The Department of Environment and Conservation has issued licences for commercial tourism providers operating out of Coral Bay in Ningaloo Marine Park.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the number of licences had been increased by two which reflected the greater capacity of the area to handle commercial charter vessels because of additional moorings at the new Monck Head maritime facility.

“Ningaloo Reef, which runs for 290 km along North West Cape, is the biggest fringing coral reef in Australia and the only large reef in the world found so close to a continental land mass, with parts only 100 metres offshore,” Mrs Faragher said.

“It is internationally renowned for whalesharks, as well as other species such as dugongs and turtles.

“The reef is part of a marine ecosystem that ranks seventh on the world’s list of coral reef biodiversity ‘hotspots’ and is second in terms of the number of species that are found within a limited range.

“Parts of the adjoining Cape Range National Park reflect Australia’s evolution since it was part of the super-continent, Pangea, 180 million years ago. The range has particular significance to Aboriginal people.

The Minister said in July 2008, DEC called for expressions of interest from tourism operators for commercial licences to operate from Coral Bay. The 19 applications received were assessed by a panel comprising DEC staff and a representative from Tourism Western Australia.

The panel’s recommendations for successful applications were subject to an independent probity audit.

“The panel recommended licences be awarded to 10 charter vessel operators, three coral viewing and one shore-based recreation activity,” Mrs Faragher said.

“One charter vessel licence has been retained but may be allocated in future subject to a review in two years.”

Tourism Minister Liz Constable welcomed the allocation of the licences.

“Tourism is among the mainstays of the Gascoyne region,” Dr Constable said.

“Studies by tourism researchers released in 2004 showed the reef and Cape Range National Park attracted more than 200,000 visitors a year, who injected about $127million into the Gascoyne regional economy.

“DEC’s licensing system for commercial tourism operators aims to ensure tourism at Ningaloo continues to be sustainable while at the same time increased to take into account expanded facilities and growing visitor numbers.”
The successful applicants for licences are:

Charter vessels: Coral Bay Adventures, Ocean Eco Adventures, Sea Force Fishing Tours and Charters, Ningaloo Sailing Adventures, Coastal Adventure Tours, Ningaloo Experience, Ningaloo Reef Dive, Coral Bay Charter and Glass Bottom Boats, Coral Bay Ecotours, Coral Bay Ocean Game Fishing Charters.

Coral viewing: Coral Bay Adventures, Coral Bay Charter and Glass Bottom Boats, Coral Bay Ecotours.

Shore-based activities: Ningaloo Kayak Adventures.

Environment Minister’s office - 9213 7250

Tourism Minister’s office - 9222 9699