Managing tourism to a seabird nesting island

Abstract

Michaelmas Cay and Reef is one of the prime tourist destinations offshore from Cairns, North Queensland, Australia, with annual visitation of approximately 90 000 persons per year. The Cay is a major seabird nesting island with more than 30000 birds at the site during peak nesting periods. To control the increasing demand for visitor access by tourist operators and minimize associated environmental disturbance at Michaelmas the responsible management agencies detailed and approved a management plan and associated prescriptions in 1986. However, since the introduction of the plan, tourism has increased at a rate and to an extent such that it is now necessary to review the existing plan and determine direction for future management. Options and recommendations for management are being formulated and will be released for public and tourist operator comment prior to adoption of any regulatory prescriptions by the management agencies. Future management options must ensure that the values of the area are maintained, and that the purposes and objectives of the original management plan are not compromised.