Independent Scientific Audit of
Marine Parks in NSW
PO Box H292, Australia Square NSW 1215
Email: Secretariat@marineparksaudit.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.marineparksaudit.nsw.gov.au
Workshop 10b
Summary
10.40am–12.40pm, Tuesday 29 November 2011
Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park Office
12B Teramby Road
Nelson Bay NSW
Attendees:
Assoc Prof Bob Beeton, Chair
Prof Colin Buxton
Mr Greg Cutbush
Prof Peter Fairweather
Assoc Prof Emma Johnston
Ms Petrina Alcock, Secretariat Manager
Dr Fiona Powell, Secretariat
Dr Bob Creese, Department of Primary Industries
Mr Bill Talbot, Department of Primary Industries
Mr Peter Gallagher, Department of Primary Industries
Mr Geoff Ross, Office of Environment and Heritage
Ms Clare Murphy, Office of Environment and Heritage
Apologies:
Dr Roberta Ryan
The views expressed at all workshops are those of the individual participants. They do not
necessarily reflect the views of the NSW Government, the views of all the workshop participants or
the views of the Audit Panel.
Page 1 of 5
The Chair welcomed attendees, provided a background to the Audit and explained Audit
procedures.
Participants discussed how marine parks contribute to threatened species management. It was
suggested marine parks assist with managing the critically endangered east coast population of
Carcharias taurus (Grey Nurse Shark). This shark is associated with heavily used fishing areas. It
was suggested that hook and line fishing with bait is the major known source of human induced
mortality of grey nurse sharks and that research has shown lower rates of hooked sharks in
protected areas compared to sites open to fishing.
Participants indicated a review of Grey Nurse Shark protection is presently underway. Participants
suggested there are still Grey Nurse Shark aggregation sites exposed to medium and high risk
fishing methods; such sites include Fish Rock and Mermaid Reef.
It was suggested approximately 1.5, 1 and 12 Grey Nurse Shark are killed each year by shark
meshing, spearfishing and hook and line fishing respectively. Participants indicated deaths from
hook and line fishing are probably higher but data are only as good as the reporting and largely
dependent on the recovery of carcasses.
It was suggested individual Grey Nurse Sharks are accidentally hooked away from, as well as at,
aggregation sites. It was further suggested that even if all aggregation sites were protected the Grey
Nurse Shark population may continue to decline because of the very low birth rate. Participants
suggested current accepted estimates of the eastern population of the Grey Nurse Shark suggested
fewer than 1500 individuals remained.
Participants indicated there are currently 10 critical habitat sites listed in NSW. Of these six are in
marine parks, including five in sanctuary zones and one in a habitat protection zone. The other four
critical habitat sites are outside the marine protected areas network and are open to most forms or
recreational hook and line fishing methods. It was suggested fishing controls are not popular and in
fact are vigorously opposed, however, the Grey Nurse Shark would benefit from additional
protection outside of marine parks. It was suggested marine parks and fishing controls are
complimentary approaches.
Participants discussed Achoerodus viridis (Blue Groper). It was suggested the Blue Groper is not
considered threatened. It was growth overfished in the past but is now protected from commercial
and spearfishing and has responded well, with very big groper being recorded in protected areas.
Participants discussed the vulnerable Epinephelus daemelii (Black Cod). It was explained a
recovery plan has been released for this species, which is most threatened by hook and line fishing.
It was suggested that marine protected areas and the Marine Parks Authority have a role in the
implementation of around 12 of the 25 recovery actions. Participants indicated it is too soon to
determine whether existing marine parks have aided recovery of the species. The Black Cod is also
vulnerable to recreational fishing including spearfishing, and barotrauma after accidental capture on
hook and line fishing gear.
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Participants discussed research by Dr Sandra Diamond and the Department of Primary Industries
into barotrauma and it was suggested deep release techniques should be a high research priority to
determine whether they work for NSW species.
Participants suggested bycatch reduction strategies would assist the Black Cod. It was further
suggested this species is best managed through both fisheries and marine parks legislation.
Participants suggested there is insufficient data to determine whether a marine park in the greater
Sydney region would benefit the Black Cod. It was suggested some other protected species like the
Blue Groper are not easily caught anyway (except by spearfishing). It was suggested that 3 or 4
other fish species may have characteristics similar to the Black Cod: a vulnerability to barotrauma
and strong site fidelity. However, the Black Cod is the only such fish to be formally listed as
threatened because its distribution centres on NSW, whereas other similar fish have more tropical
distributions.
