Will Fishing Be Allowed?

[inspin]

Will fishing be allowed?

By LARISSA MEIKLE

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

One concerned fishing group is not opposed to the marine park, but is woried the community could be locked out of 20 to 30 per cent of the park under no access sanctuary zones, without scientific justification.

Newcastle $%^&* vice president Geoff Ruse said the Marine Park Authority had failed to do an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the effects of the proposed park to back up its zones.

The marine park proposal covers about 97,000 hectares, which extends from Cape Hawke near Forster to the north end of Stockton Beach.

Mr Ruse is also worried about the lack of information available to the public and he believes he is not alone.

Recently Mr Ruse attended a public airing about the marine park at Nelson Bay.

He said a large crowd attended the meeting and he, like many others, welcomed the opportunity for locals to discuss the proposal.

"There has been a dearth of information and counter claims from the Marine Park Authority and a lot of political spin and hype from metropolitan politicians.

"So it was great to get first hand information, facts and figures from people who have been involved in this process in Cape Byron, which has been a total disaster for the Northern Rivers communities.

"Now we have a better understanding and appreciation of what we can expect here at Port Stephens."

Freedom to Fish is the slogan of Newcastle $%^&*, which is a branch of the NSW-based $%^&*, established last year to promote conservation of the environment through sustainable use and traditional management systems.

Another local conservation group, Newcastle Wilderness Society, does not agree with ECOfisher's stance.

The society's branch coordinator, Claire Dunn, believes the general public will not be locked out and will be free to carry out their recreational activities as normal.

Ms Dunn said the proposed marine park was multiple-use and there would be full access, unlike a national park.

"There are four certain zonings in the park, so fishers can still put a line in the water but there is no commercial fishing in sanctuary zones.

"Yet, in the larger zones, general use such as commercial fishing is permitted."

Ms Dunn said the park would be good for the economy with an increase in tourism.

She believes recreational fishers would return to the area as there will be an increase in fish numbers.

This is a similar platform to the State Government.

NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said there was evidence the marine park would generate significant tourism dollars and protect marine life.

He said the local advisory committee was still working on the plan, with the draft zone still weeks away.

[Geoff]

Ms Dunn said the park would be good for the economy with an increase in tourism.

She believes recreational fishers would return to the area as there will be an increase in fish numbers.

NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said there was evidence the marine park would generate significant tourism dollars and protect marine life.

What a load of garbage.

I wonder who sits in government & writes these motherhood statements

Geoff