Cruise Shipping within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

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Cruise Shipping within the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park
Andrew Skeat Executive Director
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Protecting one of the worlds natural wonders
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Protecting one of the worlds natural wonders
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GBR Cruise Shipping

• 20 of world fleet permitted to operate in the
  GBR (35 permits)
• 1 cruise ship is Australian flagged

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GBR Cruise Shipping

• 600 ship nights per year
• 40 ships

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The Platform for Access

• GBRMP is multiple use
• Established by GBRMP Act
• Goal is protection, wise use, enjoyment and
  understanding

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Management Framework

• Zoning Plan

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Designated Shipping Area
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Management Framework

• Permits
• Case by case impact assessment
• Compulsory anchorages
• Tailored permits
• Charges

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Management Framework

• Plans of Management
• High use areas - Cairns Area, Whitsundays
  Hinchinbrook
• Ensures diversity of experience and activities
• For all users establishes settings for group
  size, vessel size limits, and capped
  opportunities
• Cruise ships must use local operators

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Management Framework

• Compulsory pilotage
• Compulsory anchorages near reefs
• 25 Anchorages designated, individual applications
  assessed
• Bookings required one only at a time

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Management Framework

• Partnerships
• Best practice use eg. anchoring, fuel transfer,
  waste disposal, marine wildlife watching
• Industry participation in planning partnership
  programs
• Transit corridors

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Moving on from here
PROTECTION
PRESENTATION

• Risk assessment
• Policy development
• Simplified permits

• Better information
• More interpretation
• Best practice

PARTNERSHIP

• Developing partnerships
• Reporting incidents
• More training

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Management Framework

• Questions?