Being one of the friendliest of fish, the iconic NSW marine emblem, the Eastern Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) is a key shallow reef inhabitant along the Great Southern Reef.
Only now is their role in controlling urchin populations and reducing the spread of barrens being fully understood.
Long Spined Purple Sea Urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) barrens are invading NSW, Victoria and Tasmania - affecting millions of stakeholders... With the help of effective sanctuary zones, the Blue Groper can help reverse this ecological imbalance of urchins through gaining complete no-take protection.
Show your support by signing this petition to help us protect this iconic species!
The Blue Groper is slow-growing and long-lived. They live like lions, with a dominant male and many females in his protection. When a male is taken through predation or fishing, it takes a very long time for the next female to change gender and fill his position.
Its vulnerability to overfishing was recognised in 1969 with full protection. This was quickly loosened. The allowable "two by line per person per day" was estimated 15 years ago by NSW Fisheries be a harvest of 20-50 tonnes per year– equating to thousands of Blue Gropers!
This dominant natural predator needs to grow large, old and flourish in numbers to make an effect on urchin populations. It is fully protected in the waters of Victoria and Tasmania, with a permanent closure against fishing for the Western Blue Groper in much of the waters in South Australia.
By restoring neglected sanctuary zones and upgrading all aquatic reserves to full protection we further enhance the chance of the Blue Groper tackling its niche role in the ecosystem!
New South Wales must act urgently to fully protect the Eastern Blue Groper, and restore & upgrade sanctuary zones so that we can ensure the long-term sustainability of shallow reefs in the Great Southern Reef!
The undersigned petitioners therefore ask the Legislative Assembly to give full protection to the Eastern Blue Groper, Achoerodus viridis, by removing all line fishing catch allowance.
A GENEROUS DONATION
We have received a generous donation from the author of Islands of the South Coast, Helen Moody, to assist with this campaign! Check out her incredible book below and see order details!
SOLD OUT AND MUCH LOVED BOOK SOUTH COAST ISLANDS IS AVAILABLE AGAIN FOR IT’S SECOND PRINT RUN …
Many of our NCMG members have a copy and highly recommend purchasing one! It has great aerial shots and so much information to inform future snorkelling, kayaking and adventures!
