9 January, 2014
Government poised to revoke marine sanctuaries, placing unique marine life at risk
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has renewed its call for the NSW Government to end an amnesty on illegal fishing in marine sanctuaries, comparing fishing in sanctuaries to hunting in national parks.
The amnesty came into effect last year when the Minister for Primary Industries instructed fisheries officers not to enforce laws that prohibit recreational fishing in marine sanctuaries next to the shore.
The government has now received advice from the Marine Estate Management Authority and is poised to make a final decision on whether to revoke marine sanctuaries along the coast.
“Fishing in a marine sanctuary is like hunting in a national parks,” said NCC Marine Campaigner Daisy Barham.
“Marine sanctuaries are the national parks of the sea. They were established to provide safe havens for our extraordinary marine wildlife and their underwater habitat.
“Premier O’Farrell acted correctly and courageously when he blocked plans to allow amateur shooters to roam free in our national parks. Now, we are urging him to hold the line on protection for our marine life.”
The government has also announced that it intends to review the zoning arrangements for marine parks, starting with the Solitary Islands and Batemans Marine Parks.
“Given the government’s poor track record on marine conservation, we are deeply concerned about the proposed review of marine park zoning plans,” Ms Barham said.
“Over the past three years, Premier O’Farrell has led a succession of backward steps on marine conservation in our state, removing important protections for threatened marine species and their habitat.
“This summer, our marine life has less protection than at any time in the past decade. While the rest of the world is moving ahead on marine conservation, our state is going backwards.
“Premier O’Farrell is out of step with the strong community support for marine conservation. More than 85 per cent of NSW residents support marine protected areas, even if it means excluding fishing activities. [1]
“Marine parks are vital assets for coastal communities like Coffs Harbour, Batemans Bay and Port Stephens, which rely on healthy seas for long-term industries like tourism, fishing and recreation.
“Fishers and non-fishers alike agree that important marine habitats should be protected in sanctuaries free from fishing.” [2]
BACKGROUND
• NSW has six multiple-use marine parks (Cape Byron, Solitary Islands, Port Stephens-Great Lakes, Jervis Bay, Batemans and Lord Howe). Marine parks allow for different uses in different zones, the majority permit recreational fishing and some types of commercial fishing.
• Only 7% of NSW coastal waters are protected in no-take marine sanctuaries.
• NSW waters are home to sea turtles, dolphins, seals, weedy seadragons and schools of big fish like tuna.
• Marine sanctuaries are supported by the Australian Marine Science Association (AMSA), an organisation of over 1000 marine scientists. [2] Sanctuary areas are proven to increase the abundance, diversity and size of marine life within their boundaries and can help protect against the impacts of climate change.
• NSW Government polling found 85% of NSW residents support protection of some areas of the marine environment, even if it means recreational and commercial fishing is excluded. In Sydney, the support is even higher, at 89%.
REFERENCES
[1] NSW and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW February 2010, Who cares about the Environment in 2009. Available at: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/community/whocares2009.htm
[2] Australian Marine Science Association 2012, Position Statement on Marine Protected Areas. Available at: https://www.amsa.asn.au/PDF-files/Submissions/AMSA_MPA_PositionStatement_June2012_final.pdf
Tags
Marine Conservation
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