Mid North Coast Tourism supports shark protection

The Australian organisation Mid North Coast Tourism is currently pressuring the government for greater grey nurse shark protection off South West Rocks and the Coffs Coast. This organisation is supporting environmentalists and scuba diving practitioners in their struggle to re-establish protective measures for shark colonies.

South West Rocks is located in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The beautiful scenery and the numerous beaches in the area, bursting with amazing underwater vegetation and animals, make it one of the best sites for scuba diving in Australia.

Mid North Coast Tourism states that its biggest concern is the safety of the endangered species at Fish Rock Cave, Green Island and around the Solitary Islands as the State Government completes its review into grey nurse shark management. In April, the O´Farrell Government revoked protective measures that had been established by the previous Labour Government, and were fully endorsed by conservation groups.

Katrina Hodgkinson, the Primary Industries Minister said that the purpose of the re-examination was to analyse the scientific, social and commercial repercussions of fishing restrictions banning bait, live bait and jig fishing in shark-inhabited areas. Public submissions were appointed in late May and are scheduled to finish on 26th August.

Nevertheless, environmentalists and local divers are worried and unsatisfied by the long span of time this review is taking, alleging that the lack of protection in the meantime can seriously hurt grey nurse sharks. What’s more, tourism chiefs are also protesting, not only for the damage to this shark species, but for the blow it deals to the scuba diving industry.

“We are not only concerned for the welfare of this endangered species, but also the impact on our successful dive industry centred on Fish Rock Cave, which is recognised as one of the best dive sites in the world,” said Belinda Novicky, Mid North Coast Tourism executive director.

Fish Rock Cave and Green Island are vital habitat areas for the grey nurse sharks. Fish Rock Cave, located in South West Rocks, is Australia’s best ocean cave dive spot and has been recognised as one of the top ten dive sites in Australia. This dive location owes its name to the amazing submarine wildlife variety of its waters. Fish Rock is the ideal spot for travellers looking to find the perfect scuba diving holidays in Australia.

John Jeayes, environmental activist of the North Coast Environment Council expressed his concern with the present situation. “Initially, the review that was intended to take three months, has now extended to four and the Department of Fisheries now has to review the submissions and carry out meetings, all which will not be completed before Christmas,” he said.

Peter Hitchins, a regular diver at South West Rocks, one of the finest spots for scuba diving in Australia, says that fishing baits can be deadly to the grey nurse sharks. “We want fishing restrictions speedily re-introduced in these key grey nurse shark breeding areas that are recognised as the greatest aggregation point for this species on the east coast of South West Rocks,” he pleaded.

“This is a critically endangered species we are dealing with,” he added, “and it is morally wrong to be cruelly impacting upon them in the manner that the revocation of the protection allows.”