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Parks and forests > Marine Parks > Moreton Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan review > Information sheets

Frequently asked questions

What are the types of zones?

There are four zone types in the Moreton Bay Marine Park. Each zone type offers a different level of protection for the environment.

What science has been used to develop the draft zoning plan?

When the review was launched, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) engaged an independent Expert Advisory Panel to ensure the scientific integrity of the process. The Panel provided a series of recommendations to the EPA to incorporate into the draft zoning plan. These included Scientific Guiding Principles, habitat types and an analysis method to ensure biodiversity in the marine park is adequately protected.

More than 200 sets of data were collated and analysed through the review. A large portion of this was scientific research from various sources, including a study specifically investigating the effectiveness of “no take” areas in Moreton Bay.

What are the benefits of protecting habitats in “no take” areas?

There are more than 4,500 marine protected areas worldwide that use a range of zones to protect biodiversity. A study of 124 marine reserves, or “no take” zones, around the world shows that they help boost the abundance, density, species diversity and the size of marine species living within “no take” areas 1.

Green zones have a number of other benefits, including:

For example, a study conducted in Moreton Bay Marine Park from 2002 to 2005 showed the benefits of “spill over” from green zones. During this study, mud crabs tagged in the Tripcony Bight green zone were recaptured up to 2km away from the zone boundary. Similarly, bream and flathead tagged in the Willes Island green zone were recaptured 10 to 13km from the zone boundary. Species of fish and crab were also found to be larger within the two green zones studied 2 3.

How do green zones help to deal with threatening processes in the marine environment?

The goal of green zones is to increase the abundance and diversity of marine life within their boundaries. Scientific research shows that marine reserves, or green zones, consistently accomplish this goal 4.

Green zones are very similar to national parks on land — places where natural environments thrive and species multiply without threatening impacts. Marine national parks are no different. They fully and permanently protect areas from activities that remove animals and plants or alter habitats.

Green zones complement other management efforts targeting pollution, water quality, climate change and coastal management that also aim to restore or maintain marine ecosystems.

How does the zoning plan address water quality issues in the bay?

The Moreton Bay Marine Park draft zoning plan is one mechanism in a suite of tools being used to secure the health of the marine park’s ecosystem. In addition to the zoning plan the Government has already committed $20 million over the next four years to specifically address water pollution in the bay through the SEQ Healthy Waterways Strategy 2007–2012. This initiative focuses on tackling the problems of urban and non-urban diffuse sources of pollution, enhancing our science and monitoring capacity as well as engaging the whole south-east Queensland community in the Healthy Waterways campaign.

Why ban all fishing and collecting in green zones?

Green zones have been placed to protect a sample of all of the 16 broad-scale habitat types in the marine park. These habitats all function differently and support a range of plant and animal species. Prohibiting extractive activities such as development and fishing from green zones allows the habitats to function naturally, year-round.

What about rotational or seasonal closures?

Rotational closures of areas can provide social benefits and are a useful fisheries management tool for some fish species. However, research shows that there is a rapid depletion of fish stocks after these areas are re-opened to fishing 5. Long-term closures, such as green zones, have been shown to be more effective in protecting biodiversity and natural functions.

Why is 15% being protected in green zones – wasn't 10% the recommended target?

The draft zoning plan was developed using 13 Scientific Guiding Principles recommended by an independent Expert Advisory Panel. The Guiding Principles recommended that a minimum of 10 percent of each of the 16 broad-scale habitat types be protected in “no take” areas. The Guiding Principles also recommended that protection for vulnerable marine and coastal habitats, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, should be greater than 10 percent.

Most recreational fishers only catch a couple of fish. Is this really an impact on the marine environment?

The cumulative take of a couple of fish by thousands of recreational anglers is significant. Surveys conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI & F) estimate that there are approximately 432,000 recreational anglers living in the Moreton Bay region 6. In Queensland, the recreational catch of species such as whiting, yellowfin bream and dusky flathead is two and a half to four times greater than the commercial catch. Similarly, the recreational catch of snapper is up to three times greater than the commercial catch of this species 7.

