protected area has been established around the recently scuttled Chinese freighter Xing Da .

The area is located at 32 degrees, 25.027 minutes north and 64 degrees 54,375 minutes west over the site of the Xing Da .

The main effect of the order -- issued under the The Fisheries Protected Areas Order -- is to prohibit fishing of any sort, including spear fishing and lobster diving. Mr. Pearman added that an Amendment Order published in today's official Gazette indicates a further, and important, change to the existing legislation.

The order also amends the Principal Order to prohibit the anchoring of any vessel in any of the areas protected.

The change, which now applies in nine recognised dive sites and the seasonally protected areas, mirrors restrictions applied in other jurisdictions such as Florida and the Caymen Islands.

The changes have come about on the advice from the Marine Resources Board and follows controversy recently with the sinking of the Xing Da .

In a press statement, Mr. Pearman said the Board recognised the use of anchors in protected areas undermined the intention of providing an undisturbed habitat for SCUBA divers, snorkellers, and other passive marine uses, Fishermen meanwhile have said the continual use of dive sites by commercial and individual divers hurts some reef-dwelling fish. The no-anchoring order is a result of those concerns.

The new regulations -- while not only protecting the marine environment -- will also protect divers and snorkellers by reducing the likelihood of encountering nets, mono-filament lines, hooks, or lost traps.

The law provides for punishment on the summary offence of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $5,000, or both. Vessels, equipment, and fish are subject to forfeiture.

Mooring bouys mark the following nine protected wreck sites: South West Breaker area -- 600 metre radius; Constellation area -- 500 metre radius; Eastern Blue Cut area -- 600 metre radius; Pelinaion and Rita Zovetta area -- 500 metre radius; Hermes and Minnie Bressleur -- 500 metre radius; Kate area -- 300 metre radius; Vixen area -- 100 metre radius; North Rock area -- 1,000 metre radius; Xing Da area - 200 metre radius.

These areas are not to be confused with the seasonally protected areas, namely the South Western, North Eastern, Eastern, and Commissioners Point areas.

These areas are protected -- with no anchoring or fishing permitted -- between May 1 and August 31 each year.

SHIP SHI GOVERNMENT GVT