Media release 30 November 2005
New Marine Park for Manning Coast
NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald and Environment Minister Bob Debus today announced the creation of a new multi-use marine park for the State’s mid-north Coast.
The new Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park will protect of some of state’s most important estuarine systems, while allowing for fishing and other recreational and commercial activities.
“The 97,200 hectare Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park is a priceless addition to the state’s network of marine parks,” Mr Debus said.
“The park stretches south from the Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving Club, near Forster, to Birubi Beach Surf Life Saving Club, at the northern end of Stockton Beach.
“It includes Port Stephens and the Karuah and Myall rivers to their tidal limits, as well as the Myall Lakes system and Smiths Lake.”
Member for Port Stephens John Bartlett welcomed the announcement of the new marine park.
“The park will protect important areas of marine habitat and provide a significant tourism and economic boost for the Port Stephens area,” he said.
“We know from other marine protected areas, that over time, numbers of fish in the marine park will increase, providing benefits for both recreational and commercial fishers.”
“If you have a favourite fishing spot, or habitat area you would like protected, we need to know so we can factor it into the planning and ensure access is protected,” said Mr Bartlett
Mr Debus said the new marine park includes examples of most of the natural features identified in the Manning Bioregion, such as:
- a large number of islands, reefs beaches and intertidal areas;
- the largest areas of mangroves and saltmarsh in NSW;
- significant seagrass habitats;
- the largest resident population of bottlenose dolphins in NSW;
- Cabbage Tree Island - primary breeding habitat for the endangered Gould’s petrel; and
- Important sites for threatened species such as the grey nurse shark, black cod, Little terns and green turtles.
“We know from studies undertaken following the creation of the Solitary Islands Marine Park off Coffs Harbour in 1998 that around $6 million is injected annually into the regional economy.”
“This marine park has encouraged a vibrant tourism industry and protected a viable fishing industry, as well as the long-term sustainability of the coastal environment,” said Mr Debus.
Mr Macdonald said recreational fishing is allowed in 80 per cent of the state’s existing four marine parks, and will continue to be allowed in the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park.
“Commercial fishing will also be able to continue in many areas, and marine park zoning will take into account important commercial fisheries,” he said.
“In addition, $10 million will be spent on the buy-back of commercial fishing licences.
“The management of the new marine park will be shaped by an extensive public consultation process, including the establishment of a local advisory committee, information days and the public exhibition of a draft zoning plan.
Recreational and commercial user surveys will be widely distributed in the coming weeks to collect information and help with the development of a draft zoning plan.
Commercial, tourism and recreational activities such as aquaculture, scuba diving, and whale and dolphin watching cruises will also continue within the new park. Access to beaches in the new marine park will also remain unchanged.
“In fact, there is already evidence that marine parks generate significant tourism dollars and protect marine life,” Mr Macdonald said.
The NSW Government is now inviting members of the community to apply for a position on an advisory committee to guide the park’s planning and represent local interests.
The draft zoning plan will be placed on public exhibition for three months early next year, and stakeholder briefings will be held during this period. The MPA will also consult local Aboriginal people about cultural practice activities in the marine park.
The State Government has also announced a new marine park on the South Coast and a final zoning plan for Cape Byron Marine Park, on the North Coast.
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