NEW SOUTH WALES

Beaches & Headlands in
Marine Park Sanctuary Zones

In June 2018, the NSW Government announced the Batemans Bay Marine Park is among ten ocean beach and headland sites across four marine parks in NSW that have been rezoned to allow recreational line fishing. This decision effectively halves the length of the NSW coast with top-level environmental protection.

NSW Department of Primary Industries Deputy Director General, Fisheries, Dr Geoff Allan, announced the downgrading of protection saying, ‘the decision to rezone the 10 sites from sanctuary zone to habitat protection zone to make shore-based recreational line fishing lawful, means that recreational line fishing from the shore will continue to be allowed along 44 kilometres of coastline in the Cape Byron, Solitary Islands, Port Stephens-Great Lakes and Batemans marine parks.’

Nature Conservation Council Campaigns Director Daisy Barham said: “The government has just halved the length of coastline with the highest level of environmental protection from 87km to just 43km’.

“Unfortunately, it appears Premier Berejiklian has again ignored scientific advice on an important conservation issue and made a decision for short-term political gain.’

“This decision is a blow for marine conservation and for coastal communities whose economies rely on marine parks and the presence of a healthy marine environment.’

 “The Coalition Government reduced protection by allowing line fishing from beaches and headlands in 30 marine sanctuaries along the NSW Coast in 2013 pending a review” she added. “The ban was restored to 20 sanctuaries in 2014 while the status of the other 10 was the subject of a review that resulted in a decision to permanently reduce protections.’

“Marine sanctuaries are essential for protecting marine life and the coastal lifestyles that make NSW such a great place to live. Many people who live in these regions will not thank the government for this decision.’

Vessel-based fishing and spearfishing continue to be prohibited at all 30 ocean beach and headland sites and any other pre-existing restrictions including bag and size limits also continue to apply.