Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2008C00685:front:0:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2008C00685
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 13160–16068

be, threatened include the following:
 (a) corals and associated biota;
 (b) marine animals, plants and habitat, particularly dugong, whales and fish spawning sites;
 (c) birds nesting or roosting in, or adjacent to, the Planning Area.

Note 1   Regulations to control discharge of waste from vessels and to set out tertiary treatment standards for the direct discharge of waste have been implemented in the Marine Park. The Authority is working with Queensland agencies and stakeholders to manage diffuse, land‑based sources of pollution.

Note 2   The Authority encourages the best environmental practices for major activities (such as anchoring and mooring, fishing, diving and snorkelling) in the Planning Area.

Note 3   As tourism is the major use in the Planning Area, the Authority is working with the tourism industry to ensure best environmental practices through accreditation, training and educational programs and materials.

Subdivision 2 Coral and associated biota conservation

1.6 Values

 (1) Healthy coral cover, formations and substrate are fundamental to the value of the Planning Area and many of its ecological processes.

 (2) The Planning Area has a diversity of coral reef systems and associated biota. Coral quality and cover vary greatly on the reefs, but there are many areas of outstanding coral and associated fauna. Outer and mid‑shelf reefs represent a range of reef types. Most inshore reefs have a distinctive, shallow reef benthos. Many reefs have high percentage coral cover and high species diversity.

 (3) Protection of a functioning, healthy coral reef ecosystem is a major reason for protection of the Marine Park and for its World Heritage listing.

 (4) A diverse, resilient and productive coral reef ecosystem is the basis of most use of the Planning Area (for example, most research, traditional activities, collecting and tourism, and some fishing and recreational use).

 (5) Maintaining the Marine Park as a natural, healthy and well‑protected coral reef ecosystem is essential for national and international appreciation, presentation and continuing support for future protection of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

1.7 Issues

 (1) There is a high and increasing risk of widespread coral damage from anchoring and other direct human activities due to the increasing level of use at Locations in the Planning Area.

 (2) Widespread or recurrent damage to coral will alter the quality, cover, composition and topography of coral over time.

 (3) The extent and long‑term effects of damage to corals from direct human use of the Marine Park have not been quantified. However, extensive damage from human impact has been demonstrated in other coral reef systems and in localised parts of the Marine Park.

 (4) Coral is most susceptible to damage in places where use is high.

 (5) User behaviour can substantially raise, or lower, the risk of individual