In the media
Conservationists are welcoming what they say are encouraging signs the new Premier and Environment Minister could overturn an amnesty on recreational fishing in marine sanctuaries.
Sanctuaries within areas like the Solitary Islands Marine Park are currently open to shoreline recreational fishing.
The State Government hasn’t yet made the amnesty permanent.
New state Environment Minister Rob Stokes shares a passion for the ocean with Premier Mike Baird and has vowed to enhance protection of marine areas during his tenure.
The politicians are close friends, keen surfers and serve beachside electorates – Stokes in Pittwater and Baird in Manly.
Mr Stokes said a key priority for the Baird government would be to strengthen marine park protection.
…Mr Baird also indicated he wanted to improve protections for the state’s marine life, after the government has drawn fire for allowing fishing in marine sanctuary zones.
“I have a strong view on protecting our marine environment,” he said.
The government said last year it would not enforce fishing bans in marine sanctuary zones across the state, and would consider permanently lifting the prohibition.
The O’Farrell government remains divided over to whether to make permanent a so-called amnesty allowing anglers to fish in marine parks, delaying a decision possibly until after the elections next March.
THE $1.4 billion dive and snorkel industry is taking on the State Government over its plans to open no-go, green zones to amateur fishermen.
The government has created Australia’s largest fully protected marine reserve near two far-flung islands, in a move which environmental groups say will help safeguard rare whale species. The Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve has been expanded by 6,200 sq km following a scientific assessment of its conservation values. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/apr/04/creation-australias-largest-marine-sanctuary-win-whale-species
Byron Shire councillors resolved last Thursday, on the basis of a mayoral minute, to write to state government leaders expressing their concern over the current review of the NSW Marine Estate. The letter will ask the recipients to recognise the ‘enormous benefits’ that the Cape Byron Marine Park and sanctuaries provide to local economies and […]
A PETITION against the NSW government allowing fishing in the state’s marine sanctuaries has been endorsed by 150 businesses on the northern beaches. The signatures have been collected following the release of the Manly Warringah Business Statement for Sanctuaries, in which the Manly Chamber of Commerce voiced its opposition to the move. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/petition-against-fishing-in-marine-sanctuaries-has-attracted-150-endorsements-from-northern-beaches-business-community/story-fngr8hax-1226861370623
LOCAL businesses, community, science and environment groups have opposed plans by the NSW government to allow fishing in Jervis Bay Marine Park sanctuary zones. NSW Cabinet is due to meet on Monday to decide whether to permanently allow fishing from the shore in ocean facing marine sanctuaries in five marine parks in NSW, including Jervis […]
Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson will use the next council meeting to urge his fellow councillors to protest against recreational fishing in sanctuary zones in the Cape Byron Marine Park. In a mayoral minute, Cr Richardson asked the council to write to the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, Byron MP Don Page, and Fisheries and Environment […]
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