In addition to the assessment of permit applications, GBRMPA’s

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.