Participants discussed the endangered Nereia lophocladia (a brown alga). It was suggested the
alga could not be found after a significant storm event at Coffs Harbour. It was only known from two
sites around Muttonbird Island and has not been found in recent surveys. It is likely that it will be
listed as a species presumed extinct in the near future. Due to its iridescent colouring, collection is
also a potential threat.
It was suggested several extinctions (or at least dramatic reductions in abundances) may have
occurred due to anti-fouling paints in major ports like Sydney Harbour, for example a species of
marine worm, and that impacts depend on distributions.
Participants indicated that species listed with fishing as a key threat include the presumed extinct
Pristis zijsron (Green Sawfish), the critically endangered Grey Nurse Shark, the endangered
Southern Bluefin Tuna, the vulnerable Carcharodon carcharias (Great White Shark) and Black Cod.
It was suggested Megaptera novaeangliae (Humpback Whales) are being entangled in fishing gear.
Participants indicated the Department of Primary Industries was working with the Commonwealth
government in the review of the National Grey Nurse Shark Recovery Plan.
Participants discussed resourcing of threatened species management and research. It was
suggested significant resources would be required, for example, to identify spawning areas for the
Black Cod. It was suggested recovery plans and threat abatement plans can still be prepared but
the focus has shifted to the Priorities Action Statement, which may still recommend preparation of a
recovery plan. Participants explained neither recovery plans nor the Priorities Action Statement
trigger additional funding.
Participants indicated marine parks protect habitats and important places for other threatened and
protected species such as marine turtles and seals.
It was suggested that ecosystem type approaches may be more efficient than species based
approaches for conserving biodiversity, but that both are required.
Page 3 of 5
Participants discussed how some species will always be difficult to manage. The endangered
Smeagol hilaris (a marine slug), which is now thought extinct, was discussed. The slug is
considered as a ‘narrow range endemic’ that inhabited cracks on gravel beaches on the south
coast.
It was suggested excessive resources have been put into managing the Grey Nurse Shark, possibly
at the expense of other species. For instance, significant resources were put into a Grey Nurse
Shark breeding program when, it was suggested, there was little potential of short term benefits.
Participants suggested threatened species management was most successful when implemented in
conjunction with the community.
Participants discussed marine mammal and turtle management, indicating there are presently two
marine turtle projects underway and populations of pinnipeds are increasing. It was further
suggested seals may impact on fisheries and tourism as populations regain former distributions.
Participants indicated that the Office of Environment and Heritage (National Parks and Wildlife
Service) and Department of Primary Industries should seek to work together on a community
education program for fishers and other marine recreational users. Participants discussed a recent
incident of a seal being harpooned near Newcastle and illegal attempts to cull seals on Montague
Island.
Participants also discussed the current poor condition and high mortality of turtles, which may be
due to high turbidity and subsequent loss of sea grass habitat in Queenland waters. It was
suggested the in NSW marine turtles suffer high rates of entanglement in recreational fishing gear
and vessel collisions. At some locations reduction of vessel speeds appears to have decreased
turtle-vessel collisions.
Participants suggested that when marine parks were managed under the Office of Environment and
Heritage, park staff were trained for whale disentanglement and oil spill wildlife recovery. Now that
marine parks are managed under the Department of Primary Industries cooperation between the
two departments is necessary for experienced OEH persons to continue training marine park staff.
It was further suggested both agencies will need to work with fewer resources in the future.
Shorebirds and pipis were discussed, and the effectiveness of Coastal Zone Management Plans.
Participants suggested that given the threats to the marine environment and that marine parks are
but one tool in the management of the marine environment, a whole of government approach is
necessary. Therefore, joint management of marine parks should continue in order to provide a
holistic view and the best outcomes for marine park management.
Some participants suggested a suite of measures to improve management of the marine
environment, including:
 expanding the role of the Marine Parks Authority to terrestrial environments adjacent to
marine parks
 additional measures to manage acid sulphate soils
 adopting a user-pay system.
Page 4 of 5
The Chair closed the workshop at 12.40pm.
Supplementary workshop material participants offered to provide:
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Bansemer & Bennett, 2010, Retained fishing gear and associated injuries in the east
Australian Grey Nurse Sharks: Implications for population recovery
2011 Black Cod Recovery Plan
Review of the Grey Nurse Shark in NSW
A list of Grey Nurse Shark sites outside of marine parks that would benefit from protection
A list of alternative management strategies for improving the management of the NSW
marine environment.
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