Fishers call NSW Government hypocrites over marine park plan

RECREATIONAL fishers have labelled the NSW Government hypocrites, following the announcement fishing will be banned in some areas as part of new marine park plans along the coast.

Dean McWhinney, Gabriel Kim, Stan Konstantaras (President of the NSW Recreational Fishing Alliance) and Paul Cooper are calling on the State Government to change legislation to let rock fishers wear either a life vest, wet suits or life jackets. They say the law as it is written is ill thought out and doesn't suit different competency levels of fishing.

• New marine park for NSW
• Calls for a Sydney marine park

RECREATIONAL fishers have labelled the NSW Government hypocrites, following the announcement fishing will be banned in some areas as part of new marine park plans along the coast.

The State Government is seeking community views on the 25-site marine park between Newcastle and Wollongong to enhance biodiversity and control fishing along the coastal stretch.

Recreational and commercial fishing will be banned at La Perouse and from Bondi to Coogee.

Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW president Stan Konstantaras said thousands of fishers were outraged by the proposal.

A fisherman is seen fishing at Coogee, one of 25 proposed Marine Park sites between Newcastle and Wollongong, in Sydney.

“This is really hypocritical,” Mr Konstantaras said. “We’ve been dealing with fending off the port expansion for about 15 years. It’s ironic that we’ll rip the guts out of Botany Bay but ban recreational fishing.

“We’ve dredged it, we’ve ripped it and now we’re bringing a cruise terminal in. What about the millions of tonnes of raw sewage we’re pumping into the ocean? All these things are ignored. But ban line fishers.”

On Thursday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, with fellow MPs Gabrielle Upton, Niall Blair and Bruce Notley-Smith, heralded the news at Clovelly Beach, home of the blue groper.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian addresses the media with NSW Minister for the Environment Gabrielle Upton, and member for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith, announcing the plan at Clovelly Beach.

Coogee MP Mr Notley-Smith, who has championed a marine park in his electorate, said he was “thrilled to bits” with the news.

“We’ve put out to community consultation the most significant protection of the marine environment in NSW in history,” he said.

“In Coogee, the proposed conservation zone and sanctuary zone will cover 2000 square hectares. It goes from south Bondi to the northern end of Coogee Beach, out to sea a three nautical mile limit.”

Fisherman on the rocks off at Clovelly beach headlands.

Popular rock fishing spot Cape Banks is included in the protection zones.

Mr Konstantaras said it would only drive fishers out to more dangerous platforms.

“These restrictions are just going to make it harder,” he said.

The first stage of the 10-year Marine Estate Management Strategy would cost $45.7 million.

Have your say at marine.nsw.gov.au.

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