Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef Operators Asociation
CHARROA is based in the Cairns and Port Douglas area of North Queensland and is an incorporated association of tourism industry marine operators who primarily conduct scuba diving and snorkelling activities in the Cairns section of Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea marine areas of Australia.
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CHARROA CODE OF PRACTICE

The following Code Of Practice details the activities and conduct of all CHARROA members with the aim of ensuring long term sustainable usage of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea reefs, preservation of the reef and safe vessel and diving procedures.

All members agree to implement the following:

Cod Hole Diving
  1. To abide by the rules and regulations as set forward by GBRMPA, CHARROA and appropriate authorities.
  2. Moorings will be designed, installed and maintained at CHARROA's cost to specifications defined by a qualified, recognised Marine Architect.
  3. Public Liability Insurance on moorings will be maintained by CHARROA.
  4. A fair and equitable roster system of mooring usage will be maintained and administered by CHARROA.
  5. To limit the length of vessels (excluding fairmiles - 112ft) using CHARROA moorings to maximum 35m, and diving passenger capacity to 29 (including fairmiles).
  6. To assist any recognized government or educational organization in the collection of data or monitoring of dive site, as circumstances allow, providing paying passengers are not inconvenienced and no costs are incurred by CHARROA members.
  7. To report any misconduct or unsafe practice by any operator on any part of the Great Barrier Reef and to render any reasonable assistance in the apprehension and prosecution of such offenders.
  8. Freely provide information and assistance to proposed mooring users subject to mooring fees and roster availability.
  9. Immediately report any mooring damage or noticeable wear on moorings to the appropriate CHARROA committee member, to instigate its rectification.
  10. Perform all operations with conservation practices a priority in all areas of the Great Barrier Reef. This includes no discharge of oil anywhere in the Marine Park, no dumping of food stuffs or sullage in close proximity of any reef or dive site, all care to be taken when anchoring to prevent coral damage, and any other steps that may seem reasonable or necessary from time to time.
  11. Keep dive site usage to a fair and reasonable level with the conservation of sites as a priority.
  12. Monitor the condition and maintain the well being of dive sites in particular the Cod Hole.
  13. Promote diver awareness and reef preserving dive practices on all reef visitations, especially targeting the protection of coral from divers.
  14. Keep fish quantities on Cod Hole fish feeds to a maximum of 2kg (or such amount as may be determined from time to time) of small fish pieces or suitable pilchard size whole fish.
  15. All fish feeds to be performed by vessel crew only and divers to be briefed by crew, prior to feeding dive, on what to expect and how to behave on the dive.
  16. All dive activities to be performed in accordance with safe dive practices as defined by recognised international dive organizations.
  17. All mooring users must be logged on the roster through the appropriate CHARROA committee member responsible for mooring rosters. Should mooring use become congested, a maximum of 2 dives or 4 hours (whichever is the lesser) will apply.
  18. Only one vessel, regardless of size, to use any one mooring at any one time, excluding safety tenders as required for emergency dive rescues and pick-ups.
  19. No fishing, spear fishing or capture of marine life at any mooring, dive site or where otherwise prohibited.
  20. All members must keep their own individual permits and surveys current at all times.
  21. To maintain a radio watch whilst at the Cod Hole on VHF channel 16.
  22. To always conduct themselves at sea in a courteous and helpful manner consistent with good seamanship and maritime law.