NSW Department of Primary Industries

Respecting the reserve

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What can you do at Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve?

Enjoy the water. Swim, snorkel, dive, surf, or take underwater photographs.

Explore and appreciate. Explore the intertidal area or just take in the beauty of this place.

Study marine life. Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve is popular with marine researchers.

Take a tour. Explore the area with one of the local snorkelling or scuba diving operators.

What can’t you do at Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve?

To help conserve Cabbage Tree Bay, no fishing is permissible by any method, no animals or marine plants (whether alive or dead) can be caught, collected or interfered with in this aquatic reserve.

Dead plants and animals provide habitat and/or food for other living things, for example, a hermit crab will use an old shell for protection, animals will live in kelp washed up on the shore.

Please follow the rules.

Don’t:

❌ fish by any method

❌ collect or damage marine animals or plants whether alive or dead (including shells)

❌ touch, chase, move or disturb marine animals or plants, including interfering with swimming patterns

❌ feed fish or other marine animals by any method

❌ turn over or move rocks

Please do:

✅ Respect marine life and keep your distance.

✅ Walk carefully to avoid damaging or disturbing the animals and plants.

✅ Take your litter with you – better still, Take 3 For The Sea.

✅ Respect other people using this area.

✅ Report sightings of aquatic threatened species e.g. Greynurse  sharks, Black rockcod online: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/threatened-species/report-it.

Please report:

  • Illegal activities, including damage to aquatic habitats to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536 or online www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/report-illegal-activity.
  • Water pollution or fish kills to the local council or the Environment Line 131 555.
  • Maritime and boating safety issues 13 12 36.
  • Suspected aquatic pests or diseases to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline 1800 675 888 or email aquatic.biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
  • Injured or sick marine mammals, reptiles or seabirds to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation group or National Parks and Wildlife on 1300 072 757.

Download the FishSmart app

Download the FishSmart app for all essential information you need to fish in NSW.

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www.dpi.nsw.gov.au