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Certification Rules
(formerly know as the Code of Practice)
These
Rules have been prepared by
the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association Inc through consultation
with tour operators and managers of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority (GBRMPA) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and
other parties with vested interests in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
World Heritage Area.
All parties that participated
in the preparation of the
Certification
Rules are dedicated to ensuring the
sustainability of both the environment and economic viability of the
Marine Tourism Industry
These Certification
Rules apply to members
of the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association Inc.
The
Rules are to ensure that minimum standards are agreed within the industry.
They are not intended to provide a means of grading the quality of service
offered by individual operators.
OBJECTIVES of the Certification Rules:
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To list and record the
ethics and minimum acceptable standards for marine tourism operators
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To promote self-regulation
of the marine tourism industry
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To contribute towards the
enhancement and preservation of the environment, social, cultural and
economic values of
the Great Barrier Reef.
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To safeguard the industry’s
competitiveness within the world tourism market by protecting its
natural resource base and catering for the increasing numbers of
tourists seeking environmentally responsible tourism experiences.
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To establish guidelines for
the duty of care
ETHICS
Signatories to the
Certification Rules will
endeavour to operate in accordance with the following ethics:
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To operate in a manner that
enhances and preserves the natural, social, cultural and economic values
of the Great Barrier Reef
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To act honestly, fairly and
with professional courtesy at all times
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To maintain the highest
level of safety and maritime practice
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To provide accurate
information on the cultural and natural resources of the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park
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To strive for excellence in
quality of service to customers
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To work cooperatively with
management agencies to ensure the preservation of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park
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To protect and present
World Heritage values
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To foster an environment
ethic amongst all involved in marine tourism
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To market and promote a
product with integrity and honesty
BEST PRACTICE – Whitsunday
Charter Boat Industry Association Inc
The
members of the WCBIA
agree to support and adopt
best practice principles for the following:
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SAFETY AND MARITIME
OPERATIONS & PRACTICE
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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND
TRAINING
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PROMOTION AND PRESENTATION
OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF WORLD HERITAGE AREA
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RESPONSIBLE FISH FEEDING &
REGULATED FISHING
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RESPECTING MARINE LIFE AND
THEIR HABITAT SUCH AS WHALES AND OTHER MARINE MAMMALS
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RESPECTING & PROTECTING
ISLANDS AND ADHERING TO REGULATIONS
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RECOGNISING AND SUPPORTING
MARINE RESEARCH AND MONITORING
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SUPPORTING THE LOCAL
COMMUNITY
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MARINE PARK
AREA MANAGEMENT & PROTECTION THROUGH BEST PRACTICE
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PROMOTION AND ADVERTISING WITH HONESTY AND
INTEGRITY
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