 It was created on 5 November 2004 by the amalgamation of the following former marine parks - the Mackay/Capricorn Marine Park, the Townville/Whitsunday Marine Park, the Trinity Inlet/ Marlin Coast Marine Park and the Cairns Marine Park, along with the addition of previously unprotected area of coastal water that adjoined the former marine parks listed above.The marine park is intended to complement the adjoining GBRMP by the use of "similar zone objectives, and entry and use provisions".It is managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.