TO our many holiday visitors, a warm welcome to the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park (PS-GLMP).
In place since 2007 the park has been designed to protect sensitive habitat and reduce pressure on all creatures inside the boundaries.
Shrouded by skepticism in the early years of its existence, the park and the restrictions imposed have been accepted by the majority – visitors and locals alike.
I’m pleased to announce that moves are back on the table to review the effectiveness of the park with the ultimate aim to reach better outcomes.
I have personally been involved since the earliest days and support the revisiting of the park as I believe we can do better.
The main concern as expressed by a forum of recreational and commercial fishers is confusion relating to boundaries which are not clearly recognisable.
This will be addressed in the review along with any science that has been gathered over the years.
It is important for our visitors to be aware that they are entering the largest of the six Marine Parks in NSW and that rules do apply which may not be the case in other regions along the coast.
For the visiting recreational fisher the options are numerous and the fishing has remained excellent.
Here are some regional hot spots:
Snapper and Kingfish – Boat Harbour, Fingal Island and Broughton Island;
Whiting, salmon, tailor and bream – Stockton and Fingal Beaches;
Flathead – Tilligerry Creek and Karuah River;
Luderick – Nelson Bay Breakwall.
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
