Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p31
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 88304–91291

must be manned at all times when in the park to avoid the need to anchor vessels and to ensure the safety and recovery of the participants of these actvitities.

    5.1.18       Where a visitor intends to enter the protected zone associated with the wreck of the Emden, this must be clearly indicated in any permit application.

    5.1.19       Permits may be issued to individuals and groups not covered by 5.1.16 that authorise access to the marine zone of the park for the purposes of scuba diving, snorkelling and surfing only if the Director is satisfied that issues of supervision, safety, environmental protection and liability are adequately addressed.

    5.1.20       Waterskiing and jetskiing are not allowed in the park.

Actions
    5.1.21       Review and implement procedures for visitor access, boating, recreational fishing and scuba diving to ensure that they minimise the risk of visitor impacts on the values of the park and are consistent with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), EPBC Regulations and this management plan.

    5.1.22       Continue to monitor recreational fishing effort and catch, to contribute to evaluating the effects of recreational fishing and to determine whether additional controls are required.

    5.1.23       Monitor the effects of any anchoring in the marine reserve zone and, if necessary, put formal restrictions in place if any impacts are considered unacceptable.

    5.2              Tourism and other visitor activities

Background
Tourism is considered an avenue for significant future economic growth for the southern atoll of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Many visitors to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands will seek a nature-based experience, which may mean that during the life of this management plan the demand for visits to the park will increase.
The only available access to the park is via a 32 kilometre boat journey, hampered by frequent rough seas and a requirement to swim the last leg of the journey across an area of reef to the shore. Access is also limited by boat availability, cost and the need to provide for visitor safety. Given these constraints, well-managed, limited, low-intensity visitor access providing opportunities for unique high-quality visitor experiences to the park is considered appropriate, under strict conditions.
Due to the sensitivity of North Keeling Island's wildlife the foremost management objective of this plan will be the protection and conservation of the island and its wildlife. Visitor access and commercial use of the park must be carefully managed to help protect the unique values of the island (restricted to prevent conflict with that objective).
The fragile and evolving ecosystems of the park are suitable subjects for filmmakers, photographers and journalists who wish to document the natural values of an isolated atoll undergoing change. Such activities can greatly contribute to increasing understanding and promoting