Renewed calls for Sydney marine park to protect famous coastline
DISTRESSING images of an exhausted and frantic humpback whale caught in rope off southeast Sydney have prompted renewed calls for a Sydney marine park.
Southern Courier
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DISTRESSING images of an exhausted and frantic humpback whale caught in rope off southeast Sydney have prompted renewed calls for a Sydney marine park.
The majestic giant was spotted last week with a rope, wrapped around its tail and body causing visible, bloody injuries.
National Parks and Whale Watching Sydney tried in vain to help the whale. It was unable to be found the following day.
Coogee state Liberal MP Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith is one of a growing number of Liberal politicians who support a marine park in Sydney.
“Anybody who saw the pictures of that whale would be horrified to think this is going on out of sight,” Mr Notley-Smith said.
“This is just one we found. I believe the community is moved and now expect a marine park and for our marine life to be protected.
“There are critics who believe it will impact on recreational fishers, but time and time again it’s been shown marine parks increase fish stocks out of the zones.”
A Sydney marine park would include “sanctuary zones” to protect certain species and at critical times such as whale migrations.
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Recreational and commercial fishing would still be permissible in designated areas.
To date, less than 1 per cent of Sydney waters are protected.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society and Nature Conservation Council NSW have united to petition for the marine park.
Campaigner Sharnie Connell said a marine park would not stop all fishing debris “but it would make people more aware.”
“When we establish a marine park it sends a very clear message our coastal waters are valuable and we need to protect our marine environment,” Ms Connell said.
She said the marine park would be a “balance between stakeholders” and was not about excluding fishers.
She said bipartisan support for such a park was growing.
Greens MPs support the plan, at least three Liberals MPs had voiced support and it was already a Labor policy.
But the NSW Marine Estate Management Authority’s 2018-2028 draft strategy, released late last year, makes no mention of a Sydney marine park.
Ms Connell said the omission left her shocked and she made a submission for the park during community consultation.
The final report is expected this year.
Professional Fisherman’s Association chief executive Tricia Beatty said the marine park “didn’t address the real threats” to marine life.
“These are pollution and the environmental habitat degradation … we’d rather (the NSW Government) actually got rid of plastic bags.”
“We are supportive (of the marine authority) which is based on a scientific approach.”
The NSW Marine Estate Management Authority was contacted for comment.