Leigh gave a presentation which explained what NSW Marine Parks (MPs) are, why they are declared and how they operate through zoning plans and regulations.

The primary aims of MPs are the conservation of biological diversity, the maintenance of ecological processes, and ecologically sustainable use where this is consistent with the first two aims.

Jervis Bay MP has 5 staff (including a scientist, Dr Tim Lynch, and 2 compliance officers) and 2 boats. They:

• develop and implement research and monitoring programs;
• undertake environmental impact assessment of DAs within the park and comment on others in the catchment that may affect the park;
• foster linkages with key stakeholder groups such as fishing clubs
• develop and implement routine education and information programs
• develop information guides, brochures, etc - these can be produced in different languages if required
• develop and implement mooring and anchoring strategies (public moorings are provided at critical sites in or near sanctuary zones)
• develop and implement sign and zone marker strategies
• carry out routine patrol and surveillance with Maritime and Fisheries
• have a permit system eg for commercial tours, charter fishing boats & fishing competitions, research projects
• have co-operative arrangements with the Dept of Defence and Maritime, etc
• develop strategies for response to marine incidents eg oil spills
• evaluate impacts and develop best practice guidelines for activities eg moorings, spear fishing and fishing competitions
• research and conduct risk assessment of invasive marine species.

The research and monitoring program is led by a research committee of scientists from the MP, Fisheries, the Dept of Environment and Conservation and various universities). Current and future projects include:

• performance assessment of MP zonings for shallow sub-tidal reefs to see if the sanctuaries are having effect. Early indications are that morwong and bream are more plentiful and bigger.
• recreational fish catch and effort in multiple use marine parks
• the effect of sanctuaries on estuarine inter-tidal soft sediment life
• pelagic fish in coastal marine parks (eg kingfish and tuna)
• benthic (bottom dwelling) fish on deep patch reefs
• recreational SCUBA diving in Jervis Bay MP
• catchments and estuarine processes in Jervis Bay MP (eg the impact of development on saltmarshes)
• the effects of human generated noise on dolphins (eg PWCs and motor boats)
• monitoring of sea eagle, dolphin and seal populations
• sedimentation and invasive algae (Caulerpa taxifolia is near the park but has not been found within the boundary yet)
• the recreational economics of marine parks (surveys will be targeted at small business)

Responses to questions

Regarding the economic impacts - Leigh said there has been a growth in nature based tourism such as kayaking and diving while fishing has remained the same. He has been talking to many people in the community and is not aware of any negative impacts on existing small businesses. A visitor survey similar to the one done for Solitary Islands MP at Coffs Harbour will be done at Jervis Bay - no negative impacts were detected at Solitary Islands.

Opposition to the park - There was similar early opposition to the marine park proposal in Jervis Bay. The planning period was too long - nearly 3 years - prolonging apprehension and uncertainty in the community. Now it is broadly accepted although some have been critical of signage, and supporters of particular developments are unhappy if their proposals are opposed.

The Marine Park Authority can refuse unsuitable development proposals if they are within the park boundary and has an advisory role on proposals in the adjacent catchment that may affect the park.

PWCs are allowed with regulations. MP staff are co-operating with Maritime to ensure compliance.

There is a 24 hour access line for complaints regarding illegal activities (park staff have been responding in their own time after hours). There were no prosecutions in the first 12 months, it was an education period. Now fines are $500 per person for recreational line fishing in a sanctuary zone but the costs can be higher if the matter goes to court. However, each case is considered on its merits - eg are they first time visitors, are they just over the zone boundary.

There is information to show recruitment of fish in sanctuary zones but no data for the whole of multiple use parks. However, "spillover" research is still underway and it is too early to rename the sanctuary zones recruitment zones.

Zoning is reviewed after 5 years. The park or parts of it can be closed to fishing in an emergency eg an oil spill

Placing intertidal areas in habitat zones prevents the excessive removal of species by limiting the species that can be taken. Fisheries size and quantity limits still apply in zones where fishing is allowed. Compliance has been good in Jervis Bay.

Batemans MP has many estuaries which are not well represented in Jervis Bay. There will be plenty of opportunity for consultation now and in the future regarding what areas should be made sanctuaries or habitat protection zones.

Professional fishing effort will be reduced. $8.5 million is available to buy back licences from fishers displaced by the zoning plan. Fisheries decided the amount based on catch records. A similar deal in Jervis Bay bought out some professional fishers and made special arrangements for others eg local beach-haulers can fish certain locations until they retire. The MPA is trying to ensure that Batemans fishing effort is not transferred to other locations.

The staff work with other groups such as diving and fishing clubs but as yet there is no separate support group for the park.