The extent to which GBRMPA monitors these post-approval

ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 97 submission of documentation required by permit conditions 105 ; follow-up outstanding documentation; and track and better document the receipt, assessment and approval of documentation where required. Field compliance operations

6.12 The FMCU is responsible for the delivery of compliance activities in the

Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area which includes the Marine Park and coast Marine Park based on the analysis of strategic and emerging risks and taking into account the priorities of GBRMPA and QPWS. As at June 2014, FMCU comprised 20.6 full-time equivalent staff with support provided by another 95 full-time equivalent QPWS staff who undertake a range of functions under the Joint Field Management Program, including patrols.

6.13 As noted in Chapter 5, the FMCU has established a structured process to

identify, assess and rate risks related and unrelated to permits. The FMCU currently manages most risks relevant to permits and permitted activities primarily through: • small and large vessel, aerial, and land-based patrols; and • targeted surveillance of high risk activities. 106 Vessel, aerial, and land-based patrols

6.14 Patrols undertaken by GBRMPA and partner agencies under the Joint

Field Management Program are the primary mechanism used to monitor compliance and detect non-compliance in the Marine Park and coast Marine Park. Most of the non-compliance detected by patrols relates, however, to activities not subject to permits such as fishing in protected areas by users other than permit holders, rather than non-compliance with GBRMP permit conditions. 107 GBRMPA informed the ANAO that it and its partner agencies have achieved the annual target of 800 vessel patrol days across the Marine Park 105 GBRMPA informed the ANAO in May 2015 that it established and implemented new processes for 2014–15 to monitor the receipt of post-approval reporting documentation from permit holders. 106 The FMCU also indicated that long-standing interactions with internal and external stakeholders including the education of park users through on-ground signage and media releases have contributed to the treatment of risks to the Marine Park posed by some permitted activities. 107 Many non-compliance incidents detected during patrols are fishing-related. Most of the fishing regulations are established under Queensland legislation and are not subject to the Marine Park permitting regime. 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.