Understanding the rules
A word of caution: If you break the Marine Parks rules and are charged, it does not matter if you did not know you were breaking the rules. Ignorance is not a valid legal defence.
What is a “no-take” area?
An area where all forms of fishing, recreational and commercial is banned. This includes gathering shellfish or crustaceans or collecting seaweed.
How is a Marine Park mean to work?
By setting aside areas for protection, the aim is to create a system of areas which are not harvested, and which can supply adults and juveniles to the surrounding areas which are still open to fishing.
Does it work?
For some species, particularly long-lived and territorial species, yes, Marine Parks can work quite well. For other species, especially open-ocean, pelagic species such as tuna; the no-take areas would have to cover massive areas of ocean to be effective.
Australia
http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/marine/marine-reserves
Commonwealth marine reserves:
South-west | North-west | North | Great Barrier Reef | Coral Sea | Temperate East | South-east | Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Map of Australia’s network of Commonwealth marine reserves (PDF – 842.05 KB)
New South Wales
http://www.mpa.nsw.gov.au/
http://www.mpa.nsw.gov.au/pdf/NSW-Marine-protected-areas.pdf
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/habitat/protecting-habitats/mpa
There are six Marine Parks currently gazetted in NSW:
Cape Byron | Solitary Islands | Port Stephens-Great Lakes | Jervis Bay | Batemans Bay | Lord Howe Island
Queensland
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/marine-parks/
The three state marine parks in Queensland are:
Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park | Great Sandy Marine Park | Moreton Bay Marine Park
Victoria
http://www.vic.gov.au/environment-water/water/marine-parks.html
http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/forestry-and-land-use/coasts/marine/marine-national-parks
South Australia
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/marineparks/home
West Australia
http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/marine/marine-parks-and-reserves
Tasmania
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=397
Northern Territory
http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/
Limmen Bight Marine Park