24 September 2018
Manly ocean lovers take the water in support of marine sanctuaries
More than 110 ocean lovers from the Manly region took to the water on the weekend in support of a Sydney Marine Park that includes no-take sanctuary zones.
About 80 ocean swimmers from Manly’s Bold and Beautiful group took to Cabbage Tree Bay on Saturday and 30 divers, snorkelers and beach cleaners hit Manly Cove on Sunday. The divers and swimmers all have the same aim: to protect Sydney’s amazing marine life in sanctuary zones as part of a Sydney Marine Park.
The Bold and Beautiful group was set up by people who love ocean swimming and the stunning natural beauty of Cabbage Tree Bay. More than 16,000 people have now swum with the group since it began 10 years ago, with up to 500 people swimming daily during summer.
Fiona Dobrijevich, a daily 6am swimmer, has been ploughing these waters between North Curl Curl and Fairy Bower every day for 25 years, and less regularly for 40. “Despite the vast improvement in water quality, fish only thrive in the marine sanctuary. They don’t know anything about boundaries, but outside of the sanctuary it’s pretty barren. The difference between Freshwater Headland and the Bower in Cabbage Tree Bay is very evident.”
Elaine De Jager is a part-time teacher at local primary schools who swims every day with the 7am group. “Sanctuary zones within marine parks are so important and can only have a positive effect for everyone. The Cabbage Tree Bay area is a nursery for dusky whalers in summer and a breeding ground for giant cuttlefish and Port Jackson sharks in winter time. The kids I teach love hearing about the different animals I encounter each morning and we educate our friends about the amazing marine life we have right here in our blue backyard.”
Divers and snorkelers. A group of around 30 divers, snorkelers and beach cleaners participated in a Dive Against Debris in Manly Cove on Sunday at a regular event run by Dive Centre Manly and PADI Project Aware.
Richard Nichols is owner of Dive Centre Manly and president of Dive Industry Association of Australia. “When the marine sanctuary at Cabbage Tree bay was established 15 years ago it was completely barren,” he said. “There was virtually no marine life left in the bay, and many people asked why would you want to protect something that is so devoid of life? Since the protection was put in place the change has been incredible. The marine vegetation has regrown and the fish life has returned. Because of this is it is now by far the most popular dive location in Sydney because of the abundance of marine life. We urgently need more places like this in Sydney for all ocean users to enjoy.”
Ali Lekyam is a dive master and marine biologist. “It’s very clear that fish numbers are much lower in the harbour compared with the sanctuary zone at Cabbage Tree Bay,” she said. “We need to ensure our marine life has adequate sanctuary zones like Cabbage Tree Bay to help replenish dwindling fish stocks and ensure our marine ecosystems are healthy and resilient. Our precious marine life needs sanctuary zones to grow and reproduce but we also need those areas to be free from plastic if we are to give our marine ecosystems a chance to thrive.”
Sydney Marine Park consultation
Despite the government’s statement that sanctuary zones would not be part of the proposed Sydney Marine Park, marine sanctuaries are part of the proposal the public has been asked to comment on until this Thursday, September 27. Have your say on the marine park proposal at https://www.marine.nsw.gov.au/key-initiatives/hawkesbury-shelf-marine-assessment
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Marine Conservation
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