Understanding Zoning in Australian Marine Parks

Australia is home to some of the most beautiful and rare marine life in the world. It’s no wonder that there is a strong drive to protect it. But the marine parks that house this precious biodiversity simultaneously sustain a thriving tourism and recreation industry.

To navigate these areas as a responsible mariner, you will need the appropriate Australian Marine Parks maps, sourced from Boat Books—Australia’s largest specialist marine bookshop.

These maps highlight the different zones within these protected areas that you need to be cognisant of.

What is Zoning?

Zoning is a necessary way of delineating the usage and access rules for different sections of marine parks. The aim of zoning is to find a way of conserving sensitive habitats and endangered species while still supporting the sustainable use of marine resources.

It’s about balancing conservation with recreation, fishing, and tourism by ensuring that these activities take place only in designated areas. Zoning makes it possible for Australian authorities to better regulate what takes place in their waters.

Types of Zones in Australian Marine Parks

Australian marine parks are typically divided into four main types of zones. Let’s briefly unpack what they each mean for mariners.

General Use Zones

Of all the zones in Australian marine parks, general use zones are the least restrictive and allow a wide array of tourism activities, including boating, fishing, diving and more. As a general rule, all activities still need to adhere to sustainable practices to avoid harming the environment.

Special Purpose Zones

Special purpose zones are unique in that they are generally off-limits to most activities, as they have been reserved for specific purposes. These could range from indigenous cultural practices to scientific research and managing specific environmental concerns. These activities could vary widely based on the intended purpose of the zone.

Habitat Protection Zones

Habitat protection zones might allow certain sustainable, non-destructive activities, but disruptive activities that risk damaging the seabed or disturbing marine ecosystems, such as dredging, drilling, or commercial fishing, are strictly prohibited.

The aim of these zones is to protect important marine habitats and preserve biodiversity while still permitting low-impact activities such as recreational diving, boating, and limited fishing.

Sanctuary Zones

Of all the zones found in the Australian Marine Parks, sanctuary zones are the most protected. These zones don’t allow any form of extraction whatsoever. This means no recreational fishing, no collecting shells, and no picking coral. Mariners are to leave these areas alone entirely, as they are hotspots for biodiversity and considered precious.

In these zones, recreational diving and limited boating might be permitted on a permit basis, with strict requirements for sustainable and responsible behaviour while in the zone.

Having these maps in your inventory can help you navigate these areas with care and confidence. Be a responsible mariner and order your Australian Marine Parks maps today or contact us for more information.