Five Islands
Royal National Park
Cabbage Tree Creek
Shiprock
Boat Harbour
Towra Point
Cape Banks
Bronte-Coogee
Nielson Park
Chowder Bay
Camp Cove
North Harbour
Cabbage Tree Bay
Long Reef
Narrabeen Head
Barrenjoey Head
Lion Island
Bouddi
Ex-HMAS Adelaide
Forresters
Tuggerah Bay
Intertidal Protected Areas
Bird Island
Norah Head
OFFSHORE ARTIFICIAL REEFS
Proposed Marine Park (2018)
Marine Bioregion
Sanctuary Zones
Special Purpose Zones
Conservation Zones
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Summary
There are currently nine IPAs in the Hawkesbury Bioregion: Bungan Headland, Mona Vale Headland, Dee Why Headland, Shelly Beach Headland, Sydney Harbour, Bondi, Long Bay, Inscription Point, and Cabbage Tree Point (Port Hacking). These IPAs extend from the mean high water mark to 10 metres seaward of the mean low water mark. They protect all species of cunjevoi and invertebrates except abalone, eastern rock lobster (Sagmariasus verreauxi) and southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii).
IPAs are currently managed by a fishing closure under the Fisheries Management Act 1994. It is proposed to transfer management of these areas to special purpose zones; the aim is to reduce legislation volume and complexity in the bioregion. No changes to rules or boundaries are proposed.
Proposed Managment Rules
No changes to management rules or closure boundaries are proposed, other than changes discussed at: Shelly Beach Headland and the part of Sydney Harbour IPA covered by proposed new areas at North Harbour, Chowder Bay, Camp Cove, and Nielsen Park.
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Summary
There are currently two offshore artificial reefs in the Hawkesbury bioregion, and two more are approved to be deployed. It is proposed to establish special purpose zones at each of these four areas.
Proposed Management Rules
It is proposed to establish a 21 hectare special purpose zone surrounding the Sydney Artificial Reef, a 42 hectare special purpose zone around the Southern Sydney Artificial Reef, and 22 hectare special purpose zones at the Newcastle and Wollongong Artificial Reef locations; this will formalise the management rules that are currently in place as a code of conduct. No changes to management rules are proposed.
Summary
A 674 hectare sanctuary zone is proposed around Bird Island, incorporating significant areas of shallow reef (0–20 metres) and deep reef (more than 20 metres).
Proposed Management Rules
It is proposed to prohibit the removal of or harm to marine biodiversity from moderate-high risk activities to habitats, fish assemblages and threatened and protected species. This includes fishing of any kind (commercial and recreational), hand gathering and collecting. Spearfishing and charter fishing, although assessed as low risk, would also be prohibited to provide comprehensive protection for fish assemblages and threatened and protected marine species and to maintain the value of the site as a scientific reference site.
Some activities would continue because they present a minimal–low risk to fish assemblages and threatened and protected marine species. The activities include swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, recreational boating and Aboriginal cultural use.
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Summary
A 20 hectare sanctuary zone is proposed on the northern side of Norah Head, immediately east of the boat ramp. The area includes intertidal rocky shores, beaches and shallow subtidal reef.
Proposed Management Rules
The removal or harm of marine biodiversity and habitats would be prohibited in this sanctuary zone, including fishing of any kind, and hand gathering or collecting. Spearfishing and charter fishing would also be prohibited to provide comprehensive protection for fish assemblages and threatened and protected marine species and to maintain the value of the area as a scientific reference site.
Activities that can continue in this zone are those identified as presenting a minimal–low risk to fish assemblages and to threatened and protected marine species. Examples of these activities include swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, recreational boating and Aboriginal cultural use.
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Summary
A 461 hectare sanctuary zone is proposed along the shoreline of Tuggerah Bay to better conserve the dense seagrass beds in the shallow waters.
Proposed Management Rules
Moderate–high risk activities, such as fishing, hand gathering and collecting, would be prohibited. Some activities identified as minimal–low risk would continue, such as swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, Aboriginal cultural use and recreational boating (noting that anchoring in seagrass is not permitted).
