After the recent review of recreational fishing regulations by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) the allowable number of witches hats has been decreased from five to four and the allowable number of crab traps has been increased from one to two.

This may actually increase the accidental drowning of turtles if the additional traps are the "wide-mouth" type, which are also known to drown turtles.

The DPI ignored advice from conservation groups to ban witches hats, which was supported by a petition signed by almost 15,000 people to ban the use of witches hats in NSW (they are already banned in Queensland).

The DPI has recently been considering advice to ban witches hats and wide-mouth traps specifically in Port Stephens because of the well-known turtle drowning problem in this marine park area.

The proposed ban would not prohibit recreational crab fishing in any areas where it is already allowed.

It would simply require fishers who use this type of gear to either modify their witches hats or wide-mouth traps in a manner already recommended and specified in the 2014 NSW Recreational Saltwater Fishing Guide or preferably purchase readily available crab dilly nets or traps with smaller entrances.

However, the DPI executive and Marine Parks management now say that the ban cannot be implemented before this holiday season (when recreational crab fishing in Port Stephens is at its peak) because it would require public consultation and restructuring of marine park zones.

This is very confusing, considering that the announcement to allow recreational fishing in some marine park sanctuary zones over 18 months ago was not preceded by any public consultation or restructuring of any marine park zones.

Marine parks should support recreational fishing but must also conserve biodiversity of marine life, particularly endangered species.

Bruce Pease

Soldiers Point