Fishing Restrictions Scrapped in Marine Plan

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The NSW Greens have slammed a state government move to backflip on fishing restrictions for 25 sites from Newcastle to Wollongong.

Access to commercial or leisure fishing was set to be reduced under the Marine Park proposal, but following backlash from anglers, including many in the Swansea area, Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair has called it off.

"What is now clear is that the proposed management methods and in some cases the sizes of the sites, offered up a narrow option that unfairly impacted on low-risk activities such as fishing and spearfishing," Mr Blair said.

"As a result, the NSW Government has taken lockouts off the table," he continued.

"We are confident there are many other ways to manage these sensitive areas, that have fishers as part of the solution and we will continue to explore these options for the rest of the consultation period.

"Today's decision does not change the fact we are still working towards a marine park that protects key marine habitats, species and the environment we all know and love," Mr Blair said.

However, Greens MP Justin Field says the government is bowing to corporate fat cats.

"They are not going to have fully protected marine sanctuaries as part of their Sydney marine park proposal," he explained, "basically, the government's position is an anti-environment, anti-science position. They have pandered to vested interests against the broader community interests and I think it's a real disgrace."

Justin Field says he's been the subject of online abuse, including threats of physical violence, by those opposed to the plan, and is calling for a reasoned debate on the issue.

Image: Illawarra Mercury.