The AMCS's Next Target

[Chris Ryan]

It seems the AMCS has now done with shutting down Moreton Bay and are onto their next conquest. For those of you in NSW or those who frequent this area for holidays and a recreational fish, this concerns you.

Chris

From AMCS:-

Help Save the Solitaries

The Solitary Islands Marine Park (SIMP) and Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (SIMR) contain some of New South Wales' most outstanding marine wildlife. Stretching for 75kms northwards along the coast from Coffs Harbour, the marine parks contain a myriad of stunning marine wildlife including manta rays, sea turtles, migratory whales, over 550 species of fish and a wide variety of hard and soft corals.


Despite providing shelter to many threatened and endangered species such as (critically endangered) grey nurse sharks, humpback whales and black cod, only a tiny proportion of the marine park and marine reserve is currently protected.


Only 1% of the SIMR and 12% of the SIMP are zoned as 'no-take' sanctuary zones (or marine national parks), where all wildlife is protected from harm.


Meanwhile, human pressure increases in and around the park. Right now, we have an opportunity to increase protection for both the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve and the Solitary Islands Marine Park, because they are currently up for review.

[Lucky_Phill]

As a matter of fact I had conversations with people from down that way some time ago. They said all was good as they already had protection.

I am not one to say I told you so.............
phill

[nigelr]

I think there is a review of the SIMP underway at present, or has just finished.
Pushing their agenda hard is and will always be on the cards, that's the nature of the savvy game these folk (AMCS) run. We are fortunate in that our local (Coffs Harbour) MP has to date listened long and hard to the voice of the majority of his constituents, who are against the lock-out mentality of the extreme greens.
Being a sitting National Party Member in a Labor Gov't may or may not have it's advantages, but the Hon. Andrew Fraser MP has stood up firmly for common sense to prevail on this issue.
Rec fishing is a major $$$$$$$ earner within the region, and the Commercial sector is also involved.
To his great credit Fraser has and hopefully will continue to protect the somewhat fragile local economy which would suffer from the sort of lock out these people desire, not to mention the access rights of the majority of locals and tourists who are responsible fishers.
Over the last 30 years the demographics of this region have changed, each election the Labor and Green candidates eat away at the traditional National Party incumbents' majority. It is likely if not inevitable that one day the balance will swing and we will have a sitting Labor representative for Coffs Harbour.
I only hope when that occurs, the NSW Libs have got their act together and are in power in NSW.
Otherwise, I fear the extreme Greens could well be calling the tune!
Mind you I believe it's not the locals or the majority of tourists who support the AMCS, more the latte sippers of inner Sydney and other metro centres, who have no idea of rural life or rural issues, but who in their ignorance and arrogance believe they need to 'save the planet' from the rest of us, who have no right to a contrary opinion at all.
Most people in their right minds understand the need for a conservative approach towards respecting, understanding, valuing and if neccesary protecting all types of environments these days. It's really not much more than good common sense. However the vocal extreme minority is always like that sqeaky wheel which gets the most oil................
This thought makes me a little upset, I might go and cook some fish or something.......................
Cheers.