I support marine parks, as I believe we must protect sensitive aquatic habitat, recognise breeding grounds for all marine creatures and have control of what enters and leaves our waters.
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As world-wide population and associated pressures on the environment continue to grow, the establishment of marine parks will become increasingly important.
In 2007, when the Port Stephens – Great Lakes MP was announced, as the largest of the six marine parks in NSW, I was very supportive and had no hesitation involving myself as a member of advisory committees at both state and local levels.
The local committee was given the responsibility of drawing up the zones within the boundaries of the park which extended from Forster, south to Birubi and three nautical miles to sea.
All of the port, including the Myall system and feeder streams were included.
Major factors to be considered, we were informed by the government of the day, were the future of grey nurse sharks which were in dwindling numbers and, for the park to be effective, approximately 20 per cent of the park area was required as “Sanctuary Zone”. Both these “guidelines” are now in serious question.
We were told that the park boundaries and its effectiveness would be reviewed in 2012. A change of government put an end to that. Any marine park work carried out by the current government has progressed at the pace of a wounded snail.
Here we are heading into 2019 and nothing has happened to the original design, which at the time was rushed and based on no science or research evidence that I was aware of.
Related reading: Time is due for a marine park review
I am now of the belief that if logical reasoning or scientific evidence cannot be found for the existence of the current zones within the marine park then they should be removed.
With State elections fast approaching the time has come for the Port Stephens community and those who choose to visit to be given a commitment from the decision makers as to when a full and transparent review of the marine park will be conducted.
Related reading: Strategy doesn’t go far enough
I remain a supporter of the philosophy of marine parks as a way forward and would hope that, in the near future, all stake holders are given the opportunity to contribute towards a functional, well policed and managed marine park which we can all be proud to be a part of.
- John Clarke, “Stinker” Fishing columnist for the Examiner for more than 30 years
