Letter to Macdonald, re GNS and NCC zoning plans.

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Here is a transcript of the letter from Port Stephens Ecofishers presented to Minister Ian Macdonald by Ken Thurlow.

As the representative organization of the Port Stephens and districts, recreational fishing families, we are appalled, disgusted and angry, at the further proposed fishing closures, for the remainder of Little Broughton Island. Already the government imposed marine parks so called sanctuary zones are excessive, unnecessary and not supported by local recreational fishing families. Now the government funded extreme green Nature Conservation Council, is demanding the north-west and western Habitat Protection Zones, be included in the 1.5 km sanctuary zone.
This proposal is outrageous. The NCC ?think? it may be a grey nurse pupping site. How would they know? We ?think? it isn?t as there is no scientific evidence to support their emotional claims.
However, the science does illustrate (acoustic listening stations on site) the sharks stay within 50 m of the actual island! So this makes the current 1.5 km so called sanctuary zone, a ludicrous innovation, for these nocturnal predators.
The government?s marine park has already alienated the local community, with its social, recreational and economic consequences.
Hence, the loss of the Labor seat of Port Stephens, last March.
We are utterly opposed to and will not support any further impositions or extensions to the so called sanctuary zones, at Little Broughton Is.

Port Stephens ECOfishers

[CEO]

                                          AND that blunt message was delivered and received, loud and clear!  CEO.