Press release. Ministry of Environment and the Reef
Views sought on a Reef Levy to protect the island's waters
A four-week consultation asks whether leisure vessels that moor or anchor in island waters should pay a levy to fund reef wardens and visitor moorings.
PUERTO CORAL, 29 September 2026. The Ministry of Environment and the Reef has opened a consultation on a proposed Reef Levy.
The fringing reef around Coral Island, the Reef Line, protects the island's beaches and harbour and is the reason many visitors come. Anchors, groundings and unmanaged fishing damage it.
The Ministry proposes:
- a levy of $50 for each visit by a leisure vessel that moors or anchors in island waters
- no levy for residents, citizens or vessels on Government business
- that the money raised pays for reef wardens and for fixed visitor moorings, so that anchors are no longer needed near the Reef Line
The consultation runs until 27 October 2026. Anyone can give their views online. A summary of the responses and the Government's decision will be published after it closes.
Ends.