The post-approval reporting requirements in approved permits were

ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 98 since 2012–13. 108 Since 2012–13, 60-80 aerial patrols and 34-49 land-based patrols have also been undertaken each year. Planning and conduct of patrols

6.15 A plan is prepared for each patrol that outlines the intended parameters

of the patrol general locations, dates, equipment and resources, locationsactivities of interest in the patrol zone and contextual considerations such as tide times and weather forecasts. These plans are based on templates tailored to the circumstances of the intended patrol that incorporate relevant information from patrol intelligence briefs. 109 While permitted activities are covered in general terms in patrol plans, they are rarely the focus of the patrols.

6.16 Vessel and aerial patrols generally follow a pre-established patrol route

with deviations made to more closely inspect sighted vessels or conduct that is of interest to the patrolling officers. Photographic evidence often time and GPS stamped is generally collected. During vessel patrols, patrolling officers may board and inspect vessels with permission of the skipper operating in the Marine Park. Where potential non-compliance is observed during vessel patrols, patrolling officers will usually attempt contact with those persons of interest thought to be involved in the non-compliance if readily identifiable to discontinue, and ascertain the reasons for, the non-compliance. Educational advice and material is also provided, where necessary. Patrolling officers record relevant details of the potential non-compliance in their vessel’s log. 110

6.17 At the conclusion of each patrol, patrol officers are to examine the patrol

vessel’s log and any photographic evidence, create incident reports for each instance of potential non-compliance identified, and produce a patrol report. During the creation of incident reports, GBRMPA’s permits database is also to be scrutinised to identify whether the potential non-compliance has been committed by a permit holder and whether it constitutes a permit breach. All incident reports are to be recorded in GBRMPA’s Compliance Management 108 In 2014–15, the methodology for calculating vessel patrol days completed was revised to more accurately represent patrols dedicated to monitoring compliance by Marine Park users. GBRMPA informed the ANAO it was not possible to adjust vessel patrol day figures for previous financial years to reflect the revised methodology. 109 The FMCU has developed patrol intelligence briefs for six different regions of the Marine Park, which are updated on a monthly basis and further information on these briefs is provided in Chapter 5. 110 A running sheet with details of the patrol, including: crew, patrol vessel checks, a list of vessels sighted and their registration numbers and any interactions with users of the Marine Park. ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 99 Information System CMIS and considered by the FMCU for potential investigation and enforcement action which is examined in Chapter 7.

6.18 The patrol reports prepared typically contain statistics such as the

number of vessel sightings and boardingsinspections by activity type and a summary of each observed non-compliance incident. Some patrol reports—such as those related to two patrols observed by the ANAO one vessel and one aerial—also contain further details, such as information on each vessel sighted. GBRMPA raised incident reports for all seven non-compliance matters detected none of which were permit-related on the patrols observed by the ANAO, which were recorded in CMIS. One of the patrols observed by the ANAO is illustrated in Figure 6.1 on the following page. Effectiveness of patrols to monitor permit compliance

6.19 Patrols can be an effective means of detecting some forms of

permit-related non-compliance such as, vessels that do not retain copies of their permits on-board, vessels operating in excluded areas, exceeding species collection limits, unattended and unmarked fishing nets and moorings not clearly marked. However, there are numerous permit conditions where vessel, aerial and land-based patrols are not suited to observing compliance or detecting non-compliance, including: • the condition of sub-surface infrastructure, such as mooring chains, jettymarina pylons, snorkel trail equipment, scientific research equipment, pipelines, and cables 111 ; and • the operation and condition of land-based facilities that require specialist botanical or engineering input such as sewage treatment plants.

6.20 While compliance with some permit conditions could be determined via

desk-based monitoring such as insurance requirements, specialist skills andor qualifications would need to be acquired by Joint Field Management Program officers to be in a position to monitor compliance with other conditions such as the condition of sub-surface infrastructure, which may require diving and engineering certifications. 111 GBRMPA records indicate that there are over 100 wholly or partially submerged structures in the Marine Park.