The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is located off the northeastern coast of Australia bordering the Coral Sea. It is the world’s largest coral reef system and extends about 2010 km roughly parallel to Queensland’s coast. The reef is made up of nearly 3000 individual coral reefs and some 300 small coral islands, which include at least 350 species of coral. It is also a World Heritage Listed Site.

There are approximately 1500 species of fish to be found around the Reef, with many other marine animals including sharks, sea snakes, whales, dolphins, sea turtles and giant clams. You can explore the reef via snorkeling, scuba diving, passenger ferries, fishing charters, helicopter tours, whale watching and swimming with the whales, kayaking, bare-boats, taking a glass-bottomed boat or just going swimming.

Fishing on the Reef

The Great Barrier Reef offers many exciting and different fishing opportunities. Although one should always practise responsible fishing to protect the natural environment and maintain the ecological balance, there some extra guidelines when fishing in a marine park. These include not removing, interfering or killing protected fish species in the Great Barrier Reef Park. Fishers must also abide by the fishing zone requirements:

• General Use Zone (light blue) and Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) : maximum 3 lines/rods per person to a total of 6 hooks.
• Conservation Park Zone (yellow): 1 line/rod with 1 hook per person.
• Buffer Zone (olive green): same as General Use, but trolling for pelagic species only.
• Scientific Research (orange), Marine National Park (dark green) and Preservation Zones (pink) : no fishing allowed.

Responsible reef practices include taking only what you need, not fishing where fish feeding takes place, return all unwanted or undersized fish quickly, not using pest or non-native fish for bait. If you’re unsure of the fish identity or size it should be returned to the water immediately. By fishing responsibly you can have fun without harming the marine environment and the life it supports.