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New Zoning Plan Finalised for Jervis Bay.


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New zoning plan finalised for Jervis Bay Marine Park

The Marine Parks Authority (MPA) today announced a new and improved zoning plan for Jervis Bay Marine Park has been finalised and will begin on 1 March.

Under the new zoning plan for Jervis Bay Marine Park, ocean based sanctuary zones will be adjusted to better protect intermediate reef habitats. Commercial trawling will no longer occur at Wreck Bay or Crookhaven Bight and lift netting activities will be prohibited in Jervis Bay..

About 80 per cent of the marine park, including key sites such as Middle Ground, Longnose Point, Crocodile Head and Moes Rock, will remain available for recreational fishing.

New zoning plans have also been finalised for Solitary Islands Marine Park, on the State's North Coast and Lord Howe Island Marine Park.

Director General of the Department of Environment Climate Change and Water and MPA member, Lisa Corbyn, said the new zoning plans were developed in response to new research findings, the outcomes of the zoning plan review in 2009 and detailed community consultation on the draft zoning plan in 2010.

"Zoning reviews are required under the Marine Parks Act, initially after five years and then at ten year intervals," Ms Corbyn said.

"They provide an opportunity to consider new information, including feedback on how the marine park is operating, so we can make sure conservation and sustainable use objectives for each park are being met."

"The changes relate to the zones and activities within the marine park only – there are no changes to the park boundaries."

Ms Corbyn said community consultation on the draft zoning plan for Jervis Bay Marine Park had been extensive, with 35 stakeholder meetings and community information days held. A total of 3,064 submissions were received during the three month consultation period.

"We've listened to marine park users and made changes to the draft zoning plan in response to submissions, Advisory Committee advice, local experience and the best available science.

"The total area of sanctuary zones in the marine park will remain largely unchanged, However the Point Perpendicular–Crocodile Head sanctuary zone will be relocated to increase representation of intermediate reef habitats in sanctuary zones from 8 to 14 per cent of their total known area.

"These reefs are in water 20 to 60 metres deep and are often dominated by sponges and other invertebrates and support a wide range of fish species.

"In response to submissions received from the community and fishing groups, the Brooks Rock–Moes Rock Sanctuary Zone proposed in the draft zoning plan will not proceed, instead the new Beecroft Peninsula sanctuary zone will replace two other sanctuary zones.

"Also in response to community consultation, NSW Maritime will address several boating issues that were canvassed in the draft zoning plan."

Ms Corbyn said research and monitoring conducted in Jervis Bay Marine Park, particularly since 2004, had underpinned the zoning changes. The detail now available on biodiversity, habitats and use of the park has increased markedly since the original zoning plan was developed prior to commencing in 2002.

The research and monitoring program for marine parks will continue to inform the management of marine parks and details are available at <a href="http://www.mpa.nsw.gov.au/" target="_blank">www.mpa.nsw.gov.au.

The Environmental Trust will provide funding of up to $400,000 to Industry & Investment NSW to administer a voluntary commercial fishing buy out to avoid commercial fishing pressure increasing elsewhere.

Detailed information on the new zoning plans are on the marine parks website at www.mpa.nsw.gov.au.

Marine parks staff are organising community information sessions at key locations in coming weeks to talk to the community about the changes. Details of these sessions will be posted on the marine parks website.

New user guides for each zoning plan will be available before March 1 and park signs will be updated. Marine parks staff will continue to be out in the marine parks in coming months letting people know about the changes.

Key changes to the Jervis Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan:

  • All trawling and lift netting will be removed from the marine park to reduce the impacts of commercial fishing on biodiversity – 98 percent of submissions supported this proposal.

  • The Point Perpendicular–Crocodile Head sanctuary zone will be replaced by a sanctuary zone off the Beecroft Peninsula – extending from Crocodile Head to Drum and Drum Sticks. This change improves the protection of intermediate reef habitats.

  • Improved boating access to beaches in Hare Bay with a new anchoring area provided between Red Point and Hare Point.

  • Spearfishing will be prohibited at Honeymoon Bay to address public safety concerns.

  • Arrangements improved for the protection of species by simplifying restrictions and improving consistency with fisheries management rules (e.g. size and bag limits). Additional protection will be provided for some species, including Port Jackson Sharks, crested horn sharks and all skates and rays in the marine park.

  • The zoning plan will be simplified by straightening zone boundaries at Wreck Bay and Drum and Drum Sticks, which will make it easier for users to identify and comply with zones.

  • Marine parks staff will also work with NSW Maritime to introduce new boating regulations in the park, including motorised boating restrictions in Honeymoon Bay, speed restrictions at Carama Creek, restrictions on irregular driving of personal watercraft within 200 metres of shore in Jervis Bay and a prohibition on motorised boats in Moona Moona Creek to protect seagrass beds.

Jervis Bay Marine Park Key Facts

  • NSW marine parks are part of a national and global effort to conserve marine biodiversity

  • Jervis Bay Marine Park was established in 1998 and covers over 21,000 hectares of water.

  • The Marine Park is home to a unique mix of species, including the weedy sea dragon, eastern blue devil fish, whales, dolphins, Little Penguin, fur seals and the endangered grey nurse shark.

  • It is one of six multiple use marine parks in NSW – Cape Byron, Solitary Islands (Coffs Harbour), Port Stephens Great Lakes, Jervis Bay, Batemans and Lord Howe Island.

  • These parks cover more than 345,000 hectares – one third of NSW waters.

  • Like all marine parks it is divided into four zones governing what can be done in each area, with Sanctuary Zones providing the highest conservation protection.

  • Recreational fishing can occur in every NSW marine park – with between 72.5% and 82.5% of parks remaining accessible to recreational fishing following implementation of the new zoning plans.

  • The zoning plan for Jervis Bay Marine Park began in October 2002.

  • The first statutory review of the Jervis Bay and Solitary Islands Marine Parks plan began in March 2008. Draft zoning plans were placed on public exhibition in between June and September 2010.

  • Community surveys show strong support for JBMP, with 82 per cent of people in favour of sanctuary zones.

  • The next statutory review of the Jervis Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan will begin in June 2018.

Below is original copy if you want it.

New zoning plan finalised for Jervis Bay Marine Park .pdf

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