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There will also be a specific catch and release zone

Al McGlashan says anglers are finally being acknowledged under radical changes to fishing rules in Batemans Marine Park

Unlocking some sanctuary zones in Batemans Marine Park will be a boon for families fishing over the summer holidays. Picture: Al McGlashan
Unlocking some sanctuary zones in Batemans Marine Park will be a boon for families fishing over the summer holidays. Picture: Al McGlashan

Marine park lockouts have been nothing but a disaster for NSW. Unlike everywhere else in

the world, where anglers are recognised as key assets to the parks’ wellbeing, in NSW the

green-influenced Labor Party targeted them as the villains. In 2007 Labor introduced their

marine park lockouts and effectively shut the door on every day Aussies and many of their

own supporters from some of the best fishing grounds in the state. More than a decade on

and now, with the coalition in power, the marine lockouts are still proving to be nothing

but toxic for the Government.

Instead of helping fish stocks, they appeared to have done the opposite for our most iconic

sportfish like snapper and kingfish with stocks continuing to decline since the introduction

of the parks. If only all the money squandered had been used for research so we could

better understand the fish we are trying to protect. And marine parks do nothing to fix the real issues like plastic and pollution.

Marine parks have not helped snapper with numbers contuneing to fall in NSW. Picture: Al McGlashan
Marine parks have not helped snapper with numbers contuneing to fall in NSW. Picture: Al McGlashan

Anglers, who are actually out on the water, as opposed to the Deep Greens in their coffee shops, are all too aware of the problems surrounding marine parks and have long been lobbying for change.

Last week we had a monumental win. For the first time sanctuary zones have been opened up to fishing. The Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall announced five new fishing zones would be created in the Batemans Marine Park on the South Coast. The five sanctuary zones identified for increased access are Brou Lake South, Freshwater and Foresters Bays, Montague Island and Nangudga Lake. 

Yellowtail kingfish also don’t appear to have benefited from marine parks. Picture: Al McGlashan
Yellowtail kingfish also don’t appear to have benefited from marine parks. Picture: Al McGlashan

The announcement couldn’t have come at a better time, with the summer break kicking off,

making it a massive win for kids and families who all want to wet a line over the holidays.

“Fishing is one of this State’s iconic pastimes and as Minister I’m keen to support our

recreational fishing industry, which generates $3.4 billion in economic output each year,”

Mr Marshall said. It really is a pleasure to be recognised instead of blamed!

Member for Bega Andrew Constance, who has long been a huge supporter of rec fishing, has seen first-hand the effects of the lockouts on his local community.

“The Greens and Labor locked up 85 per cent of the region’s best fishing grounds with the stroke of a pen, which was an absolute blow to our community’s recreational fishers,” he said. 

Bega member Andrew Constance and Minister for Agriculture Adam Mashall flank locals at Batemans Bay after the announcement. Picture: Supplied
Bega member Andrew Constance and Minister for Agriculture Adam Mashall flank locals at Batemans Bay after the announcement. Picture: Supplied

What is even more exciting for me is the introduction of a catch and release zone in Brou

Lake South. This is a non-extractive regulation and has very low impact so it is something I

would like to see included across all marine parks. It sets the precedent to bring our

marine parks in line with the rest of the world, where parks work with the community so the marine environment can be both enjoyed and protected. Just imagine what opening up places like Seal Rocks again would be like! It’s also great to see NSW Fisheries stepping up and backing the changes, especially after their disastrous role in the Sydney marine park fiasco.

Al’s Tips

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/there-will-also-be-a-specific-catch-and-release-zone/news-story/3503951668ee844146633af4edbe0b60