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Summary
A large site is proposed, covering a total of 3430 hectares. This consists of a 586 hectare sanctuary zone along the shoreline, from the southern end of Bateau Bay south to the entrance to Wamberal Lagoon (and the lagoon itself), and seaward to the 20 metre depth contour. Seaward of this, it is proposed to establish a 2844 hectare conservation zone, extending from the 20 metre depth contour out to three nautical miles .
Proposed Management Rules
All extractive activities would be prohibited in the proposed sanctuary zone except for Aboriginal cultural use . In the proposed conservation zone, all fishing would be prohibited except for lobster and abalone fishing and Aboriginal cultural use.
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Summary
The Ex-HMAS Adelaide is a former Australian naval warship that was sunk to create an artificial dive reef off Avoca Beach on the Central Coast. It sits in approximately 30 metres of water. The nine hectare site around the wreck is currently managed by way of a Crown Reserve under the Crown Lands Act 1989. Fishing activities are prohibited under several fisheries management regulations under the Fisheries Management Act 1994.
Proposed Management Rules
It is proposed to introduce a sanctuary zone and repeal the existing fishing regulations to reduce the volume and complexity of regulations in the bioregion.
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Summary
An expansion to the existing closure is proposed, covering the shoreline from the southern headland of Little Beach, south-west along the shoreline to Gerrin Point, and seaward to include an area of 1484 hectares. This area would include deep rocky reefs as part of a continuous reef system extending from the shoreline to depths of around 40 metres.
Proposed Management Rules
The removal of, or harm to, marine life and habitats would be prohibited, including fishing by any method, hand gathering and collecting marine organisms throughout the proposed Bouddi site. These restrictions would provide comprehensive protection for fish assemblages, marine vegetation and threatened and protected marine species. The proposal would help to maintain the areas value as a scientific reference site. Activities that are minimal–low risk, such as swimming, snorkelling, diving, recreational boating and Aboriginal cultural use would continue.
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Summary
A special purpose zone is proposed covering a 45 hectare area within 200 metres of
the Island.
Proposed Management Rules
Vessel speed restrictions (8 knots) are proposed in all waters within 200 metres of Lion Island to reduce the chance of vessel strike to little penguins. Hand gathering and collecting marine vegetation would be prohibited.
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Summary
The proposed special purpose zone would extend the current Barrenjoey Head Aquatic Reserve to cover a total area of 133 hectares and include the adjacent seagrass, including the endangered population of Posidonia australis.
Proposed Management Rules
Fishing rules that apply to the existing aquatic reserve would be adopted in the proposed special purpose zone. Boating and moorings at the site would be reviewed and restrictions developed with boating stakeholders to reduce damage to seagrass from propellers and moorings. Anchoring in seagrass would not be permitted. Aboriginal cultural use and recreational activities, such as swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving, would continue
to be permitted.
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Summary
It is proposed to establish a special purpose zone to replace the existing aquatic reserve. No changes to management rules are proposed.
Proposed Management Rules
The proposed seven hectare special purpose zone would maintain the existing boundaries and current fishing rules, with continued access to the reserve as an educational area and for Aboriginal cultural use. The assessment found that there were limited opportunities for further threat reduction at the site as it has limited subtidal environmental assets. There is also little opportunity for further enhancing social and cultural benefits.
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Summary
The proposed special purpose zone would expand the existing Long Reef Aquatic Reserve to include the adjacent subtidal reef. It is proposed to establish this zone as a site managed for sustainable recreational fishing.
Proposed Management Rules
A 514 hectare special purpose zone is proposed at Long Reef. This would incorporate the current aquatic reserve and extend the current rules of the reserve, which permit line or spearfishing for finfish (fish with a backbone) only, and prohibit the collection of all marine invertebrates and plants whether dead or alive except for Aboriginal cultural use. Other management methods that address the threats caused by recreational fishing are to be trialled at this site in consultation with recreational fishers. Examples include catch-and-release fishing, gear-based restrictions, and specific bag and size limits.
Proposed Management Rules
The proposal to extend the current reserve to 250 metres north-west of Blue Fish Point would prohibit all extractive activities in this zone except for Aboriginal cultural use. This zone would also replace the existing Shelly Beach Headland IPA, which would increase protection of marine life and reduce the complexity of regulations.
Anchoring in seagrass habitat in Cabbage Tree Bay would also be restricted. Seagrass generally occurs at depths of eight metres or shallower, so anchoring inside much of Cabbage Tree Bay itself would be prohibited. Courtesy moorings (including environmentally friendly moorings) or a designated anchoring area could be considered to manage boating access and use.
