Gordon’s Bay Amateur Fishing Club faces ban under new Marine Park zone laws
IT’S the charming fishing club stooped in history that is nestled along Sydney’s eastern suburbs coastline. But members of the Gordon’s Bay Amateur Fishing Club say charm could turn to electoral harm for the State Government unless they reverse their fishing ban.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Gordon’s Bay Amateur Fishing Club survived the legendary ocean storms of April 2015 and May 1974 but its 70 members fear it won’t endure the NSW Government’s controversial plans for a Sydney Marine Park.
The club is nestled into the eastern suburbs jagged coastline, its little tinnies uniquely sitting on wooden framed launching ramps called “skids” in the modest cove hidden between Clovelly and Coogee Beaches.
It also sits in the middle of one of the largest Marine Park zones where any form of fishing would be banned.
MORE FROM BEN PIKE
HIGH RISE SUBURBS COP ‘MERITON TAX’
COUNCILS TARGET BOATS PARKED IN SUBURBAN STREETS
Part of the plan makes recreational and commercial fishing illegal in a 2028ha area of the coast, between the south end of Bondi Beach and the north end of Coogee beach and extending three nautical miles out to sea, designated as a “sanctuary zone”.
Members of the 54-year-old club range from age 15 to 94 and where blindsided by the park plan announcement on August 15.
“People have been members here for more most of their lives and can’t believe the damage this ban will do to the club,” club secretary Ryan Bellingham said.
“Older members say they won’t go past the three nautical mile zone because it’s simply too dangerous, especially if the weather turns.
“If this ban comes in then I fear our 70 members will soon stop paying fees,” Mr Bellingham said.
“We could be forced to shut the club down. I can tell the government this; we won’t cop this lying down.”
They aren’t alone.
Anglers have been outraged at what they claim is a lack of science behind the 25 no fishing zones within the Sydney Marine Park, which actually stretches between Newcastle and Wollongong, and includes Sydney’s coast and Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay waters.
South Sydney Amateur Fishing Association president Stan Konstantaras, who’s also Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW president, said the “lock outs” will have a devastating effect on his club and fishing in Sydney.
“If this ban goes ahead we could see our membership slashed from 200 to 100 in a few short years,” he said.
“This is hands-down the dumbest thing I have seen in my life. There is no species that we recreationally fish which is under threat.”
The anger is fast becoming a problem for the government. Facebook group Stop the Lockout already has 19,782 members. There have been 851 posts opposing the ban since its announcement. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party say 900,000 fishers will be affected and they will target marginal seats including Drummoyne, Oatley, East Hills, Coogee and Hawkesbury.
Boat Owners Association of NSW president Andrew McKinnon said “this government has made this decision without any real facts behind it and are taking a very green perspective”.
Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair will hold a crisis meeting tomorrow with fishing advocates. Asked what the primary reason for fishing bans is, he said: “I am not saying fishing is the (major) risk (to the environment). Issues likes water quality and an increasing population means you’ve got more people coming in and wanting to fish”.
“We need to identify sensitive areas and talk about how we manage that,” he said. “I’m not saying the proposal will be the final outcome.”
The plan is now in a six week “public consultation” phase.