Zones
Cape Byron Marine Park zones
The zones in Cape Byron Marine Park aim to conserve marine biodiversity while providing for a range of uses including beach activities, swimming, surfing, charter and recreational fishing, commercial fishing, SCUBA diving, sailing, boating, research and other activities.
Map of Cape Byron Marine Park
The marine park Zoning Map (PDF, 1895.98 KB), User Guide (PDF, 525.8 KB) and the FishSmart NSW app provide information about the zoning arrangements and management rules.
Some of the content on this page may not be fully accessible. To obtain an accessible version of this content please email marine.environment@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
Types of zones
| Zones | Description | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary zones | Provide the highest level of protection for biodiversity and natural and cultural features | Activities that do not involve harming any animal, plant or habitat including many recreational activities such as boating, surfing, snorkelling, diving and permitted research and educational activities |
| Habitat Protection zones | Protect physical and biological habitats by reducing high impact activities | Recreational and commercial activities (including recreational fishing and some forms of commercial fishing), scientific research, educational activities and other activities Species that can be taken from habitat protection zones. Species that may be taken from the Wilsons Reef and Bait Reef Habitat Protection Zone |
| General Use zones | Provide for a wide range of environmentally sustainable activities | Recreational and commercial activities (including recreational and commercial fishing), scientific research and educational activities |
| Special Purpose zones | Provide for sites requiring special management arrangements including protection of Aboriginal and other cultural features or for marine facilities, or for specific park management reasons. | Traditional Aboriginal use, aquaculture, marinas and research facilities |
Species that can be taken from habitat protection zones
| Common name | Class or Family | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Finfish (fish with fins and scales) | Class Osteichthyes | All species with the exception of those species listed as protected or threatened. |
Lobster, crayfish | Family Palinuridae | All species in this family |
| Prawns | Family Penaeidae | All species in this family |
| Squid | Family Sepiidae | All species in this family |
| Pipis | Family Donacidae | All species in this family |
| Rock and Beach worms | Family Onuphidae | All species in this family |
| Marine yabbies (nippers) | Family Callianassidae | All species in this family |
| Mud crabs, rock crabs, blue swimmer crabs | Family Grapsidae Family Portunidae | All species in these two families including Scylla serrata & Portunus pelagicus |
| Spanner crabs | Family Raninidae | Ranina ranina |
| Sea lettuce | Family Ulvaceae | Ulva lactuca |
| Bait weed | Family Ulvaceae | Enteromorpha intestinalis |
| Oysters | Family Ostreidae | All species in this family |
| Turban shell (Googoombull) | Family Turbinidae | All species in this family |
| Abalone | Family Haliotidae | All species in this family |
| Periwinkles | Family Trochidae | Austrocochlea spp. |
Species that may be taken from the Wilsons Reef and Bait Reef Habitat Protection Zone
| Common name | Class or Family | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Mullet | Mugilidae | All species in this family |
| Garfish | Hemiramphidae | All species in this family |
| Sea pike, Snook | Sphyraenidae | All species in this family |
| Hardyheads | Atherinidae | All species in this family |
| Mackerels, Wahoo & Tuna | Scombridae | All species in this family |
| Trevallies, Kingfish, Scad, etc | Carangidae | All species in this family |
| Pilchards, herring, sprats, etc | Clupeidae | All species in this family |
| Cobia | Rachycentridae | Rachycentron canadum |
| Dolphinfish | Coryphaenidae | Coryphaena hippurus |
| Tailor | Pomatomidae | Pomatomus saltatrix |
Protection of species
All species are protected in sanctuary zones of the Marine Park. All species are protected in habitat protection zones of the Marine Park, except those species listed in the tables above. Note, all species of sharks and rays (Class Chondrichthyes), are protected in habitat protection zones.
