Politicians join push for tougher marine life protection, clearer signage at Cronulla after blue groper speared

Politicians have joined a chorus of community voices calling for harsher penalties, better marine protection and clearer signage at Cronulla after a beloved blue groper was illegally speared.

The community have called for better marine protection, more education, harsher penalties and clearer signage at Cronulla after blue groper was illegally killed. Picture: Supplied

Politicians have joined a chorus of community voices calling for harsher penalties, better marine protection and clearer signage at Cronulla after a beloved blue groper was illegally speared.

It comes as more of the protected fish have been killed.

A man was issued with a $500 on the spot fine by NSW Police and a $300 fine by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) after he used a spear to kill a blue groper at Oak Park Beach on December 30.

Many believe the fish was “Gus”, who lived in the area for about 40 years.

It is illegal to take a groper by any method other than a line or handline and following the fish’s death, a group of residents called for better protection of Bate Bay.

Now, the NSW Opposition has called on the state government to take urgent action to better protect NSW’s marine emblem, the eastern blue groper.

Shadow Minister for the Environment Kellie Sloane said three female blue gropers were killed by a spearfisher on the South Coast near Jervis Bay last Friday - only a week after the Oak Park spearing.

A man was fined $800 in total for spearing the blue groper. Picture: Supplied

“These are senseless and deeply upsetting situations and we need to make sure there are no more deaths of our iconic and much-loved blue groper fish this summer,” she said.

“While most recreational fishers in NSW are doing the right thing, some are either ignorant of the laws or are deliberately breaking them.”

“Blue gropers are our labradors of the sea, loved by many in our community and the Minns Labor Government needs to urgently act to better protect this iconic fish.”

Ms Sloane said there was an “urgent need” for the government to invest in greater education campaigns, to improve signage and review penalties to ensure they are a sufficient deterrent.

Earlier, swimmer Peter Green and his swimming group called on the DPI to declare Bate Bay a marine protected area and aquatic reserve and to improve signage.

Sutherland Mayor Carmelo Pesce has backed residents’ calls and said Gus’ death emphasised the urgent need for better protection.

Peter Green wants to see clearer signage. Picture: Supplied

Cr Pesce also called for the penalty notice issued by Fisheries NSW to be reviewed and wants to see the maximum penalty of $22,000 imposed.

“The loss of Gus the groper underscores the inadequacy of existing signage in protecting our endangered wildlife effectively,” he said.

Cr Pesce said there was confusion around spearfishing boundaries.

“Spearfishing is prohibited in all waters west of Glaisher Point,” he said.

Cronulla swimmers deeply saddened by the illegal killing of the blue groper. Picture: Supplied

“Unfortunately, Glaisher Point has proven to be not easily identifiable for some spearfisherman, leading to unintentional harm to marine life and posing risks to local scuba divers.”

At the next council meeting, the mayor will seek support from fellow councillors to urge the state to amend the spearfishing closure area to align with Shelly Beach Ocean Pool to provide a clearer marker.

“I believe it is crucial for the council to advocate to the state government for the establishment of an aquatic reserve in the area from Shelly Beach in the north to Bass and Flinders Point in the south,” Cr Pesce said.

“Such an aquatic reserve would not only permit a range of marine activities, including boating, scuba diving, snorkelling, and swimming, but would also provide a more robust framework to protect the vital marine environment in this area.”