Port Stephans - Great Lakes Marine Park Zoning Plan User Guide
Contents
1. PORT STEPHENS GREAT LAKES MARINE PARK Zoning Plan ser Guide March 2013 i Fj oJ ana Marine Parks NSW Authority anne E raaf A l AC M pg pe a Pa y V4 el iS JIT Cdl Lal c I idi IC I al EN The Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park PSGLMP was declared on December 2005 under the Marine Parks Act 1997 It covers an area of approximately 98 000 hectares and includes offshore waters to the 3 nautical mile limit of state waters between Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving Club and Birubi Beach Surf Life Saving Club and all estuarine waters of Port Stephens and the Karuah River the Myall River Myall and Smiths Lakes and all of their creeks and tributaries to the limit of tidal influence This multiple use Marine Park represents an opportunity to protect some of the state s most spectacular and rich marine biodiversity while providing for sustainable use The outstanding features of the Marine Park include Broughton Island the second largest island in NSW which provides important habitat for the threatened grey nurse shark and black cod e a jp D d a Fi Cabbage Tree Island John Gould Nature Reserve the primary breeding site for the threatened seabird Gould s petrel FE s L Ten mo The majority of islands reefs beaches and rocky intertidal areas in the bioregion providing significant habitats for the diverse fauna and flora w2. Great Lakes Marine Park Full details of the zoning plan are contained in the Marine Parks Zoning Plans Regulation 1999 via the website www legislation nsw gov au this brochure should not be used for navigation or legal interpretation purposes No warranty is given that this User Guide is free from error or omission This User Guide should not be used as an aid in determining whether an activity is safe to perform Users of this guide should satisfy themselves of the accuracy of the information contained herein through their own enquiries The NSW Marine Parks Authority and its servants and agents expressly disclaim liability for any act done or omission made based on the information in this User Guide and any consequences of any such act or omission The information contained in this User Guide may be subject to change PHOTOGRAPHY Little Penguin G Robertson DEC Gould s Petrel DEC Fisher DEC Humpback Whale Simon Allen Underwater Photos David Harasti All other photos supplied by MPA PSGLMP 03 13
3. Habitat protection zone permitted fishing activities The fish species listed in Table A can be taken from habitat protection zones by the following fishing methods Line fishing e Hand gathering e Spearfishing Scoop net landing net push net scissor net lift net Commercial submersible lift net bait and purse seine net are permitted only in the following locations within a habitat protecion Zone ei He METTI ane Broughton Island west of Cod Rock on the southern side and west of Flat Rock on the northern side and no more than kilometre seaward of the mean high water mark the Cabbage Tree Island habitat protection zone within 500 metres of Tomaree Head within 2 kilometres of Point Stephens at 32 44 900 S D2 VAC SIS Commercial prawn net set pocket is permitted only in the Smiths Lake habitat protection zone and the Myall River Camp habitat protection zone Commercial haul netting is permitted only from the following beaches in habitat protection zones Boat Harbour Beach One Mile Beach Samurai Beach Fingal Beach Fingal Spit Bennetts Beach Mungo Beach Boat Beach Number One Beach Shelly Beach Elizabeth Beach Seven Mile Beach and Lighthouse Beach Sugarloaf Point Little Beach restrictions The following restrictions apply in the Little Beach habitat Do ellonrzon no collecting e taking of fish by hand held line only Land based line fishing is the only method of fishing permitte
4. Zoning The PSGLMP Zoning Plan enhances conservation of marine habitats and species by providing various levels of protection whilst allowing for multiple use The four types of zones that are applied in NSW marine parks are sanctuary zones habitat protection zones general use zones and special purpose zones SANCTUARY ZONES provide the highest level of protection for habitats animals and plants ecological processes natural features and areas of cultural significance by allowing only activities that do not harm plants animals or habitats Many recreational activities can be conducted in sanctuary zones including guided tours boating surfing snorkelling diving and permitted research and educational activities HABITAT PROTECTION ZONES help to conserve marine biodiversity by protecting habitat and reducing high impact activities A range of activities that are of social commercial and economic importance to the area may continue in habitat protection zones including recreational fishing some forms of commercial fishing tourist activities and fishing competitions Habitat protection zones prohibit fish and prawn trawling and estuary mesh and estuary haul netting GENERAL USE ZONES provide for a wide range of environmentally sustainable activities including both commercial and recreational fishing General use zones complement other marine park zones and provide an integrated approach to the management and use
