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, 1780.93 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

ZonesDescriptionActivities
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 FamilySpecies
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 nameClass or FamilySpecies
 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.

Other management actions