http://www.2gb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5642&Itemid=90c click on this link and scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for 
to hear Ray Hadley talk to Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries Richard Sheldrake who rejects claims fishing will be banned in the Macleay River area and other regions on the NSW Coast. Fears Of Fishing Ban On The NSW Coast This email from Dave sparked concern that fishing could be banned in areas all along the NSW coast.
I would just like to bring to your attention a proposal by the NPA that will potentially have significant adverse affects on our small community.
In their report titled The Torn Blue Fringe available at the website is a detailed proposal for marine parks in the Smokey Cape, Macleay River areas. Of particular significance to Stuarts Point is found on page 141 Recommendation 9:
"That an area within the north arm of the Macleay River estuary (202ha), depicted on Map 6, be established as a no-take Aquatic Reserve." The most important phrase being ?no-take? ? this means no commercial or recreational fishing permitted.
The north arm mentioned runs from Kemps Corner near South West Rocks through Fishermans Reach, Stuarts Point and beyond to Grassy Head.
Knowing the area as you do Ray, I'm sure can you imagine the affect this will have on our local economy which is so reliant on the tourism and fishing industries for our survival.
Apart from tourism, recreational fishing provides a great outdoor activity for many of our town?s kids. They fish off the bank, from boats or canoes, they walk to and fish from the beach (also included in the report for exclusion).
What are these kids going to do, take up drugs and graffiti?
Ray spoke to the Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries, Richard Sheldrake.
He rejected claims that fishing will be banned on the NSW Coast, saying the National Parks Association (who published the report) is just another lobby group.
