"Have Your Say" in Narooma News

[ACTAngler]

Posted by Shane Jasprizza
Wednesday, 2 August 2006

Re: Marine Park meetings start today

I hope Batemans Marine Park Manager, Mr Westaway is true to his word when he says "Feed back from the meetings will be collated and published and included in the submission process" (Marine Park meetings start today, 2 Aug 2006).

In the four or five meetings I've attended to date, I've yet to see anyone from the MPA lift a pen to write down anything that anyone has suggested.

[ACTAngler]

Board gauges Park's impact on tourism
Wednesday, 2 August 2006

The Eurobodalla Coast Tourism Board is seeking feedback from members regarding their views of the Batemans Marine Park draft zoning plan.
The Board held detailed discussions with representatives of the Batemans Marine Park at its meeting on July 27.

In view of its primary role of fostering tourism on the Eurobodalla Nature Coast, the tourism board is concerned to ensure that any negative market reactions are minimised.

The board believes that the huge amount of negative publicity surrounding the announcement of the Park has already led to significant misinformation and concern in key markets.

As a result, Eurobodalla Coast Tourism will be moving to dispel some of the misconceptions about the Park in future marketing. It will also be seeking feedback from members regarding the draft zoning plan in the preparation of a considered submission to the Marine Park Authority.

Tourism Board chairman Ken Buckley said that the size and location of a number of the sanctuary zones mean it is inevitable that some visitors (and residents) will lose favourite fishing locations. Local charter operators will also face challenges as regular fishing grounds become off limits.

"We also recognise there will be positive aspects for recreational anglers. Reduced commercial fishing pressure should be good for tourism - in fact we would like to see this go further, particularly in relation to key estuarine waters such as the Clyde River," Mr Buckley said.

"Tourism marketing, and the enhancement of the Nature Coast brand, can also benefit from the Marine Park. Its objectives are consistent with the promotion of our region as environmentally clean and unspoilt."

Members are encouraged to contact tourism manager Dene Moore to discuss concerns and assist in the formulation of the tourism board's submission on the draft zoning plan.

[ACTAngler]

Posted by Robert Smith
Tuesday, 25 July 2006

Dear Sir
The simple fact is NSW does not need Marine Parks with no-take or no-access zones with only a population of six million people.
What we need is a change of Government to stop the arrogance and the Labor/Green marriage which we are all financing one way or the other.
Coastal or Rural it does not matter as political deals are screwing all of us. For my marine research evidence please see the research pages on The Fishing Party website

Robert Smith
Chairman
The Fishing Party
0265560338
www.thefishingparty.info

Related Story: Time to speak up on Marine Park http://narooma.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?story_id=495583

[ACTAngler]

 
Have your say
Posted by Rowan Phelps
Sunday, 6 August 2006

A report titled 'Empty Oceans, Empty Nets' on the state of NSW fisheries produced by Paul Winn, whom has no fisheries qualifications, from the Nature Conservation Council and is the basis of claims by various greeen groups of declining fish stocks, has been scathingly criticised by fisheries experts from the University of British Columbia.
Prof. Tony J. Pitcher has slammed the report, this is a summary of the 15 page rebuttal of the report:
"The report lacks both consistency and rigour, analytical methods are not clearly described, fisheries science is not appropriately applied and there is a failure to comprehend the management systems and responsibilities in Australian fisheries. In summary, the published report is so seriously flawed that it should not be used or quoted"."we recommend that the Pew Charitable Trust withdraw this report from any further mailings and publish a statement recognising the ill informed and misleading nature of the arguments presented within the report".
 

[ACTAngler]

Concerns raised about park
Wednesday, 9 August 2006

THE first round of public meetings being held to get feedback on the Batemans Bay Marine Park saw about 60 people attend a meeting at the Narooma Golf Club last night.
Hosting the meeting was marine park manager Cameron Westaway who even prior to the meetings has been receiving input on the park zoning plans from those who work, play or rely on the marine environment.

