Minimising your impacts

Actions to minimise impacts on the Great Barrier Reef during excursions

When boating on the Great Barrier Reef:

• Slow down. (Less than planing speed can avoid serious injury to marine animals.)
• Give marine animals plenty of space if you see them.
• Call the EPA Hotline on 1300 130 372 to report injured or dead dugong, dolphins, turtles and whales.
• Treat all waste appropriately. Take rubbish bags with you, so all solid and organic waste can be taken home to be re-used, recycled, composted, or properly disposed of. Remember the 'Pack it in. Pack it out' rule.
• Ensure your vessel has an approved sewage holding facility and that sewage is disposed of appropriately on the mainland.

When anchoring and mooring on the Great Barrier Reef:

• Anchor in sand, rubble or mud, and away from living coral.
• Keep the anchor chain away from living coral.
• Motor along the anchor line towards the anchor, when hauling in.
• Use approved mooring buoys where provided.
• Obey 'No Anchorage' signs where applicable.

When snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef:

• Do not rest or stand on living coral. If tired return to the vessel or shore.
• If you pick anything up, return it to exactly the same position.
• Practice buoyancy control.
• Secure all gauges and pressure hoses.
• Do not chase, grab or try to ride larger, free-swimming animals. Do not block their path.
• Try to avoid kicking up sediment with your fins.

When visiting Islands of the Great Barrier Reef:

• Treat all waste appropriately. Take rubbish bags with you, so all solid and organic waste can be taken home to be re-used, recycled, composted, or properly disposed of. Remember the 'Pack it in. Pack it out' rule.
• Be careful not to pollute streams and waterways through washing, cleaning or toilet activities.
• Remove any foreign plants or seeds from your footwear or clothing before going ashore.
• Use established tracks and paths.
• Avoid roosting or nesting seabird colonies.

Ensuring appropriate chemical disposal

• When using chemicals it is imperative that none are washed into grassed or soil areas, gardens, storm water drains or gullies that connect to waterways, beaches or the reef.
• Dispose of all chemicals and containers in accordance with the instructions on the container or contact your local council's waste disposal section.
• Locate, identify and list all chemicals used in the school. Assess each for its contribution to the environment and health of the Great Barrier Reef.
• Do not dispose of chemicals down the drain.
• Take care not to spill fuel when filling vehicles or changing oil.
• Use biodegradable chlorine-free toilet paper and phosphate-free cleaning products.