The Great Barrier Reef : maritime spatial planning

Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) relates to the protection of the marine environment from various threats such as pollution, drilling, unsustainable fishing and tourism activities through effective management plans and strategies. One of the pioneer examples of MSP is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP), Australia. The adoption of the Commonwealth's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 is a significant milestone in that it provides a strong legislative base for the protection and management of marine and coastal resources in the Great Barrier Reef Region. The objective of this paper is to critically evaluate the applications and shortcomings of the Marine Park Act in implementing MSP effectively. The paper commences with a description of the essence of MSP and its relationship with ecosystem-based management and zoning, as well as a brief description of the GBRMP. The paper moves on to provide an overview of the Marine Park Act, as well as the "Intergovernmental Agreement" between the Australian federal government and the government of the state of Queensland.