Mr Westaway said he has been hearing from people concerned about loss of access to areas as well people who are either satisified with the balance of sanctuary and open areas, while some wanted greater habitat protection.

Specific to the Narooma Area, the park manager said he had been hearing concern about loss of access to Punkally Creek in the upper area of Wagonga Estuary as well the beach north of Brou Lake and the grey nurse protection area north of Montague Island.

Fishers have also complained about losing access to the "special protection zones" at Fuller's Beach and Mystery Bay, which would be sanctuary zones banning all extractive activity except for some commercial abalone diving.

People were also concerned about the special protection zones along Wagonga Inlet but Mr Westaway said these zones would allow fishing and development along the wharf and boardwalk.

On the other side of the debate, he had been hearing from those who "are saying the park doesn't offer enough protection at Montague Island and not enough beaches are protected."

"Some have also said there is not enough seagrass protection in Wagonga," Mr Westaway said.

"But a lot of people are in-between, many have specific concerns while others are generally happy with the balance."

Mr Westaway said the point of last night's meeting and others yet to come was to highlight the process of making comment using the more than 40,000 public submission brochures now available throughout the region.

He would also use the meetings to talk about the comments he had received already and to solicit and record specific comments from the audience members.

The first meeting was held in Batemans Bay last week with more than 100 people attending with further meetings scheduled up and down the coast for the rest of the month.

Also available to answer questions at Batemans Bay were Marine Park Authority planner Veronica Le Nevez and National Parks and Wildlife Service representative Tim Sheppard.

Mr Westaway in upcoming weeks will also meet with charter operators, management advisory committees from the various commercial fisheries, the shire council as well as organising meetings in other smaller communities.

A similar meeting to last night's public meeting will take place at Bermagui on August 18.

Also present at last night's meeting were Fisheries officer Mathew Richardson and Marine Park Authority planner Alex Simpson.

The public comment period continues through October 15.

[ACTAngler]

Nature tourists targeted
Thursday, 17 August 2006

A NEW campaign to highlight the natural beauty of the Far South Coast was launched on Friday at Narooma's Amaroon Court apartments.

The Far South Coast Nature Tourism Project consists of the printing of 30,000 brochures, 54 interprative signs at locations along the coast as well as an advertising campaign in publications such as Australian Geographic.

Special Minister of State and Member for Eden-Monaro Gary Nairn said his Eden-Monaro electorate was the fourth largest electorate in Australia in respect to tourism employment.

He said nearly 10 per cent of employment was based in tourism, which was "getting bigger and bigger."

"I am looking forward to seeing this information spread around the region and seeing many more people coming to what really is the most beautiful part of Australia," Mr Nairn said.

The $250,000 project involves the production of quality brochures covering topics such as the magnificent wildlife and flora of the region, outstanding bushwalking and significant cultural and heritage sites and experiences.

More than 50 interpretative signs have been produced and installed at key sites to assist tourists to understand and interpret their surroundings and enhance the enjoyment of their visit.

The project is a joint initiative of Eurobodalla Coast Tourism, Sapphire Coast Tourism and the Department of Environment and Conservation (formerly National Parks and Wildlife Service) Forests NSW, as well as other agencies.

The area covered extends from Murramarang National Park in the north to the Victorian border in the south and parts of the Bombala Council area.

[ACTAngler]

Have your say
Posted by Shane Jasprizza
Thursday, 17 August 2006

Re: Nature tourists targeted

$250,000 to promote the South Coast to nature tourists (Nature tourists targeted, 17 August)?  I thought a Marine Park was so good it would sell itself!

[ACTAngler]

Ports committee critical of marine park planning
Thursday, 17 August 2006

AFTER attending the Narooma meeting of the Batemans Marine Park zoning consultation on August 8, chairman Philip Creagh said it was imperative for all fishers and users of the water to have a say, even those who support the zonings as they stand.
Mr Creagh said for instance if you think the zoning is okay for Wagonga, as it is now - say so, and add you don't think the sanctuary zone should extend past the present limits.

