Parks Australia has established the Australian Marine Parks alert service in partnership with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia’s Commonwealth commercial fishing industry.

What is the Australian Marine Parks alert service?

The Australian Marine Parks alert service is free tool delivered by Parks Australia aimed at avoiding non-compliance in Australian Marine Parks.

By raising awareness and promoting voluntary compliance, the alert service delivers significant cost savings to government and industry resulting from a reduction in inadvertent non-compliance.

Importantly, by alerting commercial fishing vessels that they have entered a marine park, the alert service will assist in managing the values of marine parks.

When a vessel enters an Australian Marine Park where the nominated primary gear type is not allowed, an alert message is sent via email to an onboard computer and/or as an SMS message to a nominated phone.

Alert service availability

The Australian Marine Parks alert service is now active for Commonwealth commercial fishing vessels operating in all Australian Marine Parks around Australia.

It is not currently available to state and territory licensed fishing vessels but is expected to be made available in the future.

The service is free and is available to all licensed Commonwealth commercial fishers through vessel monitoring system technology already fitted to their vessels.

How the alert works

You will get an alert when you enter the marine park only if the type of fishing method associated with your concession is not allowed in the marine park or zone.

You will not get an alert where there are no restrictions relating to your fishing method.

The alert will be sent as a message to your vessel and to the concession holder via email, mobile phone or satellite phone using the contact details you have provided to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Your responsibilities

Please be aware that the Australian Marine Parks alert service is a support tool only.

It is still the concession or licence holder’s responsibility to know where the vessel is, what you are allowed to do in that area and to have nautical charts for Australian Marine Parks on board.

What will the alert say?

A single alert will be sent when your vessel enters an Australian Marine Park or zone which prohibits that fishing method.

The alert will contain the following text:

“Your vessel [VESSEL NAME] has entered an Australian Marine Park. You are advised that [GEAR TYPE] fishing is NOT allowed in this zone.”

How will I get the alert?

The alert will be sent as an:

• email to the onboard vessel monitoring unit (via easy Mail where available)
• SMS to the relevant concession holder
• alert to any other nominated contact (e.g. dedicated vessel telephone number).

What if I’m out of range?

Coverage is dependent on a number of factors, including individual mobile coverage and technology available on the vessel.

To maximise your opportunity for using the service it is recommended that you provide the Australian Fisheries Management Authority with the most suitable contact number/s including a satellite phone or other designated number where available.

It should be noted, the alert is simply an additional tool to remind you of Australian Marine Park boundaries.

If for some reason the alert has been delayed, you are still obliged to comply with the regulations applying to that Australian Marine Park.

Will I get an alert when I leave the Australian Marine Park?

No – it is the responsibility of the concession or licence holder, or whoever has operational control of the vessel, to know when the vessel exits a marine park and fishing can recommence.

What about allowed fishing activities?

You’ll only receive an alert where the fishing method is prohibited in the marine park or zone.

This service does not change in any way allowed fishing activities, authorised under the class approval from the Director of National Parks.

For further information about the zones and rules in each marine park, check the factsheets on each network.

What if I enter an Australian Marine Park but I don’t get an alert?

The alert is simply an additional tool to remind you of Australian Marine Park boundaries.

If for some reason you don’t get an alert, you are still obliged to comply with the regulations applying to that marine park.

Any contravention of those regulations may be subject to further investigation.

What if I get an alert in error?

If an alert is received in error it does not imply a legal responsibility to comply with the message.

The alert does not take the place of the regulations applying to the Australian Marine Park.

What if I’m simply transiting an Australian Marine Park?

Transiting Australian Marine Parks is generally permitted.

The alert will remind you that you may not commence or continue fishing in the Australian Marine Park or zone.

If you do so, you may be subject to further investigation.

Some Australian Marine Parks have specific regulations that apply to transit – make sure you are aware of them.

Information regarding transiting marine parks is contained in the relevant class approval.

Contacts

Please email Parks Australia if you:

• believe you have received an alert message incorrectly
• experience any other technical issues with the Australian Marine Park alert service
• do not wish to receive Australian Marine Park alerts
• have other enquiries.

Please advise the Australian Fisheries Management Authority via the GoFISH system or email if you wish to update your details or provide additional contacts for the alert service.