Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2008C00685:front:0:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2008C00685
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 21050–23957

Marine Park south of Cooktown.

 (3) Dugongs have a low reproductive capability and those that live close to the shore are susceptible to human activities. A slight fall in adult numbers can cause a long‑term decline in the population.

 (4) Threats to dugongs and marine turtles include fishing and shark nets, collisions with vessels, habitat degradation and loss, and illegal netting and hunting. Indigenous hunting may also be a threat, if the species are not ecologically secure in that part of the Marine Park.

 (5) High levels of vessel or aircraft use in areas with possibly significant dugong and marine turtle populations may create unacceptable disturbance.

 (6) Dugongs and marine turtles feed on seagrasses which may suffer damage from human use.

 (7) Marine turtles are highly susceptible to human interference at nesting sites.

1.12 Strategies

 (1) To reduce or eliminate the threats to dugongs and marine turtles in the Planning Area, the taking of protected species is prohibited other than in accordance with section 5.3 of the Zoning Plan.

 (2) The Authority's strategies in managing activities to protect significant dugong habitats and to limit pressure on dugong populations are:
 (a) limiting the number of people on vessels or aircraft operating in Locations in the Planning Area that may have significant dugong populations (see clause 2.11); and
 (b) limiting the number of moorings and pontoons that may be installed in Locations in the Planning Area that may have significant dugong populations (see Subdivision 4, Division 5).

Note 1   Traditional use of marine resource agreements are currently being developed by Traditional Owner groups whose sea country includes the Planning Area.

Note 2   As part of its Marine Park‑wide protected species conservation programs, the Authority will continue to monitor and develop measures for dugong conservation within the Planning Area.

Note 3   Taking has the same meaning as in the Zoning Plan — see Schedule 9. In the Zoning Plan, taking is defined as follows:

taking an animal, plant or marine product includes:
(a) removing, gathering, catching, capturing, killing, destroying, dredging for, raising, carrying away, bringing ashore, interfering with and obtaining (by any other means) the animal, plant or marine product; and
(b) attempting to do anything mentioned in paragraph (a).

Note 4   The document published by the Authority and entitled Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Position Statement on conservation of dugongs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park can be found on the Authority's website at http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au.

Note 5   The document published by the Authority and entitled Marine Turtles in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area: A compendium of information and basis for the development of policies and strategies for the conservation of marine turtles can be found on the Authority's