He said he had a concern if no comments were received, the sanctuary zones could be expanded even further.

Mr Creagh was critical of the park manager's view that effect on tourism will be related to how much "moaning" locals do from this end.

"Unfortunately the MPA is generally populated with people who have never had a real job in retail business," he said.

"They never have and never will realise the fickleness of the retail customer, and yet they presume to lecture to those who do rely on retail customers."

Mr Creagh said he also wanted verify of Environment Minister Bob Debus has allowed Indigenous Fishers to fish anywhere in a marine park, using "traditional" means with a "no fee permit"

He said marine park authorities were taking notes of comments on draft zoning, but not on general dissatisfaction issues.

Additional concerns were that the commercial abalone only special purpose zone are in good, safe rock fishing areas and were not counted in the overall tally of 20 per cent sanctuary, no-take zones.

The Ports Committee was also concerned about the present proposed "No Bait" area to the North of Montague, which was suggested to have the current Fisheries restrictions retained as is, plus a ban fishing, one hour before sunset and one hour after sunrise, within 1000m. of the Grey Nurse Shark Critical Habitat zon. This closure to be seasonal/

The issue of residents who border the Batemans Marine Park, with a Sanctuary zone was raised again. Mr Creagh said park manager Cameron Westaway was sympathetic to this issue. It appears that they will possibly get "dispensation". This raised the considerable ire of the a couple of people in the room ... vigorous debate ensued. This was interesting compared to what happened at Batemans Bay meeting, he said.

[ACTAngler]

Park manager talks zoning
Thursday, 17 August 2006

BATEMANS Marine Park manager Cameron Westaway said points made at last Tuesday's meeting at the Narooma Golf Club would be taken into account.

The comments would be placed on the Marine Park Authority website and would be considered in the planning process with Mr Westaway again confirming the map would change to take into account suggestions and criticisms.

"The map will change but our primary objective is conservation of biodiversity and ecological processes," he said.

The authority was however also aware of its impact on users of the marine environment and would take them into account.

Areas of concern raised at the meeting included concern about the grey nurse protection zone north of Montague Island, particularly from charter boat operators.

A separate meeting for charter boat operators was also held last week with a grey nurse expert from the Fisheries Department coming to Narooma to explain the latest research.

Mr Westaway said he also picked up on dissatisfaction with the proposed special purpose zones at Mystery Bay and Bogola Head.

On other hand he had also heard from scuba divers who wanted additional sanctuary zones at popular diving spots.

Users of the Dalmeny boat ramp were meanwhile concerned about loss of fishing grounds in the Brou Beach area, which were close and easy to access in rough weather.

Commercial fishers were also concerned about loss of access to locations including Nangudga, Wallaga, Corunna and Tilba lakes, he said.

The next meeting is tomorrow evening at Bermagui, while the Moruya meeting is on August 30.

[ACTAngler]

Catch-22 for trawlers
Thursday, 17 August 2006

SOME boats are better than others and Charlie Lavalle's trawler Shoalhaven doesn't do so bad at supplying consumers with sought after species of fish.

But Batemans Marine Park managers want trawling inside most the newly proclaimed park banned and have set aside $8.5 million to buy-out fishers.

And while some other less successful fishers might be happy to take the buy-out, the crew of the Shoalhaven say they are making a good living and want to keep fishing.

The Bermagui-based trawler and one of the most profitable boats in the fleet is making as much as $500,000 a year trawling waters around Montague Island and that will now be off limits.

Mr Lavalle said the maximum pay-out of $350,000 is just not worth it and he really wants to keep fishing.

He will however be losing access to his best grounds and sometime the only area he can fish when the strong summer currents making fishing in the deep impossible.

