The NSW State government has reduced protections for 10 of 30 marine sanctuary areas along the NSW coast, including four in the Eurobodalla.
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The Coalition Government reduced protection by allowing line fishing from beaches and headlands in 30 marine sanctuaries along the NSW Coast in 2013 pending a review.
The ban was restored to 20 sanctuaries in 2014 while the status of the other 10 was the subject of a review that resulted last Friday in a decision to permanently reduce protections.
Environment groups believe the move will damage the wider marine environment.
“The government has just halved the length of coastline with the highest level of environmental protection from 87km to just 43km,” Nature Conservation Council Campaigns Director Daisy Barham said.
“This decision is a blow for marine conservation and for coastal communities whose economies rely on marine parks and the presence of a healthy marine environment.
“Marine sanctuaries are essential for protecting marine life and the coastal lifestyles that make NSW such a great place to live.”
“Unfortunately, it appears Premier Berejiklian has again ignored scientific advice on an important conservation issue and made a decision for short-term political gain.”
However, the NSW Department of Primary Industries said they had done a thorough risk assessment of the impact of shore-based recreational fishing on the environment.
"The rezoning of 10 beach and headland sites across NSW to continue to allow shore-based recreational line fishing concludes a process that began in 2013,” a spokesperson said.
"In providing their advice, the independent Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel used a threat and risk based approach to assess 30 sites.
“This included a risk assessment of ecological values from shore-based recreational fishing activities on ocean beaches and headlands in sanctuary zones, a survey of social values of these areas, and an assessment of economic costs.
"Separate technical reports are available online on the economic, social and ecological components conducted as part of this overall assessment.
"The process also included several rounds of community engagement. All community feedback was carefully considered when drafting management rules to allow shore-based recreational line fishing at these 10 sites."
The Eurobodalla sites affected by the change are: North Head, Congo Point South Beach and Mullimburra Point to Bingie Beach, Brou Beach, Bullengella Beach and Bogola Head Beach to Loader Beach.
