Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve Management Plan 2014–24.

The objectives of this Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve Management Plan are intended to provide clear direction for management of the Reserve. The objectives of this Plan are to 1. provide for the protection and conservation of biodiversity and other natural and cultural values of the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve; and 2. to provide for the ecologically sustainable use of the natural resources within the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve where this is consistent with objective 1. The waters of the Reserve are considered unique for their ecological, cultural and social values and their economic contribution to the region. The industries and activities of most significance within the Reserve, include: Commercial fishing – which have a relatively small presence in the Reserve (through line, hand collection, trawl, purse seine, trap and net fisheries). Commercial shipping – which is one of Australia’s busiest shipping routes. Commercial tourism; charter fishing, indigenous values etc. are other important activities of the reserve.
This Management Plan is divided into 5 Parts as follows: Introduction (Part 1); Description of the environment, values and pressures in the Coral Sea Marine Reserve (Part 2); IUCN Categories and zoning of the Marine Reserve (Part 3); Management strategies (including 7 strategies for: the conservation of the Marine Reserve values; to minimise impacts of activities through effective environmental assessment; to facilitate compliance with this Management Plan through education and enforcement; to promote community understanding and stakeholder and Indigenous people participation in Marine Reserve management; to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of this Management Plan through monitoring - Part 4); Managing use of the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve (including: permits for allowable activities; rules for commercial shipping, fishing, tourism, mining operations, etc. - Part 5). Appendices deal with: Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve, Legislative framework for the Marine Reserve, etc.