The first Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning plan regulated some forms of trawling, but left 99% of the bay open to most types of fishing, with less than 1% protected in green zones, or marine national park zones. These areas set aside to protect the ocean’s rich diversity of life. Also called marine sanctuaries or marine national parks, green zones also offer a way to protect vulnerable marine species such as turtles, dolphins and dugongs and the habitats they depend on such as sea grasses, coral reefs and mangroves. They allow fish to spawn and grow, provide unspoilt natural sites for people to visit and offer areas for education and research.

In 2009, in response to ongoing community concerns, the Queensland Government released a new zoning plan for Moreton Bay Marine Park. The marine park now has 16% designated marine national park zones. A further 8% of the park has conservation status in which limited recreation and commercial activities are permitted but netting and trawling are not. Trawling is not allowed in a further 30% of the park. (ref Australian Marine Conservation )

We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic