5. Commercial and non-commercial use

How people use the Region for recreation varies. Recreational use (excluding fishing) is not regulated by the Marine Parks permission system, and few studies have investigated its impact. Recreational uses can affect the Reef through direct localised impacts, such as anchor damage, litter, vessel groundings, handling marine organisms (such as sea stars), boat strikes on marine organisms, disturbance of shipwrecks and other heritage sites, disturbance by personal drones of wildlife and human enjoyment, damage to corals from snorkelling and diving fins, and negative interactions between different users especially in relation to vessel, speed and noise (for example, jet skis).^1368,1381 Indirect impacts include encroachment of structures on the Region, such as those that provide access and facilities for recreational users (for example, boat ramps, moorings and underwater structures). Most impacts are minimal and concentrated around major population centres. However, given the large number of recreational users in the Region, the cumulative effect of many small impacts concentrated in certain areas can be significant.

Recreational users may interrupt the connection Traditional Owners have to their Sea Country by removing or damaging significant artefacts or sites of cultural significance (whether intentional or unintentional).¹³⁶⁸ High recreational use in culturally significant areas can also displace Traditional Owners by preventing them from accessing these sites and practising their culture (Chapter 9). 

Damage to the environment from tourism, commercial fishing and recreational vessels occurs in the Region due to accidental groundings, human error and severe weather. The number of such incidents from tourism and recreational vessels is likely to rise with increasing visitation. From 2019 to 2022, recreational vessel groundings were more common than either tourism or commercial fishing vessel groundings (Figure 5.16). It is assumed that the number of incidents occurring in the Region is higher than what is reported to managing agencies.

Construction and maintenance of launch facilities can directly affect the Region through clearing of coastal habitats, dredging and disposal (capital and maintenance). Encroachment of permanent human-made structures in the marine environment can also affect the aesthetic value of the area. Up-to-date data are lacking on the extent of this infrastructure (within or adjacent to the Region) and its impact on the Region. 

Introduced species, including weeds, marine pests or feral animals brought into the Region by recreational users, pose a threat to the Region (Section 3.6.3). For example, international yachts entering the Region are a high-risk vector. Other disturbances from recreational use include oil and chemical spills, waste discharge and disturbance of wildlife, particularly on beaches and islands.¹³⁶⁸ 

Recreational activity in the Region can be influenced by the state of the ecosystem, weather, water quality, access, socio-demographic factors, visual amenity, social interaction, and health and wellbeing of individuals.^1383,1384 The current and future implications of climate change, poor water quality and coastal development on the values of the Reef and adjacent areas are key sources of community concern.¹³⁸⁵

Impacts from recreational users are predominantly managed by legislation, enforcement, public education and public infrastructure, such as signage. Due to the Region’s size, management focuses heavily on ensuring users are aware of the impacts of their activities, thereby fostering self-management. For example, the Eye on the Reef mobile app allows users to use their GPS position to determine what activities can be conducted in the Marine Park. Providing information about threats caused by recreational activities, and how they can be managed, plays a major part in managing recreational use and encouraging stewardship through responsible reef practices.