Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2008C00685:front:0:p14
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2008C00685
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 34635–37688

(d) designating some Locations as Sensitive Locations with additional or special protection; and
 (e) providing exemption for traditional owners from restrictions on the number of people on a vessel or aircraft that can access Locations if undertaking activities, not involving the taking of plants, animals or marine product, for the purposes of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custom or tradition (see subclause 2.11 (4) (c)).

 (2) Regular consultation with traditional owners will continue to ensure that cultural and heritage values are identified and appropriately managed.

 (3) The Authority is working with traditional owner groups to develop traditional use of marine resources agreements.

Note   See the Regulations for further information on traditional use of marine resources agreements.

 (4) The Authority has developed a heritage strategy under the requirements
of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000.

Note   The document published by the Authority and entitled Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Heritage Strategy can be found on the Authority's website at http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au.

Division 4 Scientific research

1.25 Values

 (1) The protection and conservation of the values of the Planning Area will depend, in part, on the knowledge and understanding gained from scientific research and monitoring.

 (2) Basic, strategic and applied research is undertaken in the Marine Park.

 (3) Research stations are located at Green Island, Lizard Island and Low Island.

 (4) Scientific values of Low Isles derive from the diversity of natural features and from being the site of the 1928–1929 Great Barrier Reef Expedition. Low Isles is one of the few coral reefs in the world for which a long series of data exists and Low Isles therefore presents an unusual and valuable opportunity for continuing long term studies.

 (5) Lizard Island is a mid‑shelf continental island with a wide range of adjacent marine habitats. Waters adjacent to Lizard Island, as well as three smaller islands nearby (Palfrey, South and Bird), support high levels of research. Lizard Island Locality 1 possibly has unique solitary coral communities.

 (6) Green Island has a long history of research activities and is easily accessed from Cairns.

1.26 Issues

 (1) Appropriate research is necessary to improve understanding of the Planning Area and guide effective long‑term management.

 (2) Deployment of scientific equipment and access to moorings is necessary to undertake research in some locations.

 (3) Inappropriate activities, including vessel anchoring and fishing may detrimentally affect ongoing research projects in places of high scientific values. This is particularly relevant for some locations that have high long‑term scientific research values.

 (4) Commercial and recreational use often occurs in the Planning Area in the vicinity of places where on‑going research projects are conducted, and where conflict of use issues may arise. Environmental management plans, site plans or conditions on