Time to HAVE YOUR SAY towards the Draft Management Plan for Marine Parks (2021-2031). 

No wonder this Eastern Blue Devil Fish is unhappy :(

The Government’s proposed Marine Park Management Plan will not protect marine parks.


The Government prioritises the economic values of marine parks, rather than the primary purpose of conserving biodiversity:

  • The Plan envisages the return of trawling in the Batemans Marine Park.

  • The Plan partners with 120 stakeholders who exploit ocean resources, but fewer than 15 partnerships with conservation groups, marine educators, academic institutions, or marine science professional bodies.

We want the Draft Plan to prioritise actions that aim to protect and conserve biodiversity in marine parks.

The central role of sanctuary zones operating as no-take zones, is not developed:

  • The Government’s own Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel notes, ‘MPAs, and in particular no-take Sanctuary Zones, address the cumulative impacts of fishing by re-establishing key aspects of ecosystem functioning.’

  • The peak body on marine sciences in Australia (AMSA) recommends marine parks ‘with at least 30% sanctuary (no-take) zone are the most effective and therefore the preferred design option’. This is almost double the current area of NSW sanctuary zones.

We want the Draft Plan to expand sanctuary zones in marine parks, and these areas must be no-take zones.


What can you do to be heard?

Download the NCMG one-page submission, sign and post to the address on top of the submission (the Government is not accepting e-mailed submissions).

OR

Log in to & fill out the Government’s on-line survey.

  • You have the opportunity to attach the NCMG one-page submission (above) to your on-line response, and/or;

  • Use our recommended answers for the on-line survey


The consultation period is open until the 31st of January 2022 - don’t wait!

Help protect our marine parks. 
Their future is in your hands.

Additional resources: