Protected sanctuary zones in the popular Batemans Marine Park on the South Coast would be shrunk by almost 80 per cent under changes being considered by the NSW Government, conservationists say.
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In the Batemans park, the rezonings could include beaches and headlands at: North Head, Congo Point South Beach and Mullimburra Point to Bingie Beach, Brou Beach, and Bullengella Beach and Bogola Head Beach to Loader Beach.
These changes would seek to extend a fishing amnesty that has been in place since December 2014, allowing line-only shore-based fishing in those popular spots.
''Marine sanctuaries, where marine life is protected, are essential to building the resilience of our marine environment so it can bounce back from these shocks.''
Nature Conservation Council campaigns director Daisy Barham said 95 per cent of more than 7500 submissions opposed the proposed rezoning plans.
“This [plan] would mean the areas that have been fully protected to conserve the wonderful marine life in NSW would be drastically cut and would represent a significant backward step in marine protections under the Baird Government,” she said.
“Some of these sites are home to threatened species, others form part of internationally recognized RAMSAR listed wetlands or have unique habitat that is important nursery grounds for local fish populations.
“Marine sanctuaries, where marine life is protected, are essential to building the resilience of our marine environment so it can bounce back from these shocks.”
A spokesman for the Environment Minister said submissions from the public and interested groups were being considered.
“The Government is currently considering rezoning 10 sites across these four marine parks from sanctuary zones to habitat protection zones,” he said.
“The proposed change, if adopted, would mean that only shore-based recreational line fishing would be permitted in these areas (noting that an amnesty has been in place at these sites allowing shore-based recreational line fishing since December 2014).
“Other fishing will continue to be prohibited.”