The patrol reports prepared typically contain statistics such as the

ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 101 Targeted surveillance of high risk activities

6.21 While vessel, aerial andor land-based patrols are a common treatment to

address most risks relevant to permit holders and permitted activities, targeted surveillance has been used to address high risks associated with some permitted activities. For example, GBRMPA and other Australian and Queensland Government regulatory agencies 112 have gathered intelligence on unattended nets or the use of unlawful equipment that pose a risk to protected species including dugongs and crocodiles in the Princess Charlotte Bay Special Management Area. This intelligence has informed the conduct of targeted surveillance by vessel, air and land that resulted in the successful detection, investigation and prosecution of offenders. In addition, GBRMPA informed the ANAO that it has led, or been part of, multi-jurisdictional inspection teams targeting unlawful activities in the Marine Park during 2014 and early 2015— some of which related to permitted activities including the conduct of touristvessel charter programs and harvest fisheries. Supplementary permit monitoring

6.22 The effective management of issued permits requires GBRMPA’s

compliance monitoring staff to maintain an awareness of the status of permit holders’ compliance with permit conditions. GBRMPA’s monitoring of post-approval reporting requirements established by permit conditions and field compliance operations undertaken by the FMCU and its partner agencies, in isolation, may not in all cases be sufficient to effectively monitor and manage permit compliance. Further, permits may not contain any conditions that provide opportunities for regular or periodic interaction between permit holders and GBRMPA. Consequently, a risk-based supplementary monitoring program is necessary to satisfactorily determine whether permit holders are complying with permit conditions.

6.23 The guidance available to help EAP Section staff to monitor permit

holders’ compliance with their permit conditions is, however, limited. The only guidance document available for undertaking permit-related compliance monitoring is a draft procedure for determining whether holders of 112 Australian Government agencies include: the Department of the Environment; Australian Federal Police; Border Protection Command and Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Queensland Government agencies include: the Queensland Boating and Fishing Patrol; Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service; Maritime Safety Queensland and Queensland Police Service.