5. such a purpose Vehicles Vehicles are permitted on beaches of the Marine Park for the purpose of launching and retrieving vessels from designated boat launching facilities or other beaches subject to Local Government and National Parks and Wildlife Service requirements Fish cleaning Fish or fishing gear cannot be cleaned in a sanctuary zone Trawl nets can be cleaned whilst transiting through a sanctuary zone provided the otter boards are out of the water and the cod ends are open Anchoring Anchoring is not permitted on seagrass beds in sanctuary zones Vessel operators must ensure that no part of the anchor chain rope or vessel makes contact with a seagrass bed Speed restrictions in sanctuary zones A 4 knot speed limit applies within the designated speed restriction area of the Fly Point Corrie Island sanctuary zone and the entirety of the Jimmys Beach sanctuary zone These locations are recognised dolphin resting areas particularly for females with calves Taking of certain plants in habitat protection and general use zones For recreational purposes it is permissible to hand collect sea lettuce Ulva lactuca and bait weed Enteromorpha intestinalis in habitat protection and general use zones General Activities n uide Seasonal closure commercial The mouth of the Myall River at Bombah Broadwater is closed to commercial netting from the May to 3 August each year
6. d in the Little Beach Habitat Protection Zone Fishing is only per mitted from the wheelchair access Jetty the Little Beach Jetty and the beach between these jetties Fishing from water craft is not permitted by any means in the area berleying is not permitted Dutchmans Beach restrictions No collecting is permitted in the Dutchmans Beach habitat protection zone Broughton Island Sawtooth and Edith Breakers restrictions The following restrictions have been implemented to minimise potential impacts on key grey nurse shark aggregations NO FISEING FROM ANGCEORED VESSELS Fishing spearfishing lobster gathering or trapping is not permitted from vessels anchored in either the hatched Sawtooth or Broughton Island habitat protection zones e FISHING WITH BAIT IS PROHIBITED It is only permitted to take or attempt to take fish by way of artificial lure artificial fly fish trap lobster trap hand picking spear or speargun in Broughton Island Sawtooth or Edith Breakers habitat protection zone Cabbage Tree Island restrictions In the Cabbage Tree Island habitat protection zone fishing is not permitted except for yellowtail scad Trachurus novaezelandiae slimy mackerel Scomber australasicus and garfish all species It is unlawful to be in possession of any fish other than the bait fish species mentioned above in the Cabbage Tree Island habitat protection zone exemption exists for commercial fishers only Vessel light
7. he following areas within the Marine Park are declared critical habitats for the grey nurse shark as at January 2007 he Pinnacle Big Seal and Little Seal at Seal Rocks Little Broughton Island Special purpose zones Fish and or plants can only be taken in a special purpose zone if a habitat protection zone or a general use zone adjoins the special purpose zone The same provisions and restrictions apply to that of the adjoining habitat protection or general use ANNE Setlining droplining Setlining and droplining are not permitted in the Marine Park Seaplanes hovercrafts and airboats A permit is required from the Marine Parks Authority to operate a seaplane hovercraft or airboat on the waters of the Marine Park Motorised water sports Motorised water sports are not permitted in sanctuary zones except for Smiths Lake and Boolambayte Lake sanctuary zones or via a Marine Park permit in the Fly Point Corrie Island sanctuary zone Motorised water sport means the following a irregular driving b towing a water skier or aquaplaner with a motorised vessel Personal Water Craft including jetskis are not permitted within 200 metres of the shore in the Dutchmans Beach habitat protection zone Vessels travelling through sanctuary zones All vessels may transit through a sanctuary zone Vessels must stow any fishing gear whilst transiting a sanctuary zone Vessels anchored moored or aground in sanctuary zones mus
8. irato pha the aiti quide belore going finkiog beating or collextiaq in Ihe park ribz 411 7752 er vini rw mp bbw gov 2a eal Sanctuary Zone No fishing or collecting Infringement and Incident Reporting Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park Locked Bag 800 Nelson Bay NSW 2315 len OVE Ar tev OE OV ase email pssmp mpa nsw gov au Web www mpa nsw gov au Pollution Office of Environment and Heritage Environment Hotline 131 555 Web www environment nsw gov au Fisheries NSW Department of Industry and Inves tment Fisheries Information Line 1300 550 474 24 Hour Watch Line 1800 043 536 Web www dpi nsw gov au fisheries Disclaimer Boating NSW Maritime Licences and Testing Registrations Moorings Weather Forecasts Commercial Vessels certification information Ph 131 236 Web www maritime nsw gov au Marine Mammal Reptile and other Wildlife Office of Environment and Heritage Pine 1919 9 9 6 oy Web www nationalparks nsw gov au Please be warned that 500 on the spot fines and heavy penalties of up to 110 000 apply for infringements against the zoning plan and breaches of the Marine Parks Act 1997 the Marine Parks Regulation 2009 and the Marine Parks Zoning Plans Regulation 1999 There are also the provisions for the confiscation of fish fishing gear boats trailers vehicles and other equipment This brochure provides a plain English guide to the zoning for the Port Stephens
