National Park Zone (II), Freycinet Marine Park (Commonwealth waters off eastern Tasmania)

Freycinet Marine Park begins 6–12 km off the Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania’s east coast and runs east to the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone. Its no-take National Park Zone totals 56,825 km² in two separate areas: a small 32.5 km² inshore block on the shelf (zone code sefrenpz03, where this pin sits, in about 80 m of water on the granite-reef ground that includes features such as Joe’s Reef at 59–83 m) and a 56,793 km² offshore block reaching the EEZ (sefrenpz02). Prescription 4.3.6.3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (South-east Marine Parks Network Management Plan) Instrument 2025 (F2025L00100, in force 13 February 2025) reads: “Recreational fishing may be carried out in all zones except the Special Purpose Zone (VI), National Park Zone (II) and Sanctuary Zone (Ia).” The plan’s glossary defines recreational fishing as “Taking marine species, including shells, not for commercial purposes and that is not commercial fishing”, which plainly covers spearfishing, and the plan’s Table 4.8 (“Summary of prescriptions for recreational use (including fishing) activities in the South-east Network”) marks “Recreational fishing” with a cross in the National Park Zone (II) column (“Activity is not allowed”). Because section 354(1)(a) of the EPBC Act forbids taking a member of a native species in a Commonwealth reserve except in accordance with a management plan, and section 354A(8) makes accordance with the plan the only exception to the section 354A(1) offence, spearfishing in this zone is a criminal offence punishable by up to 2 years’ imprisonment or 1,000 penalty units. Fishing gear must be kept stowed and secured while transiting the zone (prescription 4.3.6.5). Freycinet is also the one park in this group with a Recreational Use Zone (IV) — 323 km² in which recreational fishing is expressly allowed — plus 68 km² of Habitat Protection Zone (IV) and 725 km² of Multiple Use Zone (VI), all open to spearfishing, so check which zone you are in before you get in the water.