3 December, 2014
Survey shows tourism and health benefits of marine environment to Hunter communities
Hunter residents are the biggest fans of marine parks in NSW, according to a new survey of community attitudes to the marine estate.
The NSW Government Marine Estate Management Authority’s long-awaited Marine Estate Community Survey shows that the lifestyle and tourism benefits of the marine environment are deeply important to Hunter locals. [1]
The survey found 73% of Hunter residents were in favour of marine parks, well above the state average of 65%. Only 4% of Hunter residents said they opposed marine parks, while 23% were unsure. [2]
Hunter locals list littering, oil and chemical spills, sedimentation and overfishing as the key environmental threats to a healthy marine environment [3], and they want marine parks better protected from the effects of runoff. [4]
People in the Hunter were more concerned than any other community in NSW about the potential loss of tourism revenue if conservation areas were threatened by pollution or over-development (40% Hunter compared with 29% NSW). [5]
“This survey confirms what we’ve known for a long time – that coastal communities overwhelmingly support marine parks and sanctuaries,” Nature Conservation Council Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski said.
“It shows that Hunter residents understand better than most the importance of giving marine areas the protection they deserve.
“The survey also shows the Baird government is out of step with popular opinion on the issue. Given the strong support for marine sanctuaries in coastal communities, it is surprising and disappointing that the government is still actively undermining marine protection in this state.
“In March 2013, the government threatened some of the state’s most valuable marine ecosystems by allowed fishing from the shore in marine sanctuaries. The decision was to be reviewed by September 2013, but the government has still not restored protections to these areas.
“When Mike Baird became premier he said marine conservation was a priority for his government, [6] but so far he has failed to deliver. This summer, our marine life has less protection than at any time in the past decade.”
The economic value of marine sanctuaries to tourism in coastal areas across NSW was a major theme of the survey. Water pollution and loss of protected areas were identified as the greatest economic threats to NSW coastal areas.
Promoting the beauty and diversity of NSW coastal areas and increased educational access were seen as the greatest opportunities for the state’s regional communities.
REFERENCES
[1] http://www.marine.nsw.gov.au/key-initiatives/marine-estate-community-survey
[2] p169, Appendix 2
www.marine.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/531514/marine-estate-community-survey-report-appendix-2.pdf
[3] p188, Appendix 2
[4] p173, Appendix 2
[5] p159, Appendix 2
[6] Mr Stokes said a key priority for the Baird government would be to strengthen marine park protection. "There is going to be a renewed focus on environmental protection," Mr Stokes said. "The Premier has indicated that he is really keen that our marine estate is effectively protected." http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/rob-stokes-vows-to-help-protect-marine-areas-alongside-mike-baird-20140429-zr18j.html#ixzz30JZ0zinr
Tags
Marine Conservation
Let others know about this issue