9. ith five areas identified as major habitat sites for the grey nurse shark Extensive and diverse estuaries and shorelines of Port Stephens and the Great Lakes regions including remarkable features such as the largest drowned river valley in NSW Port Stephens the largest brackish barrier lake system in NSW Myall Lakes and the largest intermittently open and closed lake in NSW Smiths Lake The largest areas of mangrove and saltmarsh in the state and 5 percent of the seagrass area in NSW e Important socio economic values including quality recreational fishing and productive commercial fishing grounds aquaculture many popular scuba diving sites and regionally significant tourism activities such as whale and dolphin watching e Many heritage listed sites such as the spectacular lighthouses at Point Stephens and Seal Rocks A multitude of historic shipwrecks including the Satara Oakland Catterthun and Macleay Many significant Indigenous cultural and spiritual sites are located within or adjacent to the Marine Park including middens burial sites and traditional campsites Aboriginal association with the sea and land in the area dates back thousands of years and many traditional practices are still undertaken today including fishing and collecting LL Te a CR E Er uat pa ES pen m tr NIMM NE Pitas TR S p a We a cu W 1 M cs ee et QUE D ERBEN mU D dass c US ie 1 P tt Ts
10. of the Marine Park General use zones allow for a variety of activities including trawling but excluding longlining setlining and droplining These zones are also found throughout the inlets bays estuaries rivers creeks and lakes in the Marine Park SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONES provide for the specific management of aquaculture fish feeding marinas and other vessel related facilities commercial and residential facilities fisheries and aquaculture research at a number of locations throughout the Marine Park Permits A variety of activities undertaken in the Marine Park require permits from the Marine Parks Authority including j Commercial activities Collecting for commercial and private amp WERL aquariums 4 e Competitions including line fishing and E i NR lt 4 spearfishing ig ER n Qo eee LE RM Ti Jii ae tk e Hovercrafts airboats and seaplanes A 7 Traditional Indigenous fishing use Organised events including sporting see 1 Me ree H 1 ig or other activities or T 7 EC Research T Domestic animals Domestic animals are permitted within the Marine Park However domestic animals are not permitted on or in waters that are reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 or beaches directly seaward of such reserves The exception to this applies if they are assisting a disabled person are a police dog or if the owner has a Marine Parks Authority Permit for
11. s can confuse and stress little penguins and Gould s petrels returning to their nests on Cabbage Tree Island at night For these reasons light restrictions have been implemented in the Cabbage Tree Island habitat protection zone No lights can be switched on for longer than 5 minutes in any 60 minute period except for alight required to be used under the Navigation Act 190 or the Marine Safety Act 1998 or a bait collection light suspended less than 5m high and which projects a spread of light downwards that is less than 20 metres at its widest point Open Ocean restricted habitat protection zone restrictions The following restrictions apply in the Open Ocean restricted habitat protection zone e Taking of fish by recreational trolling only permitted between December and 30 April inclusive each year No other fishing methods permitted No fishing from anchored or drifting vessels Bart use is permitted whilst trolling e All fishing is prohibited within this zone between May and 30 November inclusive each year Diving restrictions in grey nurse shark critical habitats The following SCUBA diving activities are not permitted in declared grey nurse shark critical habitat areas night diving blocking an entrance to a cave or gutter containing a shark feeding or touching a shark chasing or harassing a shark wearing or using an electronic shark repelling device using a powered scooter T
12. t have all fishing lines unrigged Trawlers must have the cod end of a trawl net open and the otter boards out of the water whilst transiting a sanctuary zone Commercial operations All commercial operations require a permit from the Marine Parks Authority Competitions organised sports and other organised activities All competitions organised sports or other organised activities require a permit from the Marine Parks Authority NOTE The Fisheries Management Act 1994 continues to apply in the Marine Park including fishing closures size and bag limits and grey nurse shark critical habitat regulations labitat protection zon m 77 hmm mos w Paene Ls i Cunjevoi All species Turban shell Turbo spp Abalone Haliotis rubra Periwinkle Austrocochlea spp NOTE Except as otherwise protected under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 Zone Markers Zone markers indicate zone boundaries within the Marine Park and come in a variety of shapes and sizes as required to suit a specific site Examples of these markers are provided below It is an offence to moor a vessel to or otherwise interfere with a zone marker Habitat Protection Zone No tishing or collecting Rules No fishing apply Please eblain the over quide belare geing ihig bowing or calfectimg in Ihe park TORN 440 FR ea viel wee mpa mw go deu n e or collecting ES 559654 Habitat Protection Rules apply P
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