Independent studies have shown that in many coastal areas, particularly those adjacent to large population centres and popular holiday destinations, the recreational harvest in Australia is substantial and exceeds the commercial harvest for some species 8. Other research indicates fishing can have a considerable influence on the demographic structure of many species, particularly those targeted by fishers 9. These impacts can in turn influence the health and biodiversity of Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Fish in Moreton Bay are migratory. Why exclude fishing from green zones?

Green zones protect food sources, habitat and breeding areas for migratory species and all the other non-migratory plants and animals from all extractive activities and developments.

Why not allow “catch and release” fishing in green zones?

Catch and release fishing is not consistent with the intent of green zones as “no take” areas. For a number of reasons, including the skill of the angler, the species caught and the release location, a number of fish which are caught and released do not survive.

Allowing this type of fishing in a green zone would also add significant costs to enforcement and compliance as any person fishing in a green zone would need to be approached to determine if they were tagging fish or fishing. It would also need to be proven that any fish on board a vessel were caught outside the green zone.

What is the purpose of yellow zones?

Conservation park zones, or yellow zones, protect biodiversity in areas of conservation value. Yellow zones may link two green zones or include areas such as spawning aggregation sites for fish. In these zones extractive activities such as development and some forms of line, pot and net fishing are limited. The provisions relating to line and pot fishing apply to all users, whether commercial or recreational, in yellow zones.

What line fishing gear can I use in a yellow zone?

In a yellow zone line fishing is limited to one line per person and one hook per line. A hook includes:

How must fishing gear be stowed and secured?

When travelling through a green zone all fishing equipment on board a vessel must be stowed and secured. This means that any hand lines or hand-held rods must be inboard the vessel or stored in rod holders. Hooks can still be attached to the line and should be secured to the hand line or rod. No part of the line or any fishing equipment may be in the water.

There are specific requirements for stowing equipment used by commercial trawl fishing vessels when navigating through a green zone. This includes ensuring that:

What if I have fish onboard when travelling through a green zone?

You can travel through a green zone with fish on board your vessel, provided the fish were caught outside the green zone and all fishing gear is stowed and secured.

How will I know where the zone boundaries are?

In the final zoning plan, zone boundaries will be described by geographic coordinates or depth contours. Where possible, zone boundaries will be aligned to north/south, east/west configurations. In areas adjacent to the coast, boundaries will also be described with reference to recognisable features where possible so a GPS will not be necessary.

How will the zones be enforced?

Effective compliance and enforcement are essential in ensuring the zoning plan is effective. Where possible, the zone boundaries will be simplified and aligned with geological features to help users and enforcement staff easily identify particular areas. Enforcement agencies will also work together to increase monitoring and compliance in the marine park.

A public education and awareness program will be conducted prior to the zoning plan commencing to provide marine park users with information about the new zoning arrangements.

What penalties apply for offences conducted in the marine park?

For breaches of the zoning plan, Marine Parks Act 2004 or Marine Parks Regulation 2006, including fishing in a green zone or disregarding “go slow” area requirements, an infringement notice may be issued. If the matter then proceeds to a court hearing a Magistrate will allocate the penalty.

Will displaced fishing effort put other areas under more pressure?

Based on information gathered and analysed in stage one of the review process, green zones have been positioned to impact as little as possible on existing fishing patterns in the marine park. An analysis of more than 15,000 recreational fishing trip surveys indicates that the proposed green zones will affect only five percent of recreational fishing trips.

Where possible, zone boundaries take into consideration existing DPI & F fisheries closures to different fishing activities. Many zones on the western boundary of the marine park including HPZ04, HPZ06, MNP09, MNP12 and MNP13 all align with existing permanent trawl closures. The offshore boundaries of zones adjacent to North and South Stradbroke Islands including HPZ10, MNP25, CPZ10, MNP32 and HPZ12 are also aligned to complement existing DPI & F seasonal trawl closures.

