Media release Thursday, 14 December 2006
Port Stephens – Great LakesMarine Park Zoning Plan out today
State Plan Priority E4: Better outcomes for native vegetation, biodiversity, land, rivers and coastal waterways
The final zone plan for the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park achieves a sensible and balanced outcome for the local community and the environment, Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald said today.
The Minister unveiled the long awaited plan at Port Stephens this morning.
Mr Macdonald said that under the zone plan:
- Keen anglers will retain access to key parts of Broughton Island and Little beach, both popular spots with locals and visitors;
- Commercial fishers can continue to harvest pippis off Yagon beach, with improved access to Smiths Lake that will ensure fresh quality local seafood is still available; and
- The grey nurse shark will benefit with significantly increased protection at important aggregation sites such as The Pinnacle, Seal Rocks and Broughton Island.
“The plan will provide good environmental outcomes, while maintaining quality fishing and other recreational opportunities for all,” Mr Macdonald said.
“It’s important to remember that more than 80% of this park will remain open to recreational fishing once the zones come into effect next March. Park users will have the summer period to become familiar with the new zoning arrangements
Minister Macdonald said there had been an exhaustive consultation process which helped shaped the final zoning plan.
“This involved more than 130 stakeholder meetings during the last 12 months, most of those in Port Stephens, Seal Rocks and Forster,” the Minister said.
“Approximately 43,000 drafts of the zoning plan were sent out and over 4,300 submissions were received. It is pleasing to see the local community having such a strong input into the development of the park to help ensure there was a sensible outcome.”
Bruce Schumacher, the Chair of the Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing, said “he was very pleased that the Minister for Fisheries has listened to the concerns of anglers and has negotiated changes to the original draft plan that are far more acceptable to recreational fishers.”
Mr Macdonald said the Port Stephens area is well known for its beautiful waterways and coastal attractions.
“This area is home to some of the best recreational fishing on our coast, and has an extensive tourism industry based around its extensive estuaries and offshore islands,” he said.
“Recreational fishing brings in over $10 million a year to the area and Port Stephens is also home to the biggest game fishing tournament in Australia, one of the biggest in the world.
“The good news is these benefits will continue, as the Port Stephen-Great Lakes Marine Park will truly be a multi-use park.”
Minister for the Environment, Bob Debus said there are excellent tourism opportunities in the park with the dolphin watching industry one of the best on offer, and is worth more than $5 million each year.
“The Member for Port Stephens John Bartlett has also been a staunch campaigner for the marine park over many years and it’s pleasing to see his efforts come to fruition today,” Mr Debus said.
“Mr Bartlett should be commended for his efforts and I know the Labor Candidate for Port Stephens Mr Jim Arneman has also taken a very keen interest in the Park.
“In fact, I understand he met with Minister Macdonald’s office within days of becoming a new candidate to receive a detailed briefing on the consultation process.”
The Iemma Government has committed $10 million to buy out commercial fishing effort in the park to give effect to the zoning arrangements, with the buy outs expected to be finalised early next year.
The park will be reviewed in 5 years time, and the maps of the new zoning plan will be available today at the Marine Parks Authority website and local DPI and DEC offices in the coming weeks.
An extensive education program will be carried out with the community prior to the new zoning rules coming in to place in March 2007.
Media Contact: Jamie Gibson 0408 961 367