Port recreational fishermen Dave Donovan, Brent Hancock, Laurie Chadder and Allan Austin say a review is long overdue and have started an online petition to have their case heard.

The petition calls on the NSW government and Labor opposition to commit to an urgent review involving all stakeholders prior to the next election [March 2019].

Labor MP Kate Washington has promised a NSW Labor government would initiate a marine park review “within 12 months of forming government”, while endorsed state Liberal candidate Jaimie Abbott said Minister Niall Blair had advised her of a review “in the next two years.”

Mr Donovan, a prominent Nelson Bay recreational fisherman, said it was alarming that no review had taken place since the marine park was established in 2007.

“The indication was that it would be held every five years. Regardless of whether people like or don’t like the marine park, we all agree a review is urgently needed,” Mr Donovan said.

Mr Hancock, owner of Tackle World Port Stephens, said they [authorities] have had more than a decade to collect the scientific data.

“It is time that all key stakeholders got together to look at the evidence and plan the marine park’s future,” he said.

“I believe we also need better education, we still have tourists and locals who are confused about the sanctuary zones.”

Mr Chadder said gone are the days when recreational fishermen would fish indiscriminately just to fill their buckets.

“Fishermen are more responsible nowadays and most are happy to catch what they need and release what they don’t,” he said.

Mr Austin, a Vietnam veteran who has lived in Nelson Bay for 20 years, said fishing was a means of great therapy and that “we all would like a say into its future management”.

The Port Stephens economy relies on the sport for tourism with millions of dollars spent on boats, charters, fuel, tackle and bait.

Click here to sign the online petition.

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