Proposed by South East Marine Protection Group          SEMPG OCT. `05

Weedy Seadragon, MerimbulaPort Jackson shark sleeping in protection of crevice, Merimbula

DIRE PLIGHT OF THE OCEANS

The oceans are the last frontier of legal and illegal exploitation for food for an exploding world population. Large scale operations using electronic detection can now eliminate whole populations. Amateur and professional activity has stripped life from sea shores near population centres all over the world.

Ocean environs urgently need protecting. Bag limits are a token effort to control our rapidly decreasing fish numbers, of species not previously targeted. NSW Fisheries are now proposing a bag limit of zero on Wobbegongs as they are "thought to be vulnerable". We just do not know enough about these and other fish to determine limits for the present, let alone for the future.

LACK OF MARINE PROTECTION IN SOUTH­EAST AUSTRALIA

There are many thousands of hectares of national park in the South-eastern region of Australia where our animals are fully protected. All of this is on land. There are no areas of aquatic reserve or marine park from Ulladulla to the southern border of NSW.

SOUTH EAST MARINE PROTECTION GROUP AIMS TO

• Protect our important marine environments for the future.
• Provide safe areas for recreational uses such as snorkelling and diving.
• Encourage educational and research activities.

THREE POSSIBLE KINDS OF MARINE PROTECTION

1. "No Spearfishing" zones.

2. Aquatic reserves, under NSW Fisheries, with nominated restrictions.

3. Marine parks, under NSW National Parks, with usually higher levels of restrictions.

RECOMMENDATIONS

SEMPG recommends protecting the following as Aquatic Reserves:

TATHRA - from Tathra Beach, South to Kianinny Bay, including Tathra Head.

MERIMBULA - from Bar Beach, North to Short Point, including Long Point and Short Point "Bommie".

Tathra and Merimbula Wharves to remain as recreational fishing areas

RESTRICTIONS
To apply from Mean High Water mark seawards for 200m.

• No spear fishing.
• No collecting of marine invertebrates, except by permit holders (eg: research etc).
• No fishing for sharks or rays.
• No commercial fishing or collecting.
• No line fishing in designated snorkelling areas. Line fishing is not otherwise affected.

PUBLIC SUPPORT VITAL

Your support is vital if this proposal is to succeed. Please contact SEMPG so that we can coordinate efforts and work towards the declaration of these two Aquatic Reserves.

 E-mail:   Phone: Richard Jermyn on 6495 7354

Blue Groper Wrasse, Mado and White Ear Parma, at Merimbula.

RANGE OF SPECIES AND PROTECTIVE HABITATS

These two areas provide a substantial underwater rocky reef habitat down to about 18m depth which leads on to a sandy floor. The rocks are boulder formations which provide crevices and cave structures, habitat for a diverse marine life e.g. Wobbegong sharks, Port Jackson sharks, Draughtboard sharks, Rusty Cat sharks, Numbrays, Giant cuttlefish, Lobsters, Pistol shrimps, Leatherjackets, Morwong, Old wives, Sponges, Crabs, Moray eels, Blue Groper Wrasse, Abalone, Bullseyes, Coral, Octopus, Ascidians and Nudibranchs.

Nearby sand beds also provide homes for the animals which use the food source provided by the rocky reef, including Angel Sharks, Eagle Rays, Common Stingaree, Black Stingray, Sea Pens and the Weedy Seadragon.

Because of their richness, biodiversity and proximity to towns, these areas have attracted a large number of spear fishers and collectors. The size and number of Morwongs and Wobbegong sharks, for example, has decreased dramatically, according to two local spear fishers with 30 years experience. The Wobbegongs are now virtually absent while 15 years ago they were common. Other species are in a similar decline. Many resident reef dwelling fish are highly susceptible to spearing, because they sleep during the day.

Port Jackson shark sleeping in protection of crevice, Merimbula

EXISTING AND NEW USERS

These areas will be able to be used by local schools and community groups for education and tourism, with emphasis on shore viewing. There are many opportunities for developing educational resources, eg. marine interpretation cards, featuring these reefs.

There are now well over 5000 divers and snorkellers annually using the Merimbula wharf and Short Point "Bommie". They are looking at marine life only and are not hunting. They regularly come from all over Australia, including Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. The Tathra area also attracts large numbers of divers and snorkellers.

With the declaration of these Reserves including the areas set aside for snorkelling, they will become more widely known and more significant as tourism attractions, as species stocks recover.

Sponges and Ascidians, Tathra

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