❓ A parliamentary question regarding the management of manta ray interactions in Ningaloo Marine Park, specifically around Coral Bay. It seeks information on management plans, protection status, interaction guidelines, operator numbers, and reported incidents.
AnsweredQoN 2734Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to the Manta Rays in the Ningaloo Marine Park (NMP), I ask -
(1) Was a draft management plan created for interaction with Manta Rays in the region of NMP, Coral Bay, Bills Bay, Mauds Landing and Maud Sanctuary Zone?
(2) If yes to (1), when was this drafted?
(3) Has this plan been implemented?
(4) If yes to (3),
(a) when was it implemented; and
(b) will the Minister table a copy of this management plan?
(5) If no to (3), -
(a) why not; and
(b) will the Minister table a copy of the draft management plan?
(6) Are Manta Rays a protected species?
(7) If no to (6), are they protected in the NMP?
(8) What number of observing swimmers is appropriate to be on or around a Manta Ray?
(9) Is this the same number as the draft management plan proposed?
(10) How many operators currently interact with Manta Rays?
(11) What is the current number of observing swimmers currently being dropped on or around Manta Rays?
(12) Have there been any negative interactions between Manta Rays and the public in the NMP?
(13) If yes to (12), -
(a) what were they;
(b) when were they; and
(c) does the Department have concerns because of ‘visitor risk management’?
(1) Was a draft management plan created for interaction with Manta Rays in the region of NMP, Coral Bay, Bills Bay, Mauds Landing and Maud Sanctuary Zone?
(2) If yes to (1), when was this drafted?
(3) Has this plan been implemented?
(4) If yes to (3),
(a) when was it implemented; and
(b) will the Minister table a copy of this management plan?
(5) If no to (3), -
(a) why not; and
(b) will the Minister table a copy of the draft management plan?
(6) Are Manta Rays a protected species?
(7) If no to (6), are they protected in the NMP?
(8) What number of observing swimmers is appropriate to be on or around a Manta Ray?
(9) Is this the same number as the draft management plan proposed?
(10) How many operators currently interact with Manta Rays?
(11) What is the current number of observing swimmers currently being dropped on or around Manta Rays?
(12) Have there been any negative interactions between Manta Rays and the public in the NMP?
(13) If yes to (12), -
(a) what were they;
(b) when were they; and
(c) does the Department have concerns because of ‘visitor risk management’?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 October 2010
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
36 days
(1) No, however code of conduct has been developed for manta ray interaction in Ningaloo Marine Park.
(2) The code of conduct was initiated in 2002/03 and revised in 2008.
(3) The code of conduct has been introduced on a trial basis in the Coral Bay area of NingalooMarine Park.
(4)(a) The code of conduct has been implemented since 2003 in cooperation with commercial tour operators.
(b) I table the attached code of conduct and seek leave to have it incorporated into Hansard.
(5)(a) and (b) Not applicable.
(6) The
Wildlife Conservation (Fauna of NingalooMarine Park) Notice 1992
prohibits the taking of whale sharks and manta rays in NingalooMarine Park. Order No 12 of 2005 declared under the
Fish Resources Management Act 1994
, known as
Prohibition on Recreational Fishing (NingalooMarinePark) Order 2005
, prohibits fishing for manta rays in NingalooMarinePark. Manta rays can be taken by recreational fishers in State waters other than NingalooMarineParkas there is no protection under the
Fish Resources Management Act
1994
.
(7) See the answer to (6).
(8) The number of persons in the water within 15 metres of a manta ray at any one time is recommended to be limited to seven passengers, but is not to exceed 10 passengers and two dive supervisors or spotters (12 persons in total) at all times.
(9) This is the number in the code of conduct.
(10) Eight vessels are known to interact with manta rays in the Coral Bay Maud Sanctuary area.
(11) The number usually varies from five to 10.
(12) Yes.
(13)(a) There have been several accounts of manta rays wing slapping, bumping and breaching on swimmers.
(b) No specific dates or events have been recorded as all incidents are based on informal or anecdotal reports. Operators are required to report serious incidents (injury to people and/ or damage to property) to DEC and to date none have been recorded.
(c) Visitor risk management is a primary concern for DEC in all areas of its management and manta ray interactions will continue to be monitored.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
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(2) The code of conduct was initiated in 2002/03 and revised in 2008.
(3) The code of conduct has been introduced on a trial basis in the Coral Bay area of NingalooMarine Park.
(4)(a) The code of conduct has been implemented since 2003 in cooperation with commercial tour operators.
(b) I table the attached code of conduct and seek leave to have it incorporated into Hansard.
(5)(a) and (b) Not applicable.
(6) The
Wildlife Conservation (Fauna of NingalooMarine Park) Notice 1992
prohibits the taking of whale sharks and manta rays in NingalooMarine Park. Order No 12 of 2005 declared under the
Fish Resources Management Act 1994
, known as
Prohibition on Recreational Fishing (NingalooMarinePark) Order 2005
, prohibits fishing for manta rays in NingalooMarinePark. Manta rays can be taken by recreational fishers in State waters other than NingalooMarineParkas there is no protection under the
Fish Resources Management Act
1994
.
(7) See the answer to (6).
(8) The number of persons in the water within 15 metres of a manta ray at any one time is recommended to be limited to seven passengers, but is not to exceed 10 passengers and two dive supervisors or spotters (12 persons in total) at all times.
(9) This is the number in the code of conduct.
(10) Eight vessels are known to interact with manta rays in the Coral Bay Maud Sanctuary area.
(11) The number usually varies from five to 10.
(12) Yes.
(13)(a) There have been several accounts of manta rays wing slapping, bumping and breaching on swimmers.
(b) No specific dates or events have been recorded as all incidents are based on informal or anecdotal reports. Operators are required to report serious incidents (injury to people and/ or damage to property) to DEC and to date none have been recorded.
(c) Visitor risk management is a primary concern for DEC in all areas of its management and manta ray interactions will continue to be monitored.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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