The proposed seven hectare special purpose zone at Blue Fish Point would prohibit hand gathering of marine invertebrates, except for lobster and abalone.
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Summary
The proposed site extends the current Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve to Blue Fish Point. The protected area would include a 52 hectare sanctuary zone that extends the current reserve from Shelly Beach Headland to 250 metres north-west of Blue Fish Point and a seven hectare special purpose zone at Blue Fish Point.
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Proposed Management Rules
Recreational fishing and boating would be permitted in the special purpose zone, although existing restrictions on spearfishing and lobster fishing would continue. Line fishing would no longer be restricted to finfish and would now include species such as squid. Other forms of hand gathering, including abalone fishing and collecting marine vegetation, would be prohibited. All forms of commercial fishing would be prohibited in this zone. Aboriginal cultural use and other low-risk activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling would be permitted in this zone.
In the proposed Fairlight and Spring Cove sanctuary zones, the removal or harm of marine biodiversity and habitats would be prohibited, including fishing by any method, hand gathering and collecting marine vegetation except for Aboriginal cultural use. Anchoring would be prohibited in seagrass areas to prevent damage to the endangered Posidonia australis seagrass, and courtesy moorings would remain in place. Little penguin critical habitat areas would be included in the Spring Cove Sanctuary Zone.
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Summary
The proposed site extends the current North Harbour Aquatic Reserve (left map) to include all of North Harbour (right map). Three new zones would be created: a 325 hectare special purpose zone, and two sanctuary zones with a combined area of 51 hectares, one at Fairlight and the other at Spring Cove.
Summary
An 11 hectare site is proposed at Camp Cove, including Camp Cove Beach and Laings Point.
Proposed Management Rules
In the proposed sanctuary zone, the removal or harm of marine biodiversity would be prohibited, including fishing by any method, anchoring in seagrass areas, harm to marine animals or plants, or collecting marine organisms whether dead or alive. Permissible activities would include those that are minimal–low risk, such as recreational boating, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and Aboriginal cultural use. Courtesy moorings would be considered to manage boating access in areas away from seagrass and scuba divers.
Summary
A 13 hectare site is proposed for Chowder Head and part of Chowder Bay, excluding the area immediately around the swimming enclosure jetty.
Proposed Management Rules
A 13 hectare sanctuary zone is proposed for Chowder Head and part of Chowder Bay. In this zone, the removal or harm of marine biodiversity would be prohibited, including fishing by any method, anchoring in seagrass areas, harm to marine animals or plants, or collecting marine organisms whether dead or alive. Permissible activities would include those that are
minimal–low risk, such as swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and Aboriginal cultural use.
A 1 hectare special purpose zone is proposed for the area surrounding the jetty and swimming enclosure. In this zone, recreational line fishing would be permitted but spearfishing and hand gathering would be prohibited, in line with current management rules.
Summary
A 17 hectare site is proposed extending north from Steele Point, including Shark Beach, and Bottle and Glass Point.
Proposed Management Rules
In the proposed sanctuary zone, the removal or harm of marine biodiversity would be prohibited, including fishing by any method, hand gathering or collecting marine organisms (whether dead or alive). Permissible activities would include those that are minimal–low risk, such as swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and Aboriginal cultural use. Recreational boating would be permitted, but anchoring in seagrass areas would be prohibited.
Proposed Management Rules
The proposed site consists of a 676 hectare sanctuary zone and a 1352 hectare conservation zone. It replaces the existing aquatic reserve, fishing closure and the South Bondi (Mackenzies Point) IPA.
The proposed sanctuary zone extends from the south end of Bondi Beach to the north end of Coogee Beach and seaward to the 50-metre depth contour. No fishing of any sort would be permitted in this zone except for Aboriginal cultural use.
Seaward of the 50-metre depth contour, a conservation zone would extend to the three-nautical-mile limit of state waters. Fishing for lobster and abalone would be permitted in the proposed conservation zone, but other types of fishing would be prohibited except for Aboriginal cultural use.
Activities identified as minimal–low risk can continue in both zones, including recreational boating, snorkelling and scuba diving.
