FISHING EFFORT IN THE FAR NORTHERN SECTION CROSS-SHELF CLOSURE AREA OF THE GREAT-BARRIER-REEF MARINE PARK - THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AREA-CLOSURES

A meta-analysis of available information on the intensity and distribu tion of illegal prawn (shrimp) trawling is reported from a 10 000 squa re kilometre cross shelf area-closure in the tropical Great Barrier Re ef Marine Park. Northern and southern borders of the closure were subj ect to edge effects as trawlers over-ran their hauls, legally started in the adjacent open zones. There was considerable illegal trawling in shore along a north-south navigation channel running through the area- closure. The middle and outer regions of the closure were originally d enied to trawlers because of 'rough ground' but this is probably no lo nger the case since the general adoption of advanced navigation aids ( GPS). The area least likely to have been heavily trawled is the centra l mid-shelf section of the closure in a region of uncharted shoal reef s. Many trawlers fish in the accessible sections of the closure on a c asual or incidental basis but approximately 47 boats do so on a consis tent basis. An estimated yearly fetal of 3260 days illegal trawling oc curs, giving an approximate estimate of 69 days illegal trawling per r egular offender: The implications of this level of noncompliance are t he probable invalidation of the original objectives of conservation an d maintenance of a pristine reference area in all but the central sect ion of the closure. Management of marine world heritage areas requires the acknowledgement that the harvesting of fish, prawns and other liv ing resources may be an established use of the Marine Park but it also requires a combination of education plus the adoption of effective mo nitoring technology, such as satellite vessel monitoring systems, to s top or at least reduce unauthorized fishing. (C) 1998 Academic Press L imited.