Fish flourish in Barrier Reef Green Zones

www.gbrmpa.gov.au  

Coral trout numbers on protected offshore reefs are already higher as a result of the new Zoning

Plan, according to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, and

Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop.

Senator Campbell said data from recent monitoring indicated the new Green Zones throughout

the Great Barrier Reef were showing substantive positive benefits.

The monitoring initiated by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, as part of the

monitoring of the Zoning Plan, clearly indicated the Green Zones established in mid-2004 in the

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park were having a positive effect even faster than scientists expected.

The work was carried out by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and James Cook

University and supported in part by funding from the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research

Facility.

Senator Campbell said these early positive results were great news for the long-term future of the

Great Barrier Reef and positive news for the many users of the Marine Park.

"These results are very encouraging and I am sure this will be of particular interest to recreational

and commercial fishermen. They will also be reassuring to tourism operations that rely on fish size

and numbers to enhance the experiences of divers and visitors to the Great Barrier Reef," Senator

Campbell said.

"The amount of both coral trout and stripey sea perch on protected inshore reefs in the

Whitsunday Islands have also increased since the new Zoning Plan was introduced in July 2004.

"Fish stocks are likely to be enhanced and benefit tourism and fishing through improved health

of the overall Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. As an additional benefit, it is likely to be an increased

spill-over of adult fish and the transfer of juvenile fish from Green Zones to zones open to fishing.

“There will be ongoing reporting of what is happening with other popular species such as sweetlip

and red emperor. The results also indicate the compliance programme designed to protect the

Reef is working well."

Minister Bishop congratulated the researchers at AIMS and James Cook University on their efforts

in working with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

www.gbrmpa.gov.au