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Summary
A large, 2028 hectare site is proposed for the area from South Bondi to the northern end of Coogee Beach and three nautical miles seaward. This proposed area expands on the existing Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve and South Bondi IPA.
Summary
The proposed site expands the existing aquatic reserve seaward so it incorporates adjacent shallow and deep reef areas to cover a total of 69 hectares.
Proposed Management Rules
The proposed sanctuary zone covers 69 hectares and would replace the existing Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve. All fishing would be prohibited in this zone except collection for scientific research purposes by permit and Aboriginal cultural use. Some activities identified as presenting a minimal–low risk to fish assemblages and threatened and protected marine species would continue in this zone. This includes snorkelling and scuba diving, and recreational boating.
Proposed Management Rules
The proposed reserve maintains the existing sanctuary zone (556 hectares), but it also extends the boundaries of the existing refuge zone to incorporate additional adjacent Posidonia australis seagrass and shore bird habitat as a special purpose zone (1241 hectares).
In the sanctuary zone, removal or harm of marine biodiversity is prohibited, including fishing by any method, harm to marine animals or plants, anchoring in seagrass, hand gathering or collecting marine organisms whether dead or alive except for Aboriginal cultural use.
In the proposed special purpose zone, subject to other NSW fishing rules and regulations, fish could be taken by recreational hand-held lines and crab traps. Crab traps are preferred to witches hats and hoop nets that are currently permitted in the refuge zone. Hand gathering and collecting would be prohibited. Anchoring would be permitted outside seagrass areas. Aquaculture on leases that were included in the original aquatic reserve declared in 1987 would continue.
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Summary
A large site is proposed, covering 1448 hectares. This proposed area expands on the existing Towra Point Aquatic Reserve.
Site Objectives
The primary objectives for the proposed Norah Head site are to:
- enhance the conservation of marine biodiversity
- enhance the intrinsic benefits derived by the community from the marine estate
- enhance bequest values for current and future generations
- reduce conflicts between users of the marine estate
- provide enhanced recreational experiences for particular user groups
- provide baseline monitoring areas (scientific reference sites)
- promote stewardship of the marine estate.
Summary
It is proposed to establish a special purpose zone at the existing aquatic reserve. No changes to management rules are proposed.
Proposed Management Rules
The proposed site maintains the existing boundaries and management arrangements of the current reserve with these rules applied to a 65 hectare special purpose zone.
Summary
It is proposed to establish a sanctuary zone to replace the existing aquatic reserve. No changes to management rules are proposed.
Proposed Management Rules
Current management rules would be continued to help address threats and realise benefits at this site.
Proposed Management Rules
In this zone, removal or harm of marine biodiversity is prohibited, including fishing by any method, anchoring in seagrass areas, harm to marine animals or plants, or collecting marine organisms whether dead or alive.
Permissible activities would include those that are minimal–low risk, such as recreational boating, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and Aboriginal cultural use.
Summary
A 23 hectare sanctuary zone is proposed, incorporating all of Cabbage Tree Creek and The Basin.
Summary
An 85 hectare conservation zone is proposed for the area from Martin Head southwards to the northern end of Garie Beach, including Wattamolla Beach and Wattamolla Lagoon, and 100 metres seaward from the mean high water mark.
Proposed Management Rules
Activities that can continue in this zone present a minimal–low risk to fish assemblages and threatened and protected marine species listed under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 or Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Examples of these activities include snorkelling, scuba diving, recreational boating, Aboriginal cultural use and lobster and abalone fishing.
In this zone, moderate–high risk activities are prohibited because of impacts on marine biodiversity, such as habitats, fish assemblages, and threatened and protected species. These activities include recreational shore and boat-based line and trap fishing, hand gathering, collecting marine vegetation and commercial fishing from the Ocean Trap and Line and Sea Urchin and Turban Shell fisheries. Spearfishing would be prohibited to address user conflict between spearfishers and swimmers.
Summary
Two zones are proposed: a small, 123 hectare sanctuary zone around Flinders Islet, and a 1263 hectare special purpose zone around the other four islands in the group.
Proposed Management Rules
The Flinders Islet sanctuary zone would prohibit all fishing except Aboriginal cultural use.
The special purpose zone would prohibit the collection of marine vegetation, cunjevoi or any marine invertebrates except abalone and rock lobster. Access to the foreshore of the offshore islands would also be restricted.
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