NPA calls for extended Marine Parks in NSW

12:08 AM Tue 9 Dec 2008 GMT

'Taking a tinny out on the harbour might soon be a thing of the past, while commerical fishers are concerned about the impact on their industry.' . Click Here to view large photo

The National Parks Association says new marine parks along the NSW coast are needed to protect endangered species, translating to banning all forms of fishing in those areas.

The association is proposing five new marine parks along the New South Wales coast, including one that stretches from the New South Wales central coast to Waterfall, covering 215,880ha. It also includes many of the state's most famous beaches.

The parks would involve fish sanctuary zones and a ban on mining in the area.
The NPA, a non-government conservation organisation, unveiled its marine park proposals while launching a report called The Torn Blue Fringe, which claimed NSW marine life was in trouble.

The NPA has enlisted famous marine activist, Valerie Taylor to launch its proposals, already endorsed by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

The proposed marine parks would be in the Yamba, South West Rocks and Camden Haven areas on the North Coast, off Sydney and a South Coast park at Twofold Bay, while extensions were sought to the existing Jervis Bay marine park.

NPA spokeswoman, Nicky Hammond says it is time the Government took action.
'They haven't actually made any major marine protected area commitments since 2005,' she said. 'They've been ignoring this whole stretch of the coastline between Wollongong and Newcastle, and now is the time that we really need them to step up their game. We're having issues with the marine environment and with our fish stocks declining.

'What we want do is to ensure that we've got this beautiful stretch of coast along here and to ensure that we're properly looking after it for the future.'

The proposed no-take reserves are among a range of recommendations made by the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA), including the establishment of a 130,000ha Sydney Marine Park and extension of the existing Jervis Bay Marine Park.

NPA executive officer Andrew Cox said the changes would prevent commercial and recreational fishing in large sections of coastal waters but would ultimately benefit the fishing industry.

'We're looking for 20 per cent of the NSW coastline to be protected and that leaves 80 per cent of the coast still available for fishing,' he said.
'If we don't conserve these areas, fish stocks will decline. We want to protect breeding areas.'

Recreational anglers fear the no-fishing zones would be placed around productive fishing spots, leaving only barren areas, devoid of species anglers target.
Anglers' Action Group president, Phil Ingram said the Sydney area, called the Hawkesbury Shelf bioregion, already had 27 marine protected areas, including 10 aquatic reserves and 17 national park and nature reserves with substantial marine components.

NSW Fishing Clubs Association president, Robert Smith said a Federal Government risk assessment has found recreational fishing had negligible impact.

by Jeni Bone

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NPA calls for extended Marine Parks in NSW

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