Incidents and investigations related to breaches of permit conditions

ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 113

7.13 The outcomes from the breach of permit investigations according to the

type of the potential breach are summarised in Table 7.1. Table 7.1: Results of investigations into potential permit breaches July 2012 to June 2014 Type of Potential Breach N o . o f P o te n ti a l B reach es 1 N o . o f B reach es In vest ig at ed 1 Investigation Result 23 C lo s e d N o F u rt h e r A c ti o n P ublic E d u c a ti o n A d vi so ry L et ter In fr in g e m e n t No ti c e P ro secu ti o n 4 O th e r 5 A ct ive In vest ig at io n Fishing methodsequipment location 11 11 2 - 6½ ½ 2 - - Pollutioncoral damage 3 1 1 - - - - - - Feedingtouching marine species 5 4 1 2 1 - - - - Structure management breach of EMP 12 9 2 - 1 - - 1 5 Tourism bookingslocation passenger numbers 19 14 1 1 12 - - - - No permit on board 12 9 - - 9 - - - - Moorings 7 6 - - 3 - - 3 - Other 6 10 7 2 - 2 - - - 3 Total 79 61 9 3 34½ ½ 2 4 8 Source: ANAO analysis of GBRMPA information. Note 1: Multiple breaches may arise from a single incident. As a consequence, the number of potential breaches and breaches investigated are greater than the number of incidents and investigations, respectively. Note 2: Multiple enforcement actions may arise from a single investigation, but have been counted only once in this table. As a consequence, a breach that resulted in an infringement notice for one party and an advisory notice for another has been counted as half each. Note 3: There were no permit revocations, variations or suspensions imposed to address permit non-compliance during the period examined by the ANAO. Note 4: The penalties imposed by the courts were fines of 3000 and 7500. Note 5: Includes mooring letters and a site inspection report. Note 6: Includes the failure to submit documentation required by permits, not commencing operations within specified timeframes and collecting species not authorised by permits.

7.14 GBRMPA’s EAP Section has an important role in detecting and reporting

potential non-compliance by permit holders. The EAP Section undertakes post- approval monitoring of permits, which can include assessing and approving documentation such as maintenance reports, compliance certificates and