News Release March 8th, 2009
Solitary Islands Marine Park Officers take to the air
Solitary Islands Marine Park officers will take to the air this weekend as part of their ongoing aerial surveillance and monitoring program.
Marine park staff will not only be looking out for illegal activity, but will be monitoring and documenting human activity in the park and documenting marine wildlife sightings. MPA staff will also be on the look out for unauthorised foreshore development in estuaries such as boat ramps and any damage which may affect mangroves or salt marsh.
Solitary Islands Marine Park is one of six marine parks in NSW. It was established in 1998 and was the first marine park to be declared in the state.
The marine park is home to 550 species of reef fish, 90 species of hard coral and 600 species of molluscs. The marine park also supports a range of threatened and protected species such as the grey nurse shark, black cod, turtles, whales, shore birds and rare marine algae.
Manager of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, Nicola Johnstone said the helicopter was an effective way to monitor the whole of the 71,000 hectare park, including the offshore islands, foreshore and estuaries in less than two hours.
“North Solitary Island is the furthest offshore island off the coast of NSW, and the use of the helicopter improves surveillance in these more remote areas.”
Ms Johnstone said patrols would start at Coffs Harbour and fly to the northern boundary of the park at the Sandon River and would include checks over the Solitary Islands and Pimpernel Rock, in Commonwealth waters.
“New camera equipment and GPS technology enable marine park rangers to accurately determine a vessel’s location and take very clear image of boats doing the wrong thing in the park, such as fishing the sanctuary zones, which have been created for the long term conservation and biodiversity of marine life.
For information on the SIMP visit www.mpa.nsw.gov.au or call into the office at 32 Marina Drive, Coffs Harbour Jetty or phone (02) 6652 0900.Media Contact: Tonia Liosatos
Telephone: 02 6495 5024
Mobile: 0418 820 504
After Hours: 02 9995 5347