PJ, I do not have a 'mantra' of large green zones. Quite the opposite actually.

http://www.ozpolitic.com/fish/marine-parks-fisheries-management-tool.html#fisher...

Recfisher, that is closer to the mark, though I am surprised to see you opposed to a reduction in sanctuary zones. The whole risk assessment thing kind of misses the point with how marine parks are justified, though it does point to a representative areas program. Your distinction between a real and a percieved or potential threat is meaningless.

I was more after practical suggestions for changes to the Jervis Bay MP, so I wouldn't include trying to come up with a process from scratch and telling them how to do their job as a practical suggestion.

I think it is important to consider convenience to fishermen in addition to the science, especially where the science does not give the sort of detailed advice that is needed here.

No, it is science based. It is the anti marine park lobbyists who are faith based ideologues, trying to distort the science to fit their agenda.

There are very good reasons for limiting the use of minimum sizes as a fisheries management tool. They are a really dumb idea that the fishing community has become accustomed to and even incorporated into some kind of moral code. For the less mobile species, there will be less need for them once there is a network of marine parks.

Of course I've heard of slot limits. Half of a slot limit is a minimum size, which is a dumb idea.

And what about the fact that juvenile classes actually benifit from larger fish being caught through less predation and less competion for food?

Well that's great if you want to breed lots of slow growing 'juveniles' that produce lots more slow growing fish.

For less mobile species such as groper if you just rely on marine parks you may well end up with healthly populations in the NTZ's and depleted ones elsewhere.

Yes, that is the intention. For the most heavily targetted species, we would go from depleted populations everywhere to having a lot of healthy populations. For species like groper that are overprotected, we will be able to catch more of them and relax the rules without putting them at risk of overharvest.

Surely you'r not in favour of using inferior tools and resorting to overprotection of many species to compensate?

http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1192441509/105#112

http://www.mpa.nsw.gov.au/simp-zoning-plan-review.html

Solitary Islands Marine Park – Zoning Plan Review
Next stage

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Frank Sartor and Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan today, 19 April 2010, announced the next stage of the Solitary Islands Marine Park Zoning Plan review.

“The Government plans to improve the management of existing marine parks rather than establish new ones,” Mr Sartor said.

Based on the review process, adjustments to the park’s zoning plan have been drafted, which will now be referred to the Solitary Islands Marine Park Advisory Committee, and then go on public exhibition for three months before any final decisions are made.

Public exhibition of the proposed zoning changes will commence during May 2010. Notice of the exhibition period will be given in local and statewide newspapers and the information package will be uploaded to this website.

To be directly notified of the release of the information package please send an email to solitary.islands@mpa.nsw.gov.au including ‘distribution list’ in the subject line.

Media Release – NSW Government Takes Community Advice on Solitary Islands Marine Park.
Background – The Review process

The current zoning plan for Solitary Islands Marine Park commenced in 2002 and has been reviewed in accordance with the Marine Parks Act 1997.

The review process determined whether the plan remained appropriate for meeting the objects of the Marine Parks Act which are to conserve biodiversity, and provide opportunities for ecologically sustainable use, public appreciation, enjoyment and understanding.

The following information package was produced to the support the review process.

....

Submissions

Thank you for your submissions and involvement in the review process.
Information days held during consultation

Venue

Park Beach Plaza, outside Woolworths, Park Beach Road, Coffs Harbour

Park Beach Plaza, outside Woolworths, Park Beach Road, Coffs Harbour

Park Beach Plaza, outside Woolworths, Park Beach Road, Coffs Harbour

Wooli Community Hall, Main Street, Wooli

Yamba Shopping Fair, Treelands Drive, Yamba

Grafton Shopping World, Fitzroy Street, Grafton

Emerald Beach Fair, Emerald Beach Reserve, Emerald beach

The review report and a summary of consultation and submissions were provided to the Solitary Islands Marine Park Advisory Committee for comment. The review report, summary of consultation and submissions, and comments from the advisory committee, were provided by the Marine Parks Authority to the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment and the Minister for Primary Industries for consideration.
Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters) Review

The Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is reviewing the management plan for the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve which is adjacent to the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Further information.
Further information

If you require further information please contact the Environment Line on 1300 361 967

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From an email:

Greater protection for Solitary Islands marine life
Dear ,

With the vital support of people like you and after many years of hard work from the Nature Conservation Council, we're finally on the verge of stronger protection for the magnificent creatures that call the Solitary Islands Marine Park home. Thank you for making this possible.

NSW Environment Minister Frank Sartor recently released recommendations for Solitary Islands Marine Park that included increasing the sanctuary zones in the park from 12 per cent up to 20 per cent.

Expanded no-take areas would give sea turtles like our little friend above, threatened grey nurses and the more than 550 species of marine creatures found in the marine park a better chance of survival. Sanctuary zones are wonderful havens where they can potentially rest and reproduce in safety.

The expanded sanctuary zones at Solitary Islands would be a welcome step in the right direction from the NSW government and one we expect will be made official following a three-month public consultation.

However, the Nature Conservation Council recognises there's still work to be done ...

We need to achieve even greater conservation of marine life through the expansion of sanctuary zones at Jervis Bay, the creation of a Sydney Marine Park and the introduction of further marine parks off our coast.

We're also eagerly awaiting the release of the export accreditation for the NSW Ocean Trap and Line Fishery in the next couple of weeks. We're concerned conditions may allow shark fishing above historical catch levels, something that could be disasterous for threatened species of sharks off our coast.

Check out www.nccnsw.org.au or @ourlastsharks for the latest developments.

Thanks again for making a difference on marine parks and your ongoing support of our marine campaigns.

Ben Birt


Ben Birt
Marine Campaigner


Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Ph. 02 9516 1488  ncc@nccnsw.org.au