Supporters of the Batemans Marine Park will rally in Bodalla on Sunday, May 27, to discuss a new management plan due to be introduced.
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Rally organiser Gillianne Tedder said the Ocean Care Day event would discuss NSW Government reforms.
“In February this year a group of people from many different community organisations including the Nature Coast Marine Group and the Eurobodalla Greens got together in Moruya to discuss responses to the NSW Government’s program of works to implement their marine estate management reforms,” Ms Tedder said.
“Batemans Bay Marine Park is part of a pilot program which will see a new management plan applied to the marine park.
“We don’t know what form this management plan may take but we are concerned that protections will be reduced and there will be fewer no-take sanctuary zones.
“The breadth of stresses on the marine environment at the moment cannot be underestimated.
“Climate change is the single biggest threat to both the marine environment and our enjoyment of it.
“On top of that we’ve got pollution - particularly plastics, and over fishing, especially from industrial scale trawlers which severely affect us down here on the South Coast.
As a response to these concerns Fiona McCuaig volunteered to host a community event on Sunday, May 27, at the Bodalla Dairy Shed.
The event runs from 9am to 5pm, with discussions from 11am to 3pm.
"It's a day to celebrate marine life and its protection," Ms McCuaig said.
"We're appealing to the whole community to come along and listen to talks from from businesses, fishermen, scientists, indigenous locals and tourism operators about the economic value of keeping Batemans Bay Marine Park."
There'll also be a jumping castle and face painting for the kids, as well as live music and puppet shows.
“The Nature Coast Marine Group is also a big part of making the event happen,” Ms Tedder said.