Divers, environmental groups push for Chowder Bay marine protection in crackdown on fishing after ‘shock’ stingray discovery

The shock butchering of two beloved stingrays, found hacked to death in Sydney Harbour, has sparked calls for a crackdown on “unscrupulous” fishers. But the state’s peak fishing body thinks it’s “the dumbest idea on Earth”.

The discovery of the rays has ignited debate over fishing at the Sydney Harbour site.

The shock butchering of two beloved stingrays, which were found hacked to death in Sydney Harbour, has sparked calls for a crackdown on “unscrupulous” fishers.

But the state’s peak fishing body has hit back, labelling the push for an angling ban in the area the “dumbest idea on earth” and vowing not to go down without a fight.

Divers and environmental groups are leading a campaign for Chowder Bay, on the lower north shore, to be declared a “no-take aquatic reserve” after the remains of two large bull rays were found submerged in the water in August.

It is suspected that the bull rays — which were at least 20 years old and well-known by locals — were caught off the jetty by anglers before having their fins chopped off and being thrown back in the water.

The grim scene was discovered by divers and has sparked uproar within the Mosman community, with some locals condemning the act as “cruel” and “inhumane”.

The stingrays were believed to be aged around 20.

Jayne Jenkins, who dives in the area, said having the bay declared a no-take aquatic reserve would provide a “safe haven” for marine life.

The state’s agricultural minister, however, has thrown cold water on the proposal, arguing restricting fishing at the bay would be an “arbitrary” move.

The stingrays were discovered in the bay by divers.

Ms Jenkins said the recent incident was the latest example of “harmful fishing” at the relatively secluded bay, which is also home to a large population of white seahorses, octopus and moray eels.

“The two rays have been there for 20 years,” she said.

“They were just really friendly and an attraction to divers, and to see them the way we saw them was absolutely shocking.

“I’ve been diving at the bay for 30 years and it seems like all we’re ever doing is cleaning up fishing lines and hooks and even whole fishing rods.

Rubbish removed from the bay during a recent clean-up operation.

“We’ve seen eels with their throats split. a Port Jackson shark with its head cut off and undersized fish used as live bait.

“In the peak season, you can get up to 100 fishermen on the pier and they’re all allowed three roads each.

“We think that, at the very least, fishing should be done in an ethical and responsible manner.”

The push to have the bay declared a no-take aquatic reserve has been backed by Bill Drakopoulos, who owns the Ripples restaurant that overlooks Chowder Bay.

Restaurant owner Bill Drakopoulos.

“It’s paramount to preserve the spot because it’s one of the most beautiful parts of our country and we should preserve it,” he said.

In NSW, current laws allow fishers to catch stingrays with a saltwater bag limit of five, meaning up to five rays can be caught in a day. 

Recreational Fishing Alliance NSW president Stan Konstantaras said any proposal to limit fishing at Chowder Bay would be an “overreach” and would “not go down without a fight”.

“I think it’s the dumbest idea on Earth,” he said.

Stan Konstantaras, second from right, pictured with fellow fishers.

“We’re allowed to catch stingrays, and so why on Earth would we want to give up a spot like that for fishing based on a couple of stingrays? 

“I think it’s just an attempt by environmentalists to ban fishing.

“It’s not unusual for stingrays to be caught – I grew up eating skate and they are edible – you see them in fish markets, and people out there do eat the fins.

“I wouldn't go out of my way to catch one, but they are really nice to eat.

“The carcasses might look unsightly to a couple of divers, but that’s not a reason to ban fishing.”

Marine pollution at Chowder Bay.

NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the state government had no plans to give Chowder Bay marine protection status.

“To make an arbitrary decision to simply close it because of these circumstances, as tragic as they are, is not something that the government is looking to do,” Ms Moriarty said.

“There are a lot of people across the community who use that particular area for fishing.”

NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, however, believes NSW should follow laws in Victoria, which has strict rules around the catching of live rays, including bans on catching rays within 400m of any pier, jetty, wharf, rock wall or breakwater.

In a statement, a NSW Department of Primary Industries spokeswoman said the August incident had been investigated by fisheries officers, who had “not been able to obtain any information” as to the identity of the fisher.

The spokeswoman said fisheries officers would continue to “regularly conduct patrols” in the area with the aim of “deterring and detecting” any illegal activity.