"Let's save the grey nurse, but let five families go on the dole," he said.

"What kind of plan is that?"

Marine park managers have said the hope a fishing fleet does remain and the point of the buy-out is to remove those most impacted, leaving the remaining waters and the fishery resource to those left.

Those in the fishing industry are expecting most of the 11 trawlers operating between Ulladulla and Bermagui to pack-up.

But Mr Lavalle said he had to weigh up whether it was feasible to stay fishing.

"I accept a need for a marine park, but when it take people's livelihoods away, that's just too much."

Bermagui as a fishing port was in a major decline with the majority of Commonwealth licensed fishers signing up for the Federal Government's buy-out program that just happens to running at the same time as the State marine park.

This buy-out will take out vessels that go out further than three nautical miles to long-line for tuna and marlin or trawl for deep-sea fish.

Commercial fishers have responded overwhelmingly to an opportunity to surrender their Commonwealth fishing licences under the Australian Government's $220 million Securing our Fishing Future package with more than 500 tender applications received.

[Tarki]

                                                                                  POLITICS  and  TOURISM.
Special Minister of State, Gary Nairn, needs to understand that receational fishing families, avoid coasal resorts with government marine parks, like the plague! They readily take their tourist dollars elsewhere. And that has certainly been the experiences associated with the Cape Byron Political Park.   Tarki.

[ACTAngler]

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? POLITICS? and? TOURISM.
Special Minister of State, Gary Nairn, needs to understand that receational fishing families, avoid coasal resorts with government marine parks, like the plague! They readily take their tourist dollars elsewhere. And that has certainly been the experiences associated with the Cape Byron Political Park.? ?Tarki.

Hey Tarki,

That sounds like a great "letter to the editor" at the Narooma News.? Here is a link to the "Have Your Say" page.? What are you waiting for?? I see Rowan Phelps and Bob Smith have got a run recently.  Shane Jasprizza has been busy too 

http://narooma.yourguide.com.au/addopinion.asp?class=your say

[ACTAngler]

More than just fish
Wednesday, 16 August 2006

The State's peak environment group last week reminded people that marine parks are not just about fis.

"Over 80 per cent of the marine plants and animals in south-eastern Australia are unique to our part of the world," Megan Kessler, Marine Networker at the Nature Conservation Council of NSW said today.

"There is a huge variety of marine wildlife from nudibranchs to gorgonian fans, abalone to sea squirts.  Each of these species plays an important role in the marine environment and forms an important part of the marine food web.

"The proposed zoning for the Batemans Marine Park does not go far enough to protect this little known or understood marine wildlife and ensure a sustainable marine environmst be appropriately protected in marine sanctuaries - the building blocks of responsible management for our oceans.  The proposed zoning fails to meet these conservation objectives," Ms Kessler said.

[ACTAngler]

The above story was in the printed version of the Narooma News, but not on the website.  The last paragraph appears to be missing a few words, but it is the same unfounded bullshit we've come to expect from Ms Kessler and her anti-fishing cohorts.

Please, please, please respond with a letter to the editor.  The link is above.  Here is a suggestion:

Megan Kessler (More than just fish, 16 August 2006) will be dismayed to learn that Abalone will not be protected at all in the Batemans Marine Park, due to not enough money being available to adequately compensate the commercial abalone divers in the area.  Maybe Ms Kessler's organisation should be taking less taxpayer funding to support their extreme anti-fishing agenda.  It could be put towards real conservation instead of emotive, bleeding-heart media releases...

[ACTAngler]

Have your say
Posted by Dr Dave Liddy
Friday, 18 August 2006

Megan Kessler (More than just fish, 16 August 2006) claims that the proposed zoning for the Bateman's Bay Marine Park is inadequate to protect the habitat. Yet 20% is designated sanctuary zone and a further 47% as habitat protection zone. Two thirds of the proposed park is reserved for habitat protection. What does Ms Kessler really want?