For the commercial fishery, a structural adjustment package will be available to operators affected by the new zoning. This package aims to maintain fishing effort in the areas remaining open at the same levels currently experienced. The EPA will continue to work with DPI & F, the Government agency responsible for fisheries management, to ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries in Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Who will be eligible for the Structural Adjustment Package?

Only commercial fisheries will be eligible to apply for the Moreton Bay Marine Park Structural Adjustment Package (MBMP SAP). The MBMP SAP aims to minimise the impacts associated with displaced commercial fishing effort as a result of the new zoning plan. It will be used to purchase current commercial fishing boat licences or commercial harvest fishery licences, all associated fishery symbols and, where appropriate, quota and effort units.

What about indigenous people hunting?

Traditional owners have an important spiritual and cultural connection with Moreton Bay and have rights and interests over land and sea country within the marine park, including rights for fishing and hunting. The EPA is talking to traditional owners to develop management arrangements for the traditional use of resources within the marine park.

Under the Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 1997, “traditional hunting” means collecting, other than for recreational or commercial purposes, by a traditional inhabitant of Moreton Bay. For example, traditional hunting may be undertaken for ceremonies and gatherings of cultural importance, for which turtle, dugong and others species were traditionally taken and used.

Has the government considered the proposal developed by the Moreton Bay Access Alliance?

The Moreton Bay Access Alliance (MBAA) has conducted an independent review of the zoning plan in parallel with the EPA process. The work conducted by MBAA has focussed on the areas of interest released by the EPA in August 2007 to guide discussions with industry organisations. The proposal also uses the EPA broad scale habitat model.

The MBAA green zones show almost 70% alignment with the proposed green zones in the draft zoning plan. The MBAA areas that do not align either face constraints unknown to the MBAA such as oyster leases or mooring areas, or have lesser environmental values that do not address the Scientific Guiding Principles.

Further reading

1 Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) (2007) The science of marine reserves (2nd edition, International version), viewed 8 January 2008, <http://www.piscoweb.org>.

2 Pillans, S. (2006) Effectiveness of no-take marine reserves in Moreton Bay, subtropical Australia, PhD Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane.

3 Pillans, S., Pillans, R.D., Johnstone, R.W., Kraft, P.K., Haywood, M.D.E. & Possingham, H.P. (2005) “Effects of marine reserve protection on the mud crab Scylla serrata: in a sex-biased fishery in subtropical Australia”, Marine Ecology Progress Series 295:201-213.

4 Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) (2007) The science of marine reserves (2nd edition, International version), viewed 8 January 2008, <http://www.piscoweb.org>.

5 Mapstone, B. D., Davies, C. R., Higgs, J. B. & Welch, D. J. (1996) The effect of reopening Bramble Reef to bottom fishing on fishing behaviour and catch rates of commercial and recreational line fishers: Proceedings of 2nd World Fisheries Congress, Vol. 1: 24, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

6 DPI & F (2006) 2004 biennial recreational fishing telephone survey of Queensland residents, State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.

7 EPA (2003) State of the environment Queensland 2003, State of Queensland, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.

8 McPhee, D.P., Leadbitter, D. Skilleter, G.A. (2002) “Swallowing the bait: Is recreational fishing in Australia ecologically sustainable?” Pacific Conservation Biology 8 (1): 40-51.

9 Buxton, C., Barrett, N., Haddon, M., Gardner, C., Edgar, G. (2006) Evaluating the effectiveness of marine protected areas as a fisheries management tool, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, University of Tasmania, Tasmania.

Last updated: 21 January 2008



Moreton Bay Marine Park, our bay our future

This information sheet answers common questions about the Moreton Bay Marine Park draft zoning plan.

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