Mr Jack Tait
President
Coastal Rights Association
PO Box 572
Batemans Bay NSW 2536.
Dear Jack and members,
Re: Proposed Grey Nurse shark extended closures, Tollgate Islands.On behalf of the recreational fishers of NSW, we thank you for your submission (4/11/07) concerning the NCC?s demands, to increase to 1.5km, the current fishing closures at the 870m western and 960m northern areas, of the Tollgate Islands.
Thank you for your timely submission. ECOfishers has already made a number of representations to Fisheries Minister Macdonald about these issues and a meeting is planned in the very near future.
Jack, while we are confident we can make a robust scientific case NOT to implement these additional closures, the NSW government may have other issues to consider as determining factors, such as preference deals, for example.
It would also be another huge betrayal of community trust and credibility, if the NSW Dept of Environment, was to rezone the Tollgate Islands so called sanctuary zone, outside the five yearly rezoning review, due in 2012, to accommodate the NCC?s outrageous demands. And especially so, when the MPA has refused to correct other glaring and obvious anomalies, in Zoning Plans, outside the mandatory five yearly review.
Thank you for your contribution. It is greatly appreciated. You are assured it will be given vigorous promotion and support at our meeting with the minister.
PS. Avail yourselves of the information and data on the NSW recreational fishers website at,
www.ecofishers.com Please feel free to contribute to our website, in any way you consider appropriate.
Regards and best wishes,
Ken Thurlow
CEO ECOfishers NSW
