Marine park proposal: Central Coast Sealions host public meeting

THEY came in their hundreds with the same goal, and that is to stop the State Government’s marine park plans which they say will destroy their businesses and ruin fishing across the Coast.

The Central Coast fishing community gathered at a public meeting to oppose State Government marine park plans last night.

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FISHERS across the Central Coast are uniting against proposed marine park plans.

More than 300 people attended a public meeting at Breakers Country Club in Wamberal last night hosted by spearfishing club the Central Coast Sealions.

The room was packed with commercial and recreational fishermen and women, local clubs, charter operators, tourism businesses, along with fathers and sons.

The message of the evening - through passionate and sometimes heated debate - was simple; unite against proposal and make your voice heard.

The debate was passionate and often heated.

The State Government’s proposed plans include sanctuary zones areas in and around Bird Island, Norah Head, Tuggerah Bay, Forresters, Bouddhi National Park, Ex-HMAS Adelaide and Lion Island. The aim behind the proposal is increased protection of the coast, beaches, headlands and marine life.

The Coast has until September 27 to comment on the proposed plans.

Central Coast Sealions committee member Alex Hamilton said local fishermen are affected by the areas of the plan called “spatial management” which he called “marine park lockouts”.

He said the proposal would take 50 per cent of his club’s shore-based grounds, also eliminating many access points ideal for children and learners.

“Recreational fishers are already subject to constantly reviewed size and bag limits and by banning fishing from these areas of the coast there will be significant social and economic impacts,” he said.

Nathan Bajada, from Central Coast Game Fishing Club, said the proposal was “horrendous”.

Scott Thorrington, owner of a Terrigal charter boat company, said the proposal’s sanctuary and conservation zones will “destroy my business”.

“Every national park bounded by water will be a marine park and we will be locked out of that,” he said.

“We need to bombard (Terrigal state Liberal MP) Adam Crouch with letters, calls and voice our opinions. We are all in the same boat.”

Central Coast Game Fishing Club’s Nathan Bajada said the proposal was “horrendous” for game fishermen.

“A lot of people end up game fishing in these areas. It promotes fishing,” he said.

“We want to promote fishing for kids, a healthy culture and an outdoor lifestyle. This proposal destroys it.”

The proposed Forresters site came as a “shock” to local fishers

Glenn Buff, of Forresters Beach, said the Coast will be impacted the most from the proposed marine parks.

“There has been no site specific research done,” Mr Buff said. “I am a Forresters Beach local and this proposal means no one can go there to fish. They are going to condense us into smaller areas which will cause potential conflicts.”

He said money spent on the marine parks would be better spent cleaning up the waterways including the Hawkesbury River.

A map of the NSW Government's proposed marine sanctuary

Spearfishing Association of NSW President Peter Saunders said the proposal would result in major problems to the safety of fishermen.

“Safety is a paramount concern. The only place protected in a southerly is Norah Head,” he said.

“Don’t be fooled by science. It’s got nothing to do with science. If science was getting put into the debate, you would be looking at pollution. We need to act as one. We are all fishermen.”

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