Spearfishing confusion near Cape Upstart National Park

11:19 AM Sun 22 Feb 2009 GMT

'Whitetip reef shark swiming in amongst the coral. Photo courtesy of GBRMPA Images' ARC Centre of Excellence Coral Reef Studies &copy

People planning to go spearfishing near Cape Upstart National Park are reminded to brush up on zoning to ensure they know where spearfishing is allowed in this area.

Throughout the Marine Park, limited spearfishing (with a spear or speargun and snorkel only) is allowed in Yellow Zones except where the zone is also a Public Appreciation Special Management Area.

Public Appreciation Special Management Areas are identified by a pink dashed line around this area on Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Zoning Maps.

A Public Appreciation Special Management Area is located in the Yellow Zone on the western side of the National Park and spearfishing is not allowed in this location.

Spearfishing is allowed in the Yellow Zone at the northern part of Cape Upstart National Park as this is not part of the Public Appreciation Special Management Area.

Spearfishers are encouraged to take free Zoning Maps with them when heading out on the water so they know where they can go and what they can do - free maps are widely available.

Even people who go out on the water regularly should take time to check the activities guide on the maps to refresh their knowledge of what they can and can't do in particular areas.

Penalties apply for not following the zoning rules so it is important to make sure you know and understand the zoning for the areas you're planning to visit.

Free zoning maps are widely available from bait and tackle shops, visitor information centres, ship chandlers and Environmental Protection Agency and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol offices. Alternatively call the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 1800 990 177 for a free map.

by Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Newsfeed supplied by