The Cape Byron Marine Park covers an area of around 22,000 hectares, extending from Brunswick Heads in the north to Lennox Head in the south, and from the mean high water mark and upper tidal limits of coastal estuaries, seaward to the three nautical mile limit of NSW waters.

The marine park, created in 2002, is a multiple-use park that aims to protect representative examples of marine biodiversity, while catering for a broad range of recreational and commercial activities.

The park supports commercial and recreational fishing, scuba diving, whale and dolphin watching, research, boating, surfing and other beach activities.

Humpback whales travel close to shore around Cape Byron on their annual migrations. The park is also renowned for its dolphins, seabirds, turtles and corals. Several coastal nature reserves, Arakwal National Park and Cape Byron State Conservation Area adjoin the marine park.

In November 2005 the NSW Government launched a new zoning plan for the park which, it says, balances the protection of marine biodiversity while supporting a broad range of recreational, tourism and commercial activities. The new zoning was confirmed in May 2006.

The then NSW Environment Minister, Bob Debus, said the plan protects examples of the range of marine biodiversity in the marine park, and outlines where activities such as fishing or bait collection can occur.

"Sanctuary zones account for 27.5 per cent of the park, providing protection to habitat, animals, plants and areas of cultural significance by prohibiting fishing, collecting and anchoring on reefs," he said.

"Activities that do not harm plants, animals and habitats are permitted in these zones. Sanctuary zones include the rock platforms and boulder habitats around Cape Byron and Broken Head, which support distinct rocky shore communities. Julian Rocks, a critical habitat site for grey nurse sharks, also falls within a sanctuary zone.

"A sanctuary zone protects the unique oceanic lagoon, also known as the Bream Hole or the Moat, at Lennox Head. It supports over 180 species of invertebrate animals and patches of oceanic seagrass."

The Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, says habitat protection zones cover approximately 19 per cent of the marine park.

"In these zones some activities are permitted including recreational fishing, some forms of commercial fishing, tourist activities and fishing competitions," he said.

"To protect particular species additional restrictions are in place for some habitat protection zones at Mackerel Boulder, Wilsons Reef, Bait Reef and Lennox Head.

"At Mackerel Boulder all fishing is prohibited between 1 May and 31 December to protect grey nurse sharks, an endangered species, when they are most abundant in the area.

"The largest zone in the park is the general use zone, which comprises 53.5 per cent of the marine park, and provides for a wide range of activities including sustainable commercial and recreational fishing.

"Five small special purpose zones will be established to provide for the management of oyster leases in Marshalls Creek and the Brunswick River boat harbour, and the traditional cultural use and rehabilitation of Belongil Creek and Tallow Creek.

"A special purpose zone also allows access for people with a disability to be able to fish from a popular board-walk at Lennox Head."

There have been objections to the new zoning from fishermen but Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham says the State Government has balanced the needs of the whole community in establishing the marine park zones.

Further information on the zoning and management arrangements for the Cape Byron Marine Park, including detailed maps and descriptions of zones and activities that may be conducted in specific locations, is available on the MPA website at www.mpa.nsw.gov.au or visit the NPWS web site at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.