All aquatic invertebrates (for example beach worms, sea urchins, lobsters, crabs, scallops, cockles, mussels, turban snails, pipis and abalone) and all species on the rock platforms (including oysters and octopus) are protected and must not be taken in Booderee National Park.
Other species that also cannot be taken include: grey nurse shark, estuary cod, eastern blue devilfish, elegant wrasse and all species of seahorses, seadragons and pipefishes.
Fishing, boating and diving
Boat ramps
The boat ramp at Murrays Beach carpark provides access to Jervis Bay waters.
Diving
The clear waters of Jervis Bay provide excellent opportunities for diving. Snorkelling locations in Jervis Bay are found off rock platforms at Scottish Rocks and Murrays Beach. The diverse marine environment in Jervis Bay offers scuba divers a rewarding diving experience. Air tank filling, diving equipment and tours are available at dive shops in nearby Huskisson.
Threats to marine life are:
- plastic bags and other waste, that are mistaken for jellyfish
- dropped cigarette butts
- discarded fishing line, bait packets and hooks
- habitat destruction, poor water quality and seagrass depletion
- boat and propeller collisions
- deliberate acts of cruelty and disease
Please assist us by disposing of waste properly and anchoring only in waters greater than 10 metres deep.
Fishing regulations
Only line fishing is permitted in Booderee National Park waters. Spearfishing is prohibited and spears or spearguns are not permitted in the park. No fishing is permitted in the Botanic Gardens. Size and bag limits for most species apply. Where a species is not listed the NSW limits apply.
Types of fishing allowed are:
- using one hand rod with a single hook or lure per person
- using one hand-held line with a single hook per person
- using one landing net
A NSW Fishing Licence is required.
Types of fishing NOT allowed are:
- commercial fishing
- spearfishing using either handspears or spearguns
- no live bait other than a limited number of fish or squid may be collected or used in Booderee National Park
(NOTE: Fishing bag limits are the same as the adjoining NSW waters, with the exception of squid collected - 10 per person) - all plants and animals are protected including abalone, crayfish, pipis, crabs, oysters and all other shellfish and crustaceans
- all life on rock platforms is protected
Activities NOT allowed are:
- use of jet skis
- towing of persons behind boats
- boom riding
- anchoring on seagrass communities
Size and bag limits
Please check the NSW Department of Primary Industries website for up-to-date size and bag limits.
Anchoring and mooring
Anchoring
'No anchoring areas' have been established in Booderee National Park in order to protect sea-grass and other shallow water habitats from physical damage by anchoring. Anchoring is not permitted in Booderee National Park in water depths less than 10 metres at low tide, in marine Sanctuary Zones, and the Bowen Island and HMAS Creswell Special Purpose Zones to which public access is closed (see attached Zoning Map). Please do not anchor in these areas unless in an emergency where necessary to protect life or property.
Read more on anchoring and mooring...
In order to allow for sustainable commercial and public use of the Park, moorings have been installed in no anchoring areas of particular demand. These areas are northwest Bowen Island, Murrays Beach, and Hole-in-the Wall. Moorings have buoys, which are labeled with their capacity and limits of use. Please adhere to these limits, do not leave a vessel unattended, and do not manoeuvre under power while attached to a mooring.
Mooring
Limit of use - 40 tonne moorings
Vessel length : 20 metres
Vessel weight : 40 tonnes
Wind speed : 30 knots
Time : 2 hours
Limit of use - 80 tonne moorings
Vessel length : 30 metres
Vessel weight : 80 tonnes
Wind speed : 30 knots
Time : 2 hours
Limit of use - 20 tonne moorings
Vessel length : 20 metres
Vessel weight : 20 tonnes
Wind speed : 20 knots
Time : 48 hours (longer periods may be permitted during periods of low demand, or when weather conditions do not allow vessels to leave a mooring)
Bowen Island
There are 4 moorings located within the ‘no anchoring zone’ between 100m and 200m of Bowen island. North-west Bowen Island has long been a popular dive location, and these moorings have been installed for the use of commercial dive companies who hold a current permit to use the Park, and registered members of the Jervis Bay Dive Club. Limits of use outlined below apply to both commercial and club users. Three moorings in this zone have a 40 tonne capacity, whilst one mooring (the southern-most) has an 80 tonne capacity. The 80 tonne mooring has been installed for use by commercial vessels exceeding 40 tonne capacity. Vessels exceeding 40 tonnes must not use 40 tonne moorings, and should use their anchor in emergency situations.
Registered members of the Jervis Bay Dive Club may use one of the four moorings located within the ‘no anchoring zone’ between 100m and 200m of Bowen island. The club may use more than one mooring, but must vacate additional moorings upon request by commercial diving operators who have valid permits.
Murrays Beach
One 40 tonne mooring is located at the southern end of Murrays Beach for use by commercial dive businesses that hold a current commercial permit to use the park. Registered members of the Jervis Bay Dive Club may use this mooring, but must vacate it when requested by commercial operators who hold a valid permit.
Hole-in-the-Wall
Four moorings are located between Hole-in-the-Wall and Scottish Rocks. This area is a popular location for yachts and pleasure craft, especially in strong southerly winds. These moorings are available to all users who comply with the limits of use specified on the right.
Note that discharging of effluent, oils, or any other material into the waters of Booderee National Park is an offence against the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations.