Anglers Ok On Reserve Plans

[mrmoshe]

Anglers OK on reserve plans

27 February 2008

MANLY Council's push for a marine safe haven could be a long way off with extensive community consultation needed before the plan goes ahead.

The council wants to extend its North Head Aquatic Reserve to include the beachfronts of Little Manly, Manly Cove and Forty Baskets. Local experts have said this area is a critical nursery for an array of marine creatures such as turtles, rays, sharks and tropical fish.

The reserve extension is not likely to ban recreational line fishing but would limit it to fin fish in line with the rest of the reserve.

Local angler and member of the Manly Fishing Club Greg Millward welcomed the move as long as he could still drop a line in.

"I don't think anyone would have a problem with that," Mr Millward said. "I would have a problem is they were going to shut for the local anglers."

Mr Millward was particularly supportive of the ban on spearfishing and cray diving as he believed it would stop people running around the rocks and disturbing the fish.

The extension will need approval from the Minister responsible for Marine Parks and Aquatic Reserves, Verity Firth. Yesterday a spokeswoman for the minister said they had not seen Manly's plans but approval would depend on evidence of community backing.

"We would certainly consider the proposal with an open mind," the spokeswoman said. "It will need to be done with proper planning and really extensive community consultation."

Manly councillor Judy Lambert who brought the issue before the council said now was the right time to try for an extension. The council failed previously to convince the State Government to expand the reserve.

[bayrunner]

"Local experts have said this area is a critical nursery for an array of marine creatures such as turtles, rays, sharks and tropical fish."

What sort of local experts are these? When was the last time a turtle was spotted breeding on Manly Beach?

My advice is tropical fish get swept there by the east Australian current. They perish when the next cold snap arrives.

I wonder how swimmers feel about hordes of juvenile rays and sharks around their ankles?