Members of the Nature Coast Marine Group (NCMG) are urging people to have their say during the public consultation period for the draft Network Marine Park Management Plan.
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All five mainland marine parks, Batemans, Jervis Bay, Port Stephens - Great Lakes, Solitary Islands, and Cape Byron, are being considered under the new plan.
Bill Barker, a member of the Nature Coast Marine Group and former member of the Batemans Marine Park Advisory Committee said, "The announcement of public consultation on the draft Network Marine Park Management Plan is an important and long-overdue step.
"For over 10 years now, the State Government has progressively weakened the Batemans Marine Park, not only by reducing resources and staffing but by deliberately cutting back the effectiveness of its protection of marine habitats.
"This consultation will give people the opportunity to make it clear to government that they want a vibrant and well-resourced marine park, one that will promote the flourishing of marine life and habitats into the future."
Independent NSW MLC Justin Field said, "since the Liberals and Nationals came to government in 2011 they have cut protections to the marine environment in NSW and this new draft plan offers little to think that trend will be reversed.
"Today just six per cent of NSW coastal waters is fully protected in marine sanctuaries. The community understands that just like on land in our National Parks it makes sense to put aside areas in the ocean for protection. Six per cent is simply not enough to protect the marine environment from the increasing threats it is facing.
"The Government is continuing the current amnesty that allows illegal fishing in five marine sanctuaries across the Batemans Marine Park including the globally recognised Montague Island, making a mockery of its claims this network plan will be guided by science and not politics.
"Fully protected marine sanctuaries offer the best protection from the cumulative threats to the marine environment including climate change, extreme storms, overfishing and pollution and I expect the community will advocate strongly for improved protections as part of this consultation," he said.
NCMG member, Fiona McCuaig said that marine sanctuaries are an important zoning in the Batemans Marine Park with huge support for them in the local community.
"The Paddle Out at Bar Beach at the end of last year saw 300-400 people come to show support for our precious sanctuaries with a mix of families, business people and fishermen.
"At the end of the day, everyone is on the same page, we all want a healthy Marine Park - full of biodiversity and lots of fish.
"We want to make it the best Marine Park in the state - a Marine Park that attracts visitors to the area to experience its unique biodiversity.
"Eco-tourism is a large contributor to the local economy as the visitors stay overnight, eat and drink at the cafes and restaurants and support local businesses.
"Marine Sanctuaries are an important part of a healthy marine park as they allow fish to grow large in size which then spawn tens of thousands of eggs and larvae that flow not only within the marine sanctuary but also outside, so other areas are populated also.
"At the end of the day, everyone is on the same page - we all want more fish," she said.
Have your say on the new draft management plan for the NSW mainland marine park network at yoursay.marine.nsw.gov.au
