26 June, 2015
Community gets a say in protecting Sydney’s coastline
The NSW Nature Conservation Council has welcomed the Baird Government asking the community to nominate places around Sydney’s coastline that deserve protection.
“The coastline of Sydney sets our city a part. Our marine environment is a place to relax, play, swim, fish and snorkel, and today the Baird Government has moved one step closer to protecting what makes it special,” Nature Conservation Council Campaigns Director Daisy Barham said.
“Today the Baird Government has taken the first step towards creating a marine park for Sydney and that’s very welcome by those of us who love our coastal lifestyle."
The Government has announced the first step in the Hawkesbury Shelf Assessment which aims to increase protection for the marine environment from Newcastle to Shellharbour. The Government has identified 15 locations and is inviting the community to nominate places that are important to them and state how they want them to be protected for the future. The web portal is at: www.marine.nsw.gov.au
“From Newcastle to Wollongong people love our coastline. It’s shocking to know that right now less than 1% of our coastline is highly protected. This project is an opportunity to increase protection for the future.
“Our incredible coastal lifestyle of swimming, snorkeling, fishing and kayaking depends upon a healthy environment.
“The people of greater Sydney from Newcastle to Wollongong are missing out on the benefits of a marine park. This process is the first step towards greater protection for our iconic lifestyle and environment that people in other parts of the state have had for years.
“Marine parks are not only great for marine life, they’re vital for securing our outdoor lifestyle. If Mike Baird follows through on his commitment to the ocean, we should have a marine park with sanctuaries for the Sydney region.”
Marine parks allow for a diversity of activities such as diving, fishing, swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. Marine sanctuaries, which are areas within marine parks that are fully protected from all extractive activities, give marine life a place to breed and recover.
More information:
- A 2014 Galaxy poll of 1000 NSW residents found that 90% of recreational fishers support no-take marine sanctuaries which protect important natural areas;
- NSW has 6 marine parks including Cape Byron, Solitary Islands, Port Stephens-Great Lakes, Jervis Bay, Batemans and Lord Howe Island;
- Less than 7% of NSW’s coastal waters are fully protected in marine sanctuaries;
- The Government is yet to restore protection to the remaining 10 marine sanctuaries where they allowed recreational line fishing from the shore, in 2013.
Tags
Marine Conservation
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