12 – Planning and Managing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
117
Different sections of the GBRMP were progressively
zoned, and by the late 1990s, approximately 15 800 km
2
(~4.6%) of the GBRMP were zoned as No-Take Areas
(Marine National Park Zones), with a further 450 km
2
(~ 0.13% of the GBRMP) set aside for scientific baselines as ‘no-go’ areas (Preservation Zones). Over the
last 30 years there has been a huge growth in scientific
understanding of ecological aspects of the GBR, including ecosystem processes, connectivity, and the relationships between species and the physical environment.
Having good relationships with scientists helps the
GBRMPA access the best available information for
decision-making that is essential to high quality,
scientifically-based management of the GBRMP. A list
of research priorities for the management of the
GBRMP has been compiled, and, whenever possible,
the GBRMPA applies an adaptive management
approach, using the best information available and if
necessary erring on the side of caution.
Other management tools (outlined in the Conclusion) are used in conjunction with zoning to help
achieve ecological protection and other management
objectives. The GBRMP has always relied on this range
of tools, but zoning has long been regarded as the cornerstone of effective planning and management.
N WHY WAS THE GBR REZONED?
In the mid-late 1990s, there were concerns that the existing zoning did not adequately protect the range of
biodiversity known to exist within the GBRMP. Furthermore, the zoning was inadequate to ensure that the
entire ecosystem remained healthy, productive and
resilient into the future. The location of most of the
original highly protected zones reflected a historical
focus on virtually only one habitat type (i.e. coral
reefs), with a skewed emphasis in the more remote and
‘pristine’ areas.
Between May 1999 and December 2003, the GBRMPA
undertook a comprehensive planning and consultative
program to develop a new zoning plan for the GBRMP. A
primary aim of the program was to better protect the range
of biodiversity in the GBR, by increasing the extent of
No-Take Areas (locally known as ‘green zones’), ensuring
they included ‘representative’ examples of all the different
habitat types, otherwise known as bioregions (Box 12.1)
(hence the name, the Representative Areas Program or
RAP). A further aim was to maximise positive and minimise negative impacts on the users of the GBRMP. Scientific input, community involvement and agency innovation
all contributed to achieving these aims.
During the rezoning program, all components of the
existing Zoning Plans were open for comment and alteration. Given the previous and existing Zoning Plans
had all been progressively developed over 17 years,
some of the terms, management provisions, zone names
and zone objectives differed slightly between various
parts of the GBRMP. A new single Zoning Plan was
therefore developed for the entire GBRMP enabling the
planners to also address various important planning
tasks, including:
L zoning 28 new coastal sections that were added to
the GBRMP in 2000 and 2001;
L standardising terminology to make it consistent
throughout, and
L implementation of simpler co-ordinate-based descriptions for all zone boundaries.
BOX 12.1 GLOSSARY
bioregion. An area with habitats, communities (e.g. areas of seagrass) and physical features (e.g. sediment type, depth) that are more similar within the bioregion than those
occurring in other bioregions.
No-Take Area/No-Take Zone. A zone or area where extractive activities are not permitted
(see also Table 12.1).
117
Different sections of the GBRMP were progressively
zoned, and by the late 1990s, approximately 15 800 km
2
(~4.6%) of the GBRMP were zoned as No-Take Areas
(Marine National Park Zones), with a further 450 km
2
(~ 0.13% of the GBRMP) set aside for scientific baselines as ‘no-go’ areas (Preservation Zones). Over the
last 30 years there has been a huge growth in scientific
understanding of ecological aspects of the GBR, including ecosystem processes, connectivity, and the relationships between species and the physical environment.
Having good relationships with scientists helps the
GBRMPA access the best available information for
decision-making that is essential to high quality,
scientifically-based management of the GBRMP. A list
of research priorities for the management of the
GBRMP has been compiled, and, whenever possible,
the GBRMPA applies an adaptive management
approach, using the best information available and if
necessary erring on the side of caution.
Other management tools (outlined in the Conclusion) are used in conjunction with zoning to help
achieve ecological protection and other management
objectives. The GBRMP has always relied on this range
of tools, but zoning has long been regarded as the cornerstone of effective planning and management.
N WHY WAS THE GBR REZONED?
In the mid-late 1990s, there were concerns that the existing zoning did not adequately protect the range of
biodiversity known to exist within the GBRMP. Furthermore, the zoning was inadequate to ensure that the
entire ecosystem remained healthy, productive and
resilient into the future. The location of most of the
original highly protected zones reflected a historical
focus on virtually only one habitat type (i.e. coral
reefs), with a skewed emphasis in the more remote and
‘pristine’ areas.
Between May 1999 and December 2003, the GBRMPA
undertook a comprehensive planning and consultative
program to develop a new zoning plan for the GBRMP. A
primary aim of the program was to better protect the range
of biodiversity in the GBR, by increasing the extent of
No-Take Areas (locally known as ‘green zones’), ensuring
they included ‘representative’ examples of all the different
habitat types, otherwise known as bioregions (Box 12.1)
(hence the name, the Representative Areas Program or
RAP). A further aim was to maximise positive and minimise negative impacts on the users of the GBRMP. Scientific input, community involvement and agency innovation
all contributed to achieving these aims.
During the rezoning program, all components of the
existing Zoning Plans were open for comment and alteration. Given the previous and existing Zoning Plans
had all been progressively developed over 17 years,
some of the terms, management provisions, zone names
and zone objectives differed slightly between various
parts of the GBRMP. A new single Zoning Plan was
therefore developed for the entire GBRMP enabling the
planners to also address various important planning
tasks, including:
L zoning 28 new coastal sections that were added to
the GBRMP in 2000 and 2001;
L standardising terminology to make it consistent
throughout, and
L implementation of simpler co-ordinate-based descriptions for all zone boundaries.
BOX 12.1 GLOSSARY
bioregion. An area with habitats, communities (e.g. areas of seagrass) and physical features (e.g. sediment type, depth) that are more similar within the bioregion than those
occurring in other bioregions.
No-Take Area/No-Take Zone. A zone or area where extractive activities are not permitted
(see also Table 12.1).