Plenty of positives to marine parks
As a very keen recreational fisherman I'd like to show my total support for marine parks.
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I'm prompted to write as a result of a recent article regarding grey nurse sharks and the perceived tone of conspiracy that feel the article had [Why is the grey nurse shark threatened, Examiner, Opinion, October 28].
Like that author I've spoken to many eminent marine scientists and from those conversations my support for marine parks has grown. The science is there and marine parks should stay as they are.
Yes, it's relatively early days but land-based National Parks are here, work well and are generally accepted so why not the marine environment?
As recreational fishermen we need to understand that the ocean is not there for our exclusive use to catch a fish.
There are many that enjoy the marine environment without wetting a line and they should be given equal billing as to access and protection of that environment. But most importantly nature deserves some areas of their domain to simply exist without being impacted by humans.
I encourage people to experience the marine environment from below the surface in these marine parks and compare that with areas that are fully open to us.
There is a very obvious difference in the areas we do not disturb with a more diverse range of relaxed at peace life found there. So let's be grateful for the areas where we can fish and be happy to let others and nature enjoy some areas as they wish. It's a privilege not a right to use the marine environment.
Stuart Dayman, Boat Harbour
Roads promise comes at cost
As an engineer I am intrigued by Labor's statement that they will increase the Port Stephens Council roads budget.
Port Stephens has long had a problem with our roads mostly due to poor ground conditions, high rainfall and high usage with our many visitors. I therefore agree we need to spend money on our roads, but where does the hundreds of millions of dollars needed come from?
Labor has stated that they will not raise rates. Therefore, the next logical funding source is government grants. Port Stephens Council has been successful in getting grant funding from the Liberal State Government, however I wonder if that will continue if we have all three levels of our political representation controlled by Labor?
So where else does the funding come from? Are council staff and services going to be reduced? Are other council programs going to have their budgets cut? Where does the millions and millions of dollars needed come from?
Nicholas Diemar, Nelson Bay
Motorists missing out for bikes
JUDGING on the work going on in Fern Bay I assume the mayor of Port Stephens, Ryan Palmer, thinks there are more votes in pushbike riders than motorists who drive on the goat tracks there.
John Bonnyman, Fern Bay
Shark information a grey area
As a lifetime recreational fisher, I have come to the conclusion that the information passed on to us from NSW Fisheries relating to the grey nurse shark is misleading.
Enough is enough, in my opinion. Show us some evidence that recreational fishers are a danger to the future of the sharks or move on.
George Trinkler, Karuah
No surprises in unhealthy cuts
WHY is anyone surprised that the government is under-funding health services? It's in their DNA to under-fund public services and wait for private enterprise to fill the void. Hundreds of millions of dollars of our money has to be found somewhere to pay for the Kurri Kurri gas white elephant. I believe Scott Morrison thinks his gas plant is more important than your health.
John Arnold, Anna Bay
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