A protected species is a plant or animal that is protected by law and needs special management. 

• Species may be protected at an international, national, state or local level:
• International level: species that are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered under IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red Data Book.
• National level: species that are a listed threatened species, a listed migratory species or a listed marine species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
• State level: species of marine mammal, bird or reptile that are prescribed as endangered, vulnerable, near threatened or of least concern under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 of Queensland
• Local level: species mentioned in Section 30 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority works closely with international, national, state and local agencies in the conservation and protection of biodiversity.

Protected species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

In addition to the above, protected species in the Great Barrier Reef are classified as either threatened, iconic or at risk:

1. A protected species is classified as 'threatened' if its population has declined within and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef
2. A protected species is classified as 'iconic' if it is one of Australia’s most well-known plants or animals and requires special management in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
3. A protected species is classified as 'at risk' if it faces pressure from human-related activities within and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef.

Under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003, you need the permission from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to intentionally take any of these species.

• Protected species are:
• Any species that is a listed threatened species, a listed migratory species or a listed marine species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
• Any species of marine mammal, bird or reptile prescribed as endangered, vulnerable, near-threatened or least concern under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 of Queensland
• Any species mentioned in the table at section 30 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019

• The following activity matrix gives an indication of permissions:
• The protected species and types of activities for which the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority anticipates receiving applications
• Whether the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is likely to grant its permission
• The assessment guidelines are used by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to make decisions on such applications.

L = ‘Likely’ means GBRMPA may grant a permission for the take of the protected species for the particular activity noted after assessment that is in accordance with the Regulations, this policy and the associated guidelines, and appropriate conditions to manage the activity are developed.

U = ‘Unlikely’ means GBRMPA is unlikely to grant a permission for the take of the protected species, however exceptional circumstances may be considered.

For more information on whether a permission is likely to be granted based on the individual conduct, see Policy on limiting the take of Protected Species through the permissions system.