Activities that could damage submarine communications cables are prohibited or restricted in protection zones off the Sydney beaches Narrabeen and Tamarama/Clovelly following declaration by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on 1 October 2007.

Prohibited activities include trawling and dredging. Other activities are restricted according to their potential risk, for example, restriction on anchoring depends on distance from shore, water depth, anchor weight and anchor line breaking strain.

Marine users should be aware that significant criminal penalties apply to those engaging in prohibited or restricted activities.

Submarine cables are of enormous value to the Australian economy as they carry more than 99 per cent of Australia’s international voice and data traffic. These zones will protect these cables and limit the risk of serious consequences for our overseas communications, especially internet use.

ACMA has prepared information about the zones for marine users:

• the coordinates for the zones are on the ACMA website for uploading to GPS systems,
• a Notice to Mariners enables marine users to update their charts. The notice was issued on 14 September by the Australian Hydrographic Service in consultation with ACMA, and
• an information brochure, Sydney Submarine Cable Protection Zones, explains the zones and the new prohibitions and restrictions.