February 29, 2016
Sydney Marine Park one step closer for marine life and coastal communities
Leading environment groups have welcomed the NSW Government’s first steps to create a Sydney Marine Park to protect our incredible marine life and way of life.
The government has released the Hawkesbury Shelf Marine Bioregion Assessment report which looks at ways to enhance the health of the marine environment between Newcastle and Shellharbour, including Sydney Harbour and beaches.
The report identifies a number of threats to our marine environment, including climate change, shipping, over-fishing, coastal development and pollution. It recommends a number of initiatives to address these threats.
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW’s Campaigns Director Daisy Barham said, “The report makes clear that Sydneysiders love our beaches and marine life and the coastal lifestyle in and around Sydney but we’re at risk of loving it to death.
“Unsurprisingly people want to see cleaner water and more abundant and diverse marine life. The report identifies a number of factors which threaten the health of our estuaries, beaches and seas, including climate change, over-fishing, inappropriate coastal and foreshore development and pollution.
“A science based marine park with protected sanctuaries for Sydney is one of the fundamental tools in the toolbox of ocean conservation. It is wonderful to see this option recognised as a way to respond to a large number of the environmental and social threats identified in the report.
CEO of the National Parks Association Kevin Evans said, “The need for a marine park in the Sydney region has been established for many years.
“It is reassuring to see this document recognise that the current network of aquatic reserves across the region don’t meet the internationally recognised principles for conservation planning and are not comprehensive, adequate nor representative.
“There is huge public support for marine parks and sanctuaries in NSW. Polling and surveys consistently show that around 90% of people, including fishers, support marine parks and sanctuaries where marine life is protected from fishing. So a Sydney Marine Park option is both great for the health of the marine environment and is popular.”
Marine Parks Campaign Manager from the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Fiona Maxwell said, “If done right, a marine park for Sydney offers a bright future for the region’s sea life and economy. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that marine parks with sanctuaries rebuild our marine wildlife. Marine parks and sustainable fisheries deliver an environmental and economic win-win.
“What is needed now is a science based process that engages the community to create a marine park that protects our marine life and benefits all ocean users.
“Sydney is renowned for our spectacular beaches, lagoons and of course the Sydney Harbour which is loved by all. A marine park will help protect marine life and continue to provide a playground to fish, snorkel and surf.”
The assessment is open for public comment until 24 April 2016, more information can be found at: http://www.marine.nsw.gov.au/key-initiatives/hawkesbury-shelf-marine-assessment.
For media comment:
Daisy Barham, 0402 335 664
Kevin Evans, 0457 797 977
Fiona Maxwell, 0450 035 809
Background information:
- There are six existing marine parks in NSW - Cape Byron, Solitary Islands, Port Stephens – Great Lakes, Jervis Bay, Batemans, Lord Howe Island.
- The existing marine parks in NSW are all multi-use and support a mix of activities in dedicated use zones. The zones support commercial and recreational fishing and include dedicated marine sanctuaries where extractive activities, including fishing and mining, are not allowed.
- A 2012 Independent Scientific Audit of Marine Parks in NSW recommended the current system of marine parks be maintained and mechanisms found to extend protections to the Hawkesbury Shelf Marine Bioregion.
- The Hawkesbury Shelf Marine Bioregion is the area from Stockton Beach north of Newcastle to Shellharbour.
- Currently this area has a number of very small aquatic reserves with varying levels of protections. Less than one percent of this area is no-take and dedicated to biodiversity conservation.
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Marine Conservation
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