Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B00701:front:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B00701
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 27401–30294

susceptible to human activities, which means that a slight decrease in adult numbers (particularly of breeding-age females) can cause a long-term decline in the dugong population;
 (f) dugongs and green turtles feed primarily on seagrass which is easily damaged by human activities.

1.18 Marine animals, plants and habitat conservation strategies

 (1) To protect marine animals, plants and habitats in the Planning Area, the Authority intends to:
 (a) prevent the taking of, or intentional disturbance of, or interference with, dugongs or marine turtles; and
 (b) manage the number of people on tourism operation vessels or aircraft, and, in some cases, the size, nature and speed of tourism operation vessels operating in Sensitive Locations that have significant dugong populations; and
 (c) encourage vessel traffic north-westerly of Hinchinbrook Island and in the Missionary Bay Location to use the marked voluntary transit lanes (see Map 3 in Schedule 8), and travel at the recommended voluntary maximum speed of:
 (i) 25 knots within transit lanes, including transit lanes over seagrass beds; and
 (ii) 10 knots over seagrass beds outside transit lanes; and
 (iii) 10 knots when travelling near a large sea animal, for example, a dugong, dolphin or marine turtle; and
 (d) introduce a maximum overall length of 20 metres for all vessels in the Missionary Bay Location, except for vessels using a transit lane; and
 (e) prevent aircraft from landing in, taking off from or taxiing in the Hinchinbrook Island Dugong Protection Area (see Map 3 in Schedule 8).

 (2) The Authority will continue to monitor and develop measures for the protection of fish spawning aggregation sites in the Planning Area as part of reef-wide conservation programs to minimise damage to and disturbance of fish when they aggregate at these sites.

Note 1   A significant population of dugong occurs in the Planning Area and a portion of the Planning Area has been declared a Dugong Protection Area under Queensland legislation (see Map 3 in Schedule 8).

Note 2   Voluntary transit lanes can be used to concentrate boating activity away from shallow water habitats, thereby reducing disturbance to dugong and marine turtles, habitat degradation and the risk of boat strike. Operators of commercial and recreational vessels of all types (including personal watercraft) using Missionary Bay will be requested to use the transit lanes that are marked by navigation aids, and to travel at the recommended speed limits.  If adverse weather makes travelling in these lanes unsafe, other routes may be used.

Note 3   The Authority is monitoring the level of use of voluntary transit lanes and observance of recommended speed limits to determine the effectiveness of these strategies.

Subdivision 3 Corals and associated biota conservation

1.19 General intent

  The Authority intends that corals and associated