastal waters into Commonwealth waters to the north-west and south-east of Flinders Reef.
The Commonwealth government requested the department to change the boundary to ensure the marine park extends to coastal waters only.
The 16 percent figure for green zones within the park has not changed as the zone percentages in the new plan were calculated on the boundary excluding the Commonweatlh waters.
Last updated: 16 January 2009
Related information
This information sheet answers common questions about the new zoning plan for Moreton Bay Marine Park.
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