WW2 aircraft wrecks protected on reef

The government is imposing special measures to protect the wrecks of two World War II aircraft in waters on the Great Barrier Reef.

Both are RAAF Catalina flying boats that crashed in 1943, one off Bowen and the other near the Frankland Islands, south of Cairns.

Environment minister Greg Hunt said buffer zones will be placed around both sites with fishing and anchoring not allowed in a one-square-kilometre area. Diving will also be restricted.

Catalina A24-25 crashed off Cairns in February 1943, apparently after running out of fuel while returning from an anti-submarine patrol. All 11 on board were killed.

Catalina A24-24 crashed into the sea eight kilometres off Bowen in August 1943 during a training exercise. Fourteen of the 16 on board were killed.

Mr Hunt said the decision to provide greater protection for these two aircraft wrecks was prompted by direct